The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-08
BIG Bail STRIKE



requests for more pay will be CON
Bill To Oppose Strikers.
A joint resolution declaring that a
state of anarchy exists in the United
States and authorizing the president
to free interstate mails and traffic
from further unlawful interference
and to adequately protect citizens in
their property rights" was introduced
Democrat, Texas.
Hines Has Full Power.
The president in a letter to Rail
Director Hines told him to take up
the wage question without further
authority from congress, but also told
him there would be no dealings with
the employees until the railroad shop
men, who walked out without the
sanction of their leaders, went back to
their jobs.
Mr.. HINES is understood to consider
that two main points are involved in
the settlement of wage demands:
First, how much has the cost of liv-
ing increased beyond the increase in
wages, and second. what are the
wages being paid in other industries
for the same classes of work.
B. NJ. Jewell. acting president of the
railway department of ithe American
Federation of Labor, has telegra phed
the shopmen asking them to resume
work SO a settlement of all the rail-
road employees wage demands will not
be delayed.
Answers to JEWELS appeal were
looked for today in the action of the
unauthorized strikers. If they go back
to work negotiations between the rail-
road administration and the employees
will proceed. Otherwise. according to
Wilson's letter, the government will
ignore the wage demands.
Leave Matter at StandstilI.
Until the employees return to work
and again recognize the authority of
their organization. the whole matter
must be at a standstill," wrote the
president. The letter emphasized that
the rail administration will deal only
of the unoin.
you are hereby authorized" the
president ordered Hines. Ito say to
| the railroad shop employees that the
question. Of wages they have raised will
be taken up and considered on its
merits by the director general in con-
ference with their duly accredited rep
resentatives."
The letter made no mention of rates
President Wilson instructed HineA to
decide the wage question following re-
ceipt of a letter from Senator Cum
minis. who said the senate interstate
commerce committee had decided the
president had full power to act.
No Labor Plan Champion.
The appeal of organized labor for
government ownership of railroads.
backed by yelled threats of serious un-
rest until the plan is adopted, has so
far found no open champion among
the house and senate interstate com
merce committees.
Even Representative Sims, who in
troduced their plan as house bill by
request. today definitely stated he
could not agree to 1t in many details.
He favors government ownership OF
the fixed equipment of the lines. with
leases to private corporations for oper-
alton, the owners being allowed to
keep the rolling stock. 1t is generally
believed the bill even in modified form
will not be reported out by either
house or senate committee
Interest Lies in Wall Street Expose.
Interest now centers in the brother
hoods next move, the threatened ex-
pose of the alleged looting of many
railroads by Wall street interests, with
demand for congressional investiga-
ton. Nothing definite has been re-
vealed with regard to the conference
on railroad control which Glenn
Plumb, attorney for the railroad en-
ployes said had been called to meet
! in Washington, and to which many
prominent persons. including Governor
Allen of Kansas and Frank p. Walsh.
had been invited. The date remains
| to be fixed.