The Washington times., 1920-06-24

IN lexington
Tie-up of Yards Handling Most
Of Capitals Supplies Is
Threatened.
DEMAND LABOR BOARD ACT
Can't Hold Men Back After
This Week, Union Leaders
Announce.

| The United states Labor Board
tsday notified the white House that
the eDtire machinery OF the srgan-
isatiop haA been put to work on the
railway wage eontroversy and that
the board wslld as everything In
its power to expedite its AnAiAgs-
The whole nation is on the verge
Of q complete tie-up Of freight trans
portation, officials of railroad en-
ployes' unions predicted today, fol-
lowing the unauthorized walkout Of
800 trainmen and yardmen in the Po-
tomac yards.
A distinct sentiment in favor of b
walkout in the lexington yards,
which handles most Of the food and
supplies for Washington and vicinity,
also was reported today. although
railroad officials declared no trouble
was expected.
Officials Of the trainmen issued
statements that they would not be
responsible for the actions OF the
members of their organizations after
the end Of this week should the Unit
ed States Labor Board. now sitting in
Chicago. fan to hand down wage
awards. r.
OF the 400 men who took "vaca-
tions" in the Potomac Yards yester-
day and this morning, about 100 had
returned to work at noon today
sufficient number. Robert Convin, su-
1 - n
BILE freight moving to points In the
East.
LABOR CONCILIATOR SENT.
The Department Of Labor today
moved to settle the OUTLAW" strike
in the Potomac Yards by sending
Charles Bendheim, commissioner Of
concilation, to confer with the "strik-
ers" and the railroad officials.
Bendheim addressed a group Of
about $50 men at the yards at noon
today and said: "I want to see you
men go back 100 per cent strong to-
night"
Minus 90 per cent" yelled back
some Of the STRIKERS"
Officials of the trainmen comforting
with Bendheim, declared they had
pleaded with the men to return to
work and given the labor board an
OtneT 10 uO"h thSii
awards, but had been unable to handle
| the situation.
II. NJ. Cousins, general chairman of
! the Richmond. Fredericksburg and
Potomac railroad, spent all of last
night at the Potomac yards trying to
influence the men to return to work.
He failed.
LEADERS URGE MEN TO WORK.
Joe Morgan, chairman of the train
mems local at the yards, urged the
men to stand by their jobs until they
were better organized or until the la
| Dor board had handed down its de-
cision.
Henry Chichester, chairman Of the
| steamfitters, went to work this morn
ing with the s o'clock shift, but when
his fellow workman failed to show
up for work, he left the job and
devoted his time comforting with in
dividual strikers" telling them to
stick on their jobs.
The labor board alone can head
of a nationwide tie-up of freight
transportation" Walter l.. McMeni-
men, deputy president of the Brother
hood of Railway Trainmen, declared
today, when reports reached his Of
nee from various railroad centers.
"Ofricials OF the railroad employees
Will Dc neIpIes6 10 nOIo INC men u
an award Is not handed down by the
! board by the end of this week" he
added. "The patience Of the employees
has been exhausted. We have re-
sorted to every device. 1t is now up
to the labor board"
GAVE FACTS TO CONGRESS.
Sensing trouble, Mr.. McMenimen
says he went personally to members
of Congress just before adjournment
and laid the facts before them.
"I succeeded in having 100 mem
bers of House and Senate send as
many kilograms to the labor board.
urging speedy action on the wage
awards" McMenimen says.
The labor board denies n telegram
was received from President Wilson.
saw the telegram that was sent to
the board urging early action on the
awards
There is no excuse for delay. The
board has in its possession all facts
| figures and other data gathered by
the Railroad Administration on the
subject OF wages. The only thing left
for them to do Is to make a final de-
cision.
sour hands will be clean 10 the
country Is tied up next week because
of failure of the board to reach n de-
| cision."
W. NJ Doak. vice president OF the
| Brotherhood OF Railroad Trainmen.
, who has been handling the wage con-
troversy with the Labor Board, says