The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-02-20
PLAN TO FIGHT
RAILROAD BILL
Individual Legislators DeIuged
BY Protests From La
Dor Leaders.
TO MAKE DETERMINED
STRUGGLE IN CONGRESS
If Defeated There, Union Men
Will Go Direct to Wilson
in Hope of Veto.

Washington, Feb. 20.--(A. P.)-
Union labor, led by officers Of the
| American Federation of Labor and
the railroad brotherhoods, today had
we'll under way It's fight in congress
against the adoption of the redrafted
railroad reorganization bill. Besides
the memorial prepared by represen-
tatlves of fifteen railroad unions and
federation officers at an all-day con-
ference yesterday, and which was ad-
dressed to congress as a whole, in
dividual congressman were deluged
today by letters and kilograms from
union leaders generally protesting
against enactment of the bill into
law.
The plan OF the unions, II was
shown, provides first for a deter
mined fight In the house and senate.
II defeated there the controversy will
he taken direct 20 President Wilson
In the hope OF a veto. Tho opposi-
tion of the unions as shown in the
memorial to congress declaring the
redrafted bill 10 be destructive OF the
employees constitutional privileges
and liberties is based chiefly on the
method proposed for handling wage
and labor disputes.
The provision for a fixed financial
return 10 holders OF railroad securi-
ties also la attacked, tho memorial
holding that the provision would con-
stitute IAN abandonment OF govern
ment for tho common good, the es-
adjustment OF government for pri-
vate interest, special privilege and
class benefit"
Principal objection TO the labor ar
hitration clause is based on the man
ner In which the special arbitration
boards would be constituted and the
manner of their operation. Union
leaders contend that the arbitration
boards, including the permanent fed
oral board of nine members, might
be so composed as TO eliminate labor
from representation. The method
proposed of adiudicating labor dis
putes by groups OF not less than 100
employees, the leaders declared. would
destroy all discipline and lead TO
chaos" because they would encourage
the workers 10 disregard existing
agreements and long established or
derby method.
Despite opposition within ana that
from the labor unions, members of
tho house predicted today only few
daya would be required TO pass the
bill. Senata@ consideration of the
measure viii not begin until after
the house has acted.
Raise Defense Fund.
Washington. Feb. COL N. ST.
A great defense fund will be raised
10 support the program OF the new
railroad union alliance. which, as an
nounced yesterday. win operate as
one big union for offensive and de-
fenslvo purposes.
The written agreement by which
thirteen of the fifteen important rail
road organizations have bound them
selves to act as "A unit in strikes and
other movements provided per
capita assessment for each affiliated
union TO finance the alliance.
Tho Brotherhood OF Locomotive
Engineers may not Join the alliance.
labor leaders said today. The
brotherhood Is said to be against q
strike policy.
Allan T.. Barker. president Of the
United Brotherhood OF Maintenance
OF Way Employees and shop I4aho-
crs, tho only railroad union executive
with the exception OF Warren S.
stone, OF the engineers, who has not
signed the agreement. win arrive in
Washington tomorrow.
Accodlng to J. r. Malloy. grand
vice president OF the union. Barker
will wait for the Feb. 2s conference
OF railroad union chiefs before COM
mlttlng himself on the alliance.