New-York tribune., 1919-10-23
Crisis
On Railroads
Is Predicted
Brotherhood Head Serves
Notice Demand of Men
Must Be Met Before the
Roads Are Turned Back

WASHINGTON, Oct %. - Railroad
employees are prepared for a finish
fight with the railroad administration
for increased wages, time and half
for overtime and improved working
conditions before the government sur
renders the roads to private control
Notice to this effect has been served
by Timothy Shea, of the firemen, ap-
pearing before the board of railway
wages and working conditions.
"1f our demands for q living wage
should not be met when the time ap-
proaches for turning back the railroads
to their private owners" Mr.. Shea said
in testimony which became public to-
night, eve shall demand as condition
precedent to the change the realization
of the fundamental rights of labor, the
living wage, the eight-hour day on all
Federal controlled roads, time and one
half for overtime, and other principles
to WHICH the government pledged itself
during the war, which have now been
made part Of the treaty of peace and
which SO far the railroad administra-
liOH mas never IuINlleO.
While Mr.. Shea was appearing on
behalf of the tiremen only, it has been
recognized generally that wage in
creases for any one class of railroad
employees meant an advance for all to
maintain equality between the workers.
Furthermore. Mr.. Shea said he antici-
pated that the failure of the govern
ment's efforts to reduce the cost of
living, which he frankly expected
would make necessary advances in pay
Tor all workers and predicted that by
November l the wage board would be
forced to consider further requests
for general increases" from railroad
employees.
Thus it is the view here that the
government, as operator of the rail
transportation system, will be face to
face in few weeks with virtually the
same labor crisis which arose ,Iurine
the summer. At that time President
Wilson denied the request of the shop
men for a general increase in pay on
the ground that the vicious circle" Of
rising wages and mounting prices had
to come to an end ard that the coun-
try should be given fair chance at
reconstruction after the war period.
How Director General Hines and his
assistants propose to meet the situa-
tion has not been divulged 1t is con-
sidered certain, however, that if any
wage advances are given, President
Wilson first will be consulted Rail
road administration officials declare
the relations with the union men have
never been so good as at present, and
in pointing to the last report of the
labor department, showing a decrease
of Is per cent in living costs in August
intimate that the impending crisis will
be solved in part by natural economic
forces, plus Attorney General Palmer's
efforts to take the imitation out of
prices.
Showdown" Believed Imminent
There were indications to-day of an
approaching Showdown" between the
railroad administration and the Broth
erhood of Railway Trainmen and En-
ginemen, who asked Increased wages
last summer. The report of the Wage
Board on the demands has been sent to
the Director General, who will meet
President W. G. Lee and his commit
tee next Wednesday. The committee
composed Of the sixteen general chair
men of districts and six officers of the
grand lodge, will have preliminary
meeting here Tuesday.
There is no ultimatum about our
meeting" President Lee said to-day,
and 1t does not necessarily involve a
strike, although the committee has been
given full power to take any steps nee
essary or desirable"
The shopmen, like the trainmen, have
given their committee full power to
call strike whenever it appears ad-
visable. 1t has been understood that
the officers would wait at least until
| December | to see results of the gov
J ernment's fight on high prices before
taking action.