The daily banner., 1919-08-27
S;IOpNEN TO
VOTE ON STRIKE
Reject the Increase Offered
by The President.
is PUT UP TO UNIONS
The Railway Leaders Order National
Strike Vote, But Forbit Any Pre-
mature Walk-outs.

Washington, Aug. 27.-The commit
tee Of one hundred, representing the
railroad shOpmen, informed the di-
rector general of railroads, Walker
ID. Hines, they could not accept as a
basis for settlement of their demands
the rates submitted to them by Presi-
dent Wilson.
The president offered the men an
average increase of about four cents
an hour on the basis of ten hours
pay for eight hours work, or daily
increase of forty cents. This was
| One-quarter the raise demanded by
the shopmen. In effect the terms pro-
posed the equalization of the shop
mems pay with that of other lines,
| previously granted increases.
Results of the negotiations were
| communicated TO the local unions
| throughout the country, with instruc-
tions that Il strike vote should be
| taken Immediately to determine
whether the presidents proposals
should be accepted.
Pending the issuance of an official
strike vote, it was urgently requested
by the international officers that all
| men should remain on the job.
Mr.. Hines, according to a letter
sent to the locals, told the committee
the proposal as presented by the
president was final. There would be
no wage increases granted to any
other class of railroad employees as a
class. Mr.. Hines said, but in the
event of unjust inequalities, as be-
| tween individuals, adjustments invo1v-
ing increases to equalize rates of pay
would be made where justified
The committee thereupOn informed
the locals the director general had
been advised his proposal could not
be accepted as basis by them The
committees letter says:
VIRTUALLY every class of railroad
emplOye has now submitted requests
for very substantial increases over
existing rates of pay. 1t is well our
members give very serious considera-
tion to this fact If there is to be
any additional general increase in the
wages Of railroad employees, the fed
Grated shop trades will receive the
same consideration. Don't fail TO give
this statement careful thought, and
don't forget if the federated shop
trades become involved in a strike
now you are striking alone to force
| an increase for the 100000 railroad
employees.
In view of the foregoing facts, the
statements contained in the presidents
letter and the responsibility that must
be assumed, if a suspension of work
| is to take place, your executive coun-
Gil had decided it would fail in its
| duty were it to authorize a strike un-
til the membership have had an op-
portunity to decide their course of
action on this proposition. 1t is nA
out intention to shirk any of our re-
SpOnsibilities as executive officers and
the wishes of constitutional major
1ty of the membership, expressed by
their vote as hereinafter directed, will
be carried out"
The letter then gives Instructions
for an immediate summoning of the
members of the various locals to take
a secret vote. 1t is pointed out that
owing to the large numbers involved,
1t must be understood the respective
| international organizations will not
be obliged to pay regular strike bene-
tits beyond the limits of the funds
available for that purpose.
| Ihn IipppfnP nf fha
roads requested the board of railway
wages and working conditions to take
up promptly any claims that have
been made or may be made by rail-
road employees for readjustments that
ought TO be made in order to make
sure that equal treatment is done on
the basis of the general principles of
wage adjustment which the railroad
/ administration has already establish
ad -