Evening journal., 1919-08-29
LABOR HEADS JOIN
IN STEMMING CRISIS
Railroad Shopmen's S Unions
Urged to Delay Vote
on Strike
GIVE 90 DAYS TO CUT
HIGH LIVING COST

WASHINGTON, Aug. "a new eco
nomic and industrial policy for the
United states was launched late yes
terday when leaders OF labor gathered
in council here determined TO use then
efforts 70 obtain full cooperation With
the Government in holding wages al
their present level and the bringing
down OF the high cost OF living.
Leaders OF the federated railroad
shop unions sent a message TO the
10000 men taking q strike vote urg-
ing that action be delayed TO await
the outcome OF the cost OF living
Tight This message was sent out
when il became evident that labor
leaders were prepared TO accept the
,ew idea and that the shopmen might
stand alone.
II was made clear that the new
policy is a Temporary and trial ono. II
il is not successful probably there VIII
ensue a general demand for highes
vases
The executive council OF the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor began lis
uuarterly session with President Com
pers presiding. Il took up immediate
" the pressing labor questions Of Inc
AOuT- IIEclutMh oNAA PCS A+NA+A~-
Washington from New York TO take
hand in their settlement
Advocates OF the Plumb plan for The
railroads, representatives of tho steel
workers and OF the Actors Equity
Association were heard. In each N
stance no official statement o. results
Uas made and comment was rsfused.
Mr. Gompers said after Inc nnal
l.. .rr,tt1A ma axe Efaff-
mept last night. he indicated he m'sit
jssne one today on the pressing prob
lens involved.
n is understood that the head Of
oresnized labor has taken a dennite
sland, and FASTENED TO Washington 10
check radicalism in the labor move
ment.
There was strong indication that the
big chief will refuse 10 accept tue
plumb plan. and that he Is supporting
the Administrations stand WIN re
snect 10 delay on strikes for more
wages until the results OF the cost 81
living campaign are known.
labor leadership is prepared iuug 10
support the new policy on IRA; ina, i
A will furnish a test Of leadership ana
fnn aDlIlLN OF uuluh hNeN'
their forces in line IS certain
II the new policy Is appheu eeeIs
where in the United States as seems
likely. it will mark new era. III s,,o
,ast all prire declines have Deen
sS.o,,rbt .hout by panic, lack OF pur-
1850, mower or lack OF demand The
,o,, rolicv will check rising costs.
Leaders Of railroad shop unions VINO
40 votinr on the question OF nation
wide strike in effect asked the men
,o- authority 20 delay action, even II a
sfrite was voted. Several local unions
bave already registered their vote, ana
a shows a majority for rejection OF
,he wage raise offered, which under
tbe halIot is a vote for a strike.
n NJ Jewell ana other representa-
4iyes OF the railroad shopmen con
fsrred with the executive council To-
dav After the conference letter was
sent 20 every railroad employe IN the
shop crafts embodying the views OF
the union president and the federation
Letter Sent TO ShOpmen.
II was in part as follows:
III must be understood that pracu-
caUy every class OF railroad employe mas
nresented demands for substantial IN
cresses in wages or has notified the ad-
minjstration OF the intention to do so
a, an early date. In effect II Is our
understanding that this letter is no
iice 10 all railroad employees that there
shall be no further general Increases In
railroad wages unless the efforts OF the
United States authorities prove unavail-
ing in reducing the present high cost
OF living.
"The federated shop trades represent
approximately % per cent. OF the total
number OF railroad employees. II must
he obvious that in the event living costs
are not reduced wage increases must
and will be made, and II that Is done IL
must also be obvious that the Railroad
Administration must give equal consid- |
Grafton 10 all classes Of employees.
AS YOU are well aware, President
stone Of the Brotherhood OF Locomotive
Engineers and President Lee OF the
Rrotherhood OF Railroad Trainmen are
on record TO the effect that wages must
so I'M or living costs go down. Coupled
Nth This fact practically 7s per cent. OF
the railroad employees have made re-
nuests for wage Increases that equal or
are greater than the requests submitted
by the federated shop trades.
"Thelr requests have been denied eX-
cent where it can be shown that they
have not been given relatively the same
consideration This means that only
adjustment OF inequalities VIII be made
where Il can be demonstrated that such
INEQUALITIES exist.
Biq Burden For Shopmen.
"If the federated shop trades strike
now they carry the full burden OF Sc
curing tho same general Increase for
the rs per cent. Of the railroad employees
who have not yet decided what action
they propose TO take. We do not be-
lIeve that we should allow ourselves to
be placed in that position.
IN our opinion, the next 20 days
will bring the entire situation TO a
head. and n a strike Is TO take place I
every class OF railroad employe should
be willing 20 ioin in the movement, :
share the full measure OF responsibility !
and not leave the issue 10 be decided by ]
the - per cent. Of the railroad en-
ployes represented by the federated '
trades.
The adjustment in wages that has {
been offered 20 the federated shop trades I
II accepted VIII establish increases that '
are practically equivalent TO the in I
creases granted any other class Of rail- :
road employees. This must not be lost
sight OF in considering the situation we. S
now face. II
III is conceivable that men may de- '
eide 10 do thing in manner that will {
lessen their chances OF ultimate success, /
but common sense dictates that p per {