The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1919-08-12
at;on IF the authority of the repre-

alton of the authority OF the repre-
sentatives of the organization con-
cerned, there can be no consideration
of the matter in controversy. Until
the employees return to work and
again recognize the authority of their
organization, the whole matter must
be at a standstill.
'When federal control of the rail-
roads began, the railroad administra-
ton accepted existing agreements be-
tween the shopmen's organization
and the several railroad companies
and by agreement machinery was
created for handling the grievances
of the shopmen's organization OF all
the railways, whether they had here
tofore had the benefits of definite
agreements or not. There can be no
question, 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 consideration is being
given by the entire government to
the question of reducing the high
cost of living. I need hardly point
out how intimately and directly this
matter affects every individual in the
nation, and if transportation is in
terrupted, it will be impossible to
solve it. This is a time when every
employee of the railways should help
to make the processes of transporta-
ton more easy and economical rather
than less, and employees who are on
strikes are deliberately delaying a
settlement of their wage problems
and of their 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.
"COrdlally and sincerely yours,
Woodrow Wilson"
Hines Takes Action.
Director General Hines notified
the unions Immediately that the rail-
road administration was ready to
take up the question ''as soon as the
employees returned to work." in
letter to B. M. Jewell, acting presi-
dent of the railway employees de-
partment of the American Federation
of Labor. Mr.. Hines said:
81 enclose a letter which / have
just received from the president re-
lative to the wage matter. 1t is OBJ
vious that it is of the highest import
ance not only in the interest of the
public but in the interest Of the en-
ployees themselves that they shall i'm
mediately return to work. The stu
alton having been clarified by the
definite indication that congress does
not wish to take action in the prem
isses, the railroad administration
stands ready to take up the wage
question on it's merits with the duly
accredited interna ional officers and
their authorized committee as soon
as the employees return to work"
The effect of the presidents de-
cision it was believed, would be to
put sudden end to sporadic strikes
throughout the country, denounced
as illegal by union officials but in
volving perhaps $4,000 men and to
some extent normal traffic. 1t was
taken for granted also that the men
ace of a general strike to compel
higher wages to meet increased living
costs likewise was removed by the
presidents action. If Director Cen
eral Hines orders an increase in
wages since the railroad administra-
ton now is operating at loss either
an advance in rates or COMPRESSION
al appropriation will be necessary to
provide the money. The IA principal
railroad unions in a joint communi-
cation to the director general have
suggested the latter.
Preceding the making public of
the presidents letter by only few
hours was an announcement by J. j.
Forester, president of the Brother
hood of Clerks, Freight, Express anil
Steamship employees, that the $780,
900 men of the union would begin
balloting tomorrow as to whether
they should strike Immediately or
await further government action.
Wage demands were submitted by
the 100000 shopmen last February,
but other pressing matters before the
board of wages and working cond!-
+;o,e offoctino emnlovees V:ho had