Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-07-24
SEVEN UNIONS MAY
VOTE IN FAVOR Of
ACCEPTING SCALE
Decision Not Expected Before
September 1-Opposition
Is Developing to Increase
in Passenger Rates

CHICAGO, July 23.-Railroad work.
ers Of the country today started a
referendum on whether the $500, 000,-
600 award made by the railroad labor
wage board Tuesday is acceptable.
Conferences of the railroad labor
executives broke UP late last night,
with decision to submit the ques-
ton to the rank and file. The de-
cision followed an unsuccessful at
tempt to reopen the wage matter be-
fore the labor board, and threats of
some unions to fatty reject the
award.
Labor leaders, in ordering a refer
endum on the acceptability of the
award, will make recommendations
Seven unions, it was understood, will
be asked to act favorabIy. The
Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way
Employees was understood to favor
such action N%
Complete by September
Tabulations of the referendum will
not be complete before September /,
rail leaders here anticipated They
pointed out railroads would then be
without government protection and
union labor would feel freer to take
independent action.
Federal officials today were report
ed taking a hand to end the railroad
congestion attributed to unauthorized
strikes and labor troubles. Major
e. Leroy Humes, of the department.
of justice, conferred last night with
the heads of the sixteen railroad
unions. He was reported to have de-
clared the brotherhoods must force
the return of strikers or fill the va
canc1es. Reports were that Humes
threatened court proceedings against
the leaders unless strikers returned
before Monday.
The Order of Railway Expressmen
was to continue today presenting its
claims for increased wages before
the railroad labor board. The hear
lngs were opened yesterday.
Favor Accepting Award
The following unions were said
10 nave unreservedly accepted the
award:
Engineers, trainmen, sWitchnen.
hremen and enginemen, conductors.
shoplnen, clerks, freight handlers. ex-
press and station employees.
The Order of Railroad Telegra nhers
has ordered a strike vote.
PETITION FOR INCREASED
RATES TO BE OPPOSED
WASHINGTON, July 23.-opposi-
ton toincreased passenger, freight,
baggage and Pullman rates asked bv
railroads was developing today.
Inc railroads, in a petition filed
With the interstate commerce COM
mission yesterday, said they needed
the higher rates to meet the $780,
OoV'ooO wage award granted work
ers. Opponents of the proposed
raises will try to show that they are
unnecessary and that increased
freight rates asked several weeks
ago are sufficient for railroad needs.
organized railroad EMPLOYEES
themselves may join the fferot to
prevent the increase, it was learned
today. 1t is known that the en-
ployes have collected information
which they say would Justify
charges that the roads are now run
ming up a big bill of expense TO
show the necessity of increased rev.
enues.
once the railroads get the in
crease, however, the union heads an
ticipate that thousands OF men will
be laid off and other economy meas
ures taken, according to John Scott,
secretary hof the railway depart
ment of the American Federation of
Labor.
The railroad executives deny
these assertions and say the raises
sought are absolutely necessary.
The proposed 20 per cent increase
on passenger and so per cent in
crease on Pullman fares is en-
pected to be attacked by the United
Commercial Travellers.
Farmer organizations will inquire
into the necessity of a raise of ap-
proximately 40 per cent for .carry-
ing milk. This would increase the
price of milk without corresponding
advantage to milk producers. At the
national grange here, it was said
the raise would not be opposed if
that organization found it necessary
to the roads.
The shippers will ask to be heard
on the proposed freight increases.
although it is not certain they will
oppose them.
1t is estimated that the total of
increased freight rates now being
sought by the railroads would, if
granted, take from the pockets of
the consumer between six and ten