Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-12-27
MACHINISTS WILL
STRIKE IF BILL
ACTUALLY PASSES
One Clause in Cummins Bill Is
Deeply Resented BY Labor
and Showdown Is Certain
To Occur.
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Washington. Dec 26-Organized
railway machinists through their
| president, served notice on congress
today that they would not submit to
enactment of the Cummins railroad
bill, with its drastic anti-strike pro-
vision.
Voting more than a month ago, 9S
per cent of the 125,000 members OF
the union favored an immediate walk
out in event of the bill's passage by
both houses of congress, but the re-
suit was not made known through
fear that the brotherhoods might ap-
pear in the light of attempting to
ccerce the law making branch of the
government.
The machinists according to WILL
lam II. Johnston, president of the In
ternattonal association. are the only
railway employees who have taken
strike vote, but the heads OF all the
brotherhoodS, fourteen in all, have
been summoned to meet here Monday
to consider pending railway legisla-
ton and define precisely their posi-
ton on the clause in the Cummins
bill, which would prevent strikes and
put strikers in Jail.
Call Issued BY Gompers.
The call for the conference was is
sued by Samuel Gompers, president
of the American Federation of Labor
but Mr.. Gompers and other leaders
refused to discuss probable action by
the brotherhood leaders. President
Wilson'S Christmas eve announce
ment that the roads would be handed
back to their owners March was
distinct disappointment to labor lead
ers who had been pleading for Il two
year extension of government control, !
They agree, however, that If the
roads were to go back it was a good
thing to let it be known.
fHlnTn nn ffI pfI
house and senate conferees who have |
been assigned the stupendous job of
trying TO frame new railroad bill |
out of the Esch and CumminS meas
ures
In Earnest Next Week.
This work. however, will begin next |
week, IN the hope OF formal enact
mont of railroad legislation some |
time i'm the next two months The |
anti-strike section Is known to be the |
main point of difference and while |
II was left intact in the bill passed by |
the senate, house leaders frankly eX- |
pressed doubt today whether the |
house would accept It, At all events,
and representatives alike are
anxious TO hear from the brother
hood meeting Monday, without indi-
eating change in their own positions /
by reason of any declaration of prin-
ciples from organized employees of the |
'pucerned the labor section will not /
be considered until they have reachedl
an agreement ON all other disputed
luestions
The machinists membership Is
lrOund half million, but not more
han l25.000 Of this number are en-
Dloyed on railroads.
President Johnston explained that
he strike vote stipulated that union
'ailway machinists would quit work If
he Cummins bill was passed by both
ranches of congress, not by one.
'When the roads were taken over
~ the government the employees were
rec, Mr.. johnson said, "and we
propose that If they are turned back
o private ownership, the employees
hall be equally free. There is no
lecessity for such drastic legislation
IS Is provided for in the Cummins
ill. There never HAS been a general
ailroad strike and there never will
'e. in my opinion"
So far as labor officials are advise
hey will not be given another hear
ng by senate or house committees,
Dut they will keep, up the fight against
he anti-strike section, 1t was said
nd appeal finally to President Wilson
0 veto the bill II IL should be enacted
With that clause intact.
President Johnston said that no
ther trades that would be affected
" the anti-strilSe section of the bill
lad taken vote, so far as he had
een advised.