The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1919-08-12

created for handling the grievances of
the shopmen's organization Of all the
railways, whether they had thereto
fore had the DEMENT'S of definite agree
ments or not. There can be no Ques-
ton, therefore, of the readiness of
the Government to deal in a spirit
of fairness and by regular methods
with any matters the men may bring
to their attention.
Concerned and very careful con-
sideration is being given by the en-
tire Government to the question of
reducing the high cost of living. 1
need hardly point out how init
mately and directly this matter af-
fects every individual in the nation,
and if transportation is interrupted
it will be impossible to solve it.
''This is time when every en-
ployee of the railways should help to
make the process of transportation
more easy and economical, rather
than less, and employees who are on
strikes are deliberately delaying a
settlement of their wage problems
and of the standard of living. They
should promptly return to work, and
l hope that you will urge upon their
representatives the immediate neces-
sity for their doing so.
Cordially and sincerely yours,
WOODROW WILSON,"
Director General Hines notified the
unions Immediately that the Railroad
Administration was ready to take up
the question, "as soon as the en-
ployees return to work."
In letter to B. w. Jewell, Acting
President of the Railway Employees
Department of the American Fedora
ton of Labor, Mr.. Hines said:
II inclose a letter which / just
have received from the President rel
ative to the wage matter. 1t is
obvious that it is of the highest i'm
portance, not only in the interest of
the public, but in the interest of the
employees themselves that they re-
turn to work Immediately.
1.-THE situation having been clari-
fed by the definite indication that
Congress does not wish to take action
in the premises, the Railroad Admin
istration stands ready to take up the
wage question on it's merits with the
duly accredited international officers
and their authorized committee as
soon as the employees return to
work.
The effect of the Presidents decis-
ion, it was believed, would be to put
a sudden end to sporadic strikes
throughout the country, denounced
to be illegal by union officials, but
involving perhaps 5000 men and to
some extent normal traffic,
1t was taken for granted also that
the menace of the general strike to
compel higher wages to meet increas-
ed living costs likewise was removed
by the Presidents action.
If Director General Hines orders
an increase in wages, since the
Railroad Administration now is oper-
ating at loss, either an advance in
rates or a Congressional appropria-
ton will be necessary to provide the
money. The IA principal railroad
unions in joint communication to
the Director General have suggested
the latter.
Preceding the making public of
the Presidents letter by only a few
hours was an announcement by ]. J.
Forester, President of the Brother
hood of Clerks, Freight, Express and
Steamship Employees, that the $780,
600 men of the union would begin
balloting Friday as to whether they
should strike Immediately or wait
further Government action.
Wage demands were submitted by
the 100000 shopmen last February,
but other pressing matters before the
Board of Wages and Working COndi-
tions affecting employees who previ-
ouSly had not received considerable
delayed decision until July Is, and
then the Board divided, three hold
ing that the increases should not be
granted and three holding that addi-
tional pay was justified. The amount
asked for was 25 per cent.
Conferences between the shopmen's
officers and the Director General were
but even before they could
be held men began to go on strike,
which led the President to devote
portion of his letter to
condeming their hasty action, which
agreements.
Other unions also put in demands |
for more pay, with the exception of
the engineers, who said they prefer
red a reduction in the cost of living. |
In the face of growing deficit, Mr.. |
Hines had no funds to pay more |
wages. The Senate had passed the |
bill restoring the right of the Inter-
state Commerce Commission to re-
view rates initiated by the Director |
and as it was receiving ia |
vorable consideration in the House he |
to the President that Con-
gress should create a commission to |
order any wage and rate increases.
The suggestion was transmitted to /
the two Interstate Commerce Com