The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-07-22
By Associated Prs.


 wage award to referendum vote by the 1,800,000 railroad workers without recommends tion from the union leaders either for it's acceptance or re- jection appeared probable to- night.
 This was the opinion in labor circles. following rejection by the United States railway labor board of a petit tion for a rehearing of the case.
 Three courses were open to the union chiefs:
 First, submission without recommen- dation; second recommendation that the award be accepted; third that it be rejected.
 The more conservative counsel in the union ranks has steadfastly opposed outright rejection of the labor board g decision.
 The door to recomm mendation or ad ,p- ton apparently was closed today, lead CTS of the rail workers intimated, when they requested that the case be re- cede,
 UP TO MEN
 After asking for a rehearing 1t ap- peared doubtful that the union leaders could consistently recommend aocep- tance of the award, as their action in- d f i-f, The only course left open, therefore. would be to pass the boards decision along to the men and rely on their referendum.
 The labor board declined to reopen the case on the ground that it's de- cjsion represented the conclusions reached after an exhaustive survey, in which both sides had been given ample time to present all facts surrounding the case.
 No good could be accomplished at this time, members of the board stated, by granting a rehearing, which would only serve to delay the case and prevent the men receiving the in- creased back wages in their August pay envelopes.
 A day of conferences between presi- dents of the eighteen unions recog- nized in the award and 1000 general
 
 to develop any common ground on which the leaders were willing to issue a statement.
 CAN'T GET TOGETHER
 Two days and a night of meetings have failed to bring the leaders to- gether and w. G. Lee, grand president of the Brotherhood of Railway Train men, indicated the presidents would have no recommendation to make to the general chairmen before tomorrow. Reports reaching union headquarters and the railroad managers association here indicated with few exceptions that the men were holding fast and waiting for their officers to act.
 The first reported strike was re- corded in Chicago late today, when about 100 Grand Trunk railroad em- ployes walked out according to com pany estimates. Strikers, however, claimed 900 men figured in the walk out. Company officers said no de- mands had been presented and that 1t was presumed the men were dissa tis- fled with the rail board decision. From few cities came reports that the men had voted to reject the award and stand on their original demands, but the ones so voting remained at work. The decision to be made by the brotherhood officers tomorrow may have
 
 their organizations. in the opinion of ob- servers who have made study of the railroad wage demands
 MUCH DISSATISFACTION It is no secret that for months there has been dissenson within the union ranks and an outspoken dissatisfaction over the failure of the union officers to obtain for their men the raises they demanded. It was this dissatisfaction which cul- 1 minated in the sporadic strikes in April Men who joined the new unions and walked out insisted they were tired of the policy pursued by the labor poli- l ticians.'' and that they wanted a new deal" In that isis heads of the powerful brotherhoodss appealed to the railroad managers for aid-< The unions furnished men to replace workers who quit and the roads declared the strikers places vacated and their seniority rights for feited. The brotherhood leaders insisted the esnen shor!d wait for the government l award. but tha. it has come. they are fully alive to the fact that that if the l men reject it. they may also blame their 1 leaders for not obtaining all that was asked So far as the rail labor board is con cerned the wage award is closed, and 1 tc morrow the case of the 75.o00 employees 1 of the American Express Company will | be taken up. rhs bosrs has promised speedy de- .Hr -I. -