The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-08-26
STRIKE VOTE
IS ASKED BY
COMMITTEE
Referendum on Compromise
Wage to Be Taken.
DIRECTOR HINES NOTIFIED
Pending Outcome Of Vote,
Men TO Stay on Jobs.
By The Associated Press.

CBy The Associated Press.)
WASHINGTON. d, Aug. N.-The
committee Of 100 representing the
railroad shopmen, informed Director
General Hines today that they could
not accept as . basis Of settlement Of
their demands the rates submitted to
them yesterday by President Wilson.
Results OF the negotiations here
were communicated to the union locsla
throughout the country with in
structions that a strike vote should be
taken Immediately to determine
whether the presidents proposals
should be accepted. Pending The is-
suancc OF an official strike vote. 4
was urgently requested by the interna-
,ional officers that all mefoshould re-
main on the job
Director General Hines, according
to a letter sent to the locals, told
the committe that the proposition ~
presented by the president was final
and that there would be no wage in
creases granted to any other class
Of railroad employees, as a class, but
in the event Of unjust inequalities,
as between individuals, adjustments
involving increases to equalize rates
of pay would be made where iusti-
fled.
| Offer 10 Rejected.
The committee thereupon informe /
the locals that the director general
had been advised that his proposition
, cosld not Be accepted o. . 6ssis of
settlement BY them and continued
i Practically every class Of rsilroad
employees have now submitted requests
for very substantial increases over ex-
isting rates Of pay. II ID we'll thst our
members give very serious considcfa-
I tion TO this fact il there is 10 be any
additional general increase in the
wages of railroad employees, the fed
Grated shop trades will receive the
same consideration. Don't fail 10 give
This state careful thought and don't
forget that if the federated shop
trades become involved in a strike
move, you are striking alone 20 force
an increase for the 100000 railroad
employees.
"ln view Of the foregoing facts, the
statements contained in the presidents
letter and the responsibility that must
be assumed, II a suspension OF work
is to take place, your executive coun-
Gil has decided that II would fail IN
its duty were il to authorize a strike
until the membership have had an op-
portunity to decide their course OF ac-
tion on this proposition. II is not our
intention to shirk any OF our respon-
sibilities as executive officers and the
wishes of . constitutional majority o.
the membership expressed by these
votes as hereinafter directed, will b
carried OUT
Secret Vote Asksd.
The letter then gives instructions
for an immediate summoning Of ths
members OF the various locals 10 take
secret vote. II was pointed %',l
that owing to the large numbers IN
volyed. it must be understood that the
respective international organizations
would not he obliged 10 paw regulas
strike benefits beyond the limits oi
the funds available for that purpose,
Director General Hines today 70.
quested the board of railway wases
and working conditions TO take q
promptly any claims that have bee,
made or may be made by raileoa4
employees for readjustments thGl
"ough, 10 be made in order 10 NAH
sure that equal treatment 10 done n
the basis OF the general primeipleI
of wage adjustment which the Saii
road administration has already 60
tzblished." 5tfs "
The decision announced Yesterday
by which shopmcn will receive On IN
crease of four cents an hour. Was sai'
TO have been one step IN carrying ou
| this rplicy