The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-10-26
ACUTE SITUATION PROM.
ISES TO DEVELOP WITH
IN NEXT FEW
MONTHS
FIGHT TO FINISH
Notice Given Board of Railway
Wages by Timothy Shea,
Head Of The Fire
men

WASHINGTON, oct. 22.-Ra lroa,
employees are prepared for a finisl
fight with the railroad admiristratio
for increased wages, time and a hal
overtime end improved working con
ditions before the government sur
renders the roads to private control,
UnmistakaLle notice to this effect
has been served by Timothy Shea, o.
board of railway wages and working
conditions.
"If our demands for n living wage
should not be met when the time ap-
proa2hcs for tuInisg back the rail.
roads to their private owners Mr.
Shea said in testimony which became
public tonight, 1--WE shall demand Us
condition pcccdent to the change
the realization of the fundamental
rights Of labor, the living wages, the
eight-hour day ON all federal con
trollcd roads, time and onc-half foI
overtime aad ether principles to whiel
the government pledged itself during
the war, which have now been made
a part Of the treaty Of peace anf
which so far the railroad administra
ton has never fulfilled"
While Mr.. Shea was appealing or
behalf Of the firemcn ully, it has beer
recognized generally that wage in.
creases for any one class Of railroads
employees meant an advance for all
to maintain equality Between tho
workers. Furthermore, Mr.. Shea said
he anticipated that the failure of TIE
governments effots to reduce the
cost of living, which he frankly ex.
pocted, would make necessary ad
vance in pay for all workers and pre-
dicted that by Nov. / the wage board
would be forced to consider further
requests for general increases from
railroad employees.
Thus it is the view here that the
as operator Of the rail
transportation system, will be face
to face in a few weeks with virtually
the same labor crisis which arose dur
ing the Summer. At that time, Presi
dent Wilson deried the request Of the
shopmen for a general increase in
pay on the ground that the vicious
.ircle" Of rising wages aai mounting
prices had to come to an end and that
he country should be given a fan
.hance at reconstruction after the wal
period
How Director General Hnes and his
assistants propose to meet the situa.
Jon has not been divulged. It is con
idered certain, however, that il any
wage advances are given, President
Wilson first viii be consulted Rail.
cad administration officials declare
he relations with the union mon have
lcver been so good at present and ir
pointing to the last report Of the labor
showing a decrease of 15
,er cent in living costs in August, IN
mated that the impending crisis will
g solved in part by naural economic
orces, plus Attorney General Palmer's
fforts to take the initiation out Of
,rices.
There were Indications today Of ar
pproaching showdown between the
abroad administration and the
Brotherhood Of Railway Trainmcl anC
nginemeH who asked increased wage
asst summer The report of the wage
oard on the demands has been sent
o the director general who will meet
resident W. G. Lee and his committee
ext Wednesday The committee, COM
osed Of the rs general chairmul of
istricts and six Officers Of the grand
odCe, viii hold a preliminary meeting
ere Tuesday