The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-08-05
STRIKING R. R.
SHOPMENSAY
ENGINES ARE
UNINSPECTED

Charges that inspection laws Of the
Interstate Commerce Commission are
being violated in the running Of
trains out of Washington were made
by the striking railway shOpmen 20
e day.
They say no inspection is being
made of the engines, and no repairs
are being made on them after the
runs.
Strike-breakers have been import
: ed from Wilmington and other cities
by the Washington Terminal Com
pany, the strikers allege, but these
men refused to go to work when they
learned of the local situation.
Both sides held their lines I'M
+. broken in the strike today.
No Additions To Ranks.
Rumors of settlement and OF a re-
turn to work filled the air, but could
not be verified. There were no acces-
sions to the ranks of the crafts which
the strikers that not q single man in
the four crafts affected is now at
work. and that the general foreman
is cleaning fires in the repair shop,
while the master mechanic is shovel
ing ashes.
There will be a meeting OF one or
more Of the crafts this afternoon to
canvass the entire situation. In the
meantime the officials Of the Railway
Employees Department of the Aneri-
can Federation Of Labor are bending
every effort to persuade the men to
return to work. -.- -.,
They are not communicating with
the local men directly. but with the
vice chairmen of the crafts selected
on the different roads.
Al r. of L. Sees Strike End.
The A. F. of L officials are confident
that the spread of the shipments
strike over the country has been
checked, and say that numbers of
them already. have returned to work
pending the determination Of the ma
tional strike vote.
J. J. Forester, grand president Of
the brotherhood of the $4,000 railway
clerks, freight handlers, express and
station employees will confer with Di-
rector General Hines, Of the Railroad
Administration, this afternoon in ref
eFence to the wage demands Of the
men.
J. E. BuckIin, roundhouse foreman,
and J. J. Desmond, gang foreman,
have been appointed committee on
publicity by the strikers. Mr.. Buck
lin says the trouble in Washington is
due to Director General Hines. who
has authority To grant the increase
the men are asking.
Train Keep On Schedule.
The strike of railroad shopmen in
Washington failed to interior with
service here today
Trains are moving on schedule |
tune. and officials are hopeful no
trouble in the handling of the terni- !
nal business win be experienced.
Terminal officials are confident the |
backbone Of the strike will be broken |
within the next few days Official
notification came from the officials of |
the Railway Employees Department /
of the American Federation of. Labor |
to the officers today that the strike /
was called in contraYention Of ma
tional policy pending the determina-l
ton of the strike ballot. and ordering
the men to return TO work.
The reply Of the local crafts to
this order, including the machinists.
boilermakers, sheet and metal work /
ers and blacksmiths, has not been
determined upon.
Officials and office clerks to the
extent of nearly 100 donned overalls
at the Terminal last night in an eff
fort to keep trains moving. While
all repair work has ceased the move
Tnent Of traffic has not yet been af-
fected.