Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-08-29

the rs per cent of the railroad en-
pioyes who have not yet decided what
action they propose to take. We 40
not believe that we should allow our
selves TO be placed In that position.
I'm our opinion. the next ninety days
will bring the entire situation To
head, and II n strike is 10 take plac.
every class OF railroad employees shouid
be willing 10 join In the movement
share their full measure OF response
bilIty, and not leave the issue to be ae-
cided by the 20 per cent Of he rail-
road employees represented by the ieh-
Grated trades. 80.
THE adjustment OF wages that hdS
been offered to the federated Shop
trades, II accepted. will estaplish IN
crcases that are practically cqnlNaieh'
10 the increases granted amy oShei
class of railroad employees. THIS must
not he lost sight of In considering me
situation we now face.
Appeal to Common Sense.
"It Ia conceivable tina. men may
decide t. do n thing in . manner mat
will essen theic cha ic-s OF ultimate
success but common sense dictates
that - per cent OF the railroad en-
nl,rns should not undertake ~ fiStl
u" tat,Ia for the * per cent who nave
cskrd for general wage increases ana
VIII, have. been denied, IS we nave
any further general increases ur',S'
tie .scor, 10 increase the purchasing
value of the dollar by reducing ii!ihe
costs Iruves unsuccessful
with a reasonable degree of GER
tainty. we recognize that this letter
coupled with the recommendation we
propose 10 make will draw criticisms
from the individuals in our 'organiZa-
tons who have not as yet Indicated
desire to listen to reason or abide ny
any criticism not Of their own making
Attacks Radical Element.
There is not now. nor has there
aver heen objection to honest criticism
Such criticism Is not objectionable; on
the contrary, II is welcome, ana '''''
comment is made for the express pur-
pose of directing the attention OF the
membership to members who have py
various means introduced methods OF
procedure which must appeal TO every
right thinking union man as Delni
detrimental to the organization lIial
we have perfected as the result OF
thirty years Untiring effort and gen
orally against every obstacle that could
be invented to defeat us.
In view of the facts, as above
stated, your executive officers and ma
tional agreement committee recon-
mended that the question of suspend
ing work be left in our hands with
the understanding that no strike ORDER
will be issued unless such action De
comes absolutely necessary to meet the
conditions arising from the present Sit
uation or in joint action with other
railroad organizations for d general
wage increase.
Strike Fatal Mistake.
The above recommendation is made
after mature elaboration and consid-
Grafton of all the elements entering
into this controversy. 1t is our hon
est judgment that fatal mistake
would be made by our members 10
assume the responsibility OF tieing up
the railroads at this time when the
president is evidently doing all pos
sible to reduce the high cost of living.
1T is but fair to assume that tha
president will have the loyal support
of a majority of the American puplic
in his effort to procure this much need
ed relief. We would. no doubt, De
charged with obstructing his efforts.
1T should be understood, however,
that If the government fails to effect
substantial reduction in the cost of liv-
ing within a reasonable time We re-
serve the right TO put the strike vote
into effect. .r
I'VE sincerely trust that the con
tents of this letter will be given the
consideration this important subject
merits" e.. ..-.
Signed by Seven Leaders.
The letter was signed by J. f. An
derson, International Association OF
Machinists; ]. NJ. Burns. Amalgamated
Sheet Metal Workers International
Association; F. c. Bolam, Information
al Brotherhood Of Blacksmiths and
Helpers; James p. Noonan. Interna-
tional Brotherhood of Electrical Work
ers; William Atkinson, International
Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron
Shipbuilders and Helpers Of America:
Martin F. Ryan, Brotherhood Railway
Carmen Of America. and Bert. NJ. Jew
ell, acting president railway employees
departEn ent, A. F. of l..
Participating in the conference with
President Gompers were Frank Morri-
son, secretary; Daniel j. Tobin, treas
urer, and Vice Presidents James Dun
can, Joseph F. Valentine, r A. Rick
EFT. William Green, Jacob Fisher, W.
D. Mahon, Frank Duffy, and Mathew
VOL.