Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-08
TO DECIDE CLAIMS OF SHOP
: WORKERS ON THEIR MERITS

f. hardly poin; on, how intimately and
: directly this matter affects every in
: rurtat:on IS interrupted: il will be inn
possible 10 solve il. This is a time
WIN, whnn every very ,empioyee Of the railways
transportation more easy and cconomi-
cal rather than less. and EMPLOYEES
laying a SETTLEMENT OF their wage
problems and of their standard of liv-
Ing. They should promptly return 10
work. and ] hope that you will urge
diate ncct sslty for their doing so.
Cordially .I And T!Rss,ely w yo s6x.
D!rector-General Hines notified the
unions Immediately that the railroad
adm:nistrat!on was ready, to take up
return 10 work.
Hines Notifies Jewell.
In a letter TO B. NJ. Jewell, acting
president Of The railway employees
department OF the american Fedora
In enclose a letter which l have
Just received from the President rela-
tive tt. the wage matter. 1t is obvious
that II is OF the highest importance
net only in the interest of the public,
. sssIH 1stur0 that ,nex s4al immya
having been clarified by the definite
indica tinn tina Congress does not wish
, 70 tdAe dCtlOn IN the premises, the
Railroad Administration stands ready
merits wyi:h the duly accredited Inter:
national cifccrs and their authorized
committee as soon as the employees
return TO work"
siny Put End TO Strike
The effect OF ihe Presidents decision.
It was believed. would be 10 put a sud
the country denounced as illegal by
union officials. but involving perhaps
10000 men and to some extent normal
frame, II was taken for granted also
compel higher wages to meet in
creased living costs likewise was re-
moyeG by the Presidents action.
}: D!!ecior-General Hines orders an
inSIeaSe IN wages, since the Railroad
Administration Is now operating al a
G l1ss; ei her. an advance in rates or
neccssar! 10 provide the money The
fourteen principal railroad unions in a
Joint communication 10 the director
general have suggested the latter
Preceding. the making public OF the
l'Eesidents letter by only a few hours
Vas va IN, nes a;snnounecmsn, BY J. j. Forces.
-.SIerKS; Freight ENprcss and Steam.
ship Employees. that the 10000 men
o. me union woulh begin oallot!ng 10.
strike immedIaialy V- await furth.-
q governmental action
Made Demand in February.
wage demands We're submitted by
'ans coo 900 shopmen last February, but
Board 81 Wages and Work pTloF C. ne
tons affecting employees who had MOI,
pleSiousiy received consid Iteration. de.
]. t bsn ne f acc, unt.i July lls, and
tha&~Nthh increases should not he
granted and three holding that add.
.ionai pay was justified. The amount
asked was % per cent
conferences between tho shonmen's
olncers and the director-generaI wero
a!FAhEeo, but even before they could
,'h men began 10 so on strike,
Whicn !ed the President 10 devote a
cons!deraole portion of his letter -
eondtnninS Their has:y action wbicb
violated al agreements
Other unions also nut in d.,nanas
Ior more pay. with the cxcentinn of
the enEinecrs. who said they prtfrr-cd
retoucuon IN the cost of living. In
me race OF a growing deficit Mr. uircu
bad no funds 20 pay more warrs ''! Tbs
iSenate had PASSED the bill rcstorinr
itG re LET; OF lhe Interstate Commerce
by the D!!ecto!-Gencral and as !, 49,.
,receNlng favorable consideration in
NE mouse, ne suggested to the Prcsi.
gent that Congress should create :,
com mission 20 order any wars "a 4
rate increases. vase ana
rnts 1t Up to President.
~ ne suggestion was transferred to
ne '"o interstate Commerce Commit.
.1erred The was. problem 10 tho '' SmSr
-T Congress untii Senator Cmn,, r'n"'
rsaply today gave it back 10 the ch;cf
10 how Mr.. Hines would proceed ~ 10
. ..s ss,ttlernent OF the wage demands in
$780,, OF me WaEs boards previous CON
..ssiioers'ioh OF the question il was he.
..ueSeo that new tribunal would be
',conStituted for the purpose win nr,',I
rspresentatton for labor. the railroads