New-York tribune., 1920-07-22
Eight Other Great Bro
therhoods Said to Have
Rejected Offer; Ref
erendum Is Favored
Rehearingg Refused
By Labor Board
Officials Declare Both
Sides Had a Chance
to Present Their Views

CHICAGO, July 21 (By The Asso-
ciated Press. Submission of the
ssQO0o0OO0 rail wage award to ref
erendum vote by the 100000 railroad
workers without recommendation from
tie union leaders either for Its accent
ance Or rejection appeared probable to-
night.
This was the opinion in labor circles
following rejection by the United
States Railway Labor Board of a petit
tor for rehearing of the case
At midnight 1t was reported that six
Of the sixteen great portation
brotherhoods, in addition to the
masters, mates and pilots of America
had decided definitely to accept the
ssA0o00009 rail wage award.
Eight of the remainder were said to
have tentatively rejected the award,
with provision shat the final decision
be left TO referendum vote of the mem
berships.
The Order of Railway Conductors
was said to be still undecided. while
the Order Of Railroad Telegraphers
were reported to have issued strike
ballots
In view Of the division it was be
leved that the award would be sub
mitted to referendum by all Of the
0rotberhoods, either without recon.
mendaticn, or with the recommends
hon Of each group.
osid to Accept Award
Tire following brotherhoods were re-
ported to have accepted the award:
Brotherh cod of Locomotive En-
gneefs, brotherhood of Railroad
lrainmen- witchmen's Union of North
AmpriP4 y 40, of
slremen and Oilers, United Brother
hOod Of Maintenance OF Way Employees
and Railroad Shop Laborers. Brother
mood OF Locomotive Firemen and En-
gnemen and the Masters, Maytes and
Pilots Of America.
The brotherhoods favoring a refen-
du were the International Association
Of Nachnists, Steel Metal Workers,
International Alliance. brotherhood Of
Railway and Steamship Clerks. Freight
Handlers, Express and Station Employ
es, Brotherhood of Railway Signal
Men of America, Brotherhood of Rail-
way Carmen of America, international
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers,
International Brotherhood of Boiler
Makers, Iron Ship Builders and Help
ers Of America and the International
Brotherhood of Blacksmiths, Drop
'o.gers ana Helpers.
Three courses were open to the
union chiefs: Submission without rec
ommendatIon, recommendation that
the award be accepted, or that it be
rejected
Ihe more conservative counsel in the
union ranks has steadfastly opposed
outright rejection of the Labor Boards
ceclson. The door to recommendation
OF adoption apparently was closed to-
cay. leaders of the rail workers in
ilmated, when they requested that the
ease be reopcned and the board re-
fused
Position of the Leaders
After asking for a rehearing, it ap
reared doubtful whether the union
leaders could consistently recommend
acceptance Of the award, as their action
iualcated 1t was unsatisfactory to
them. The only course left open,
therefore. would be to pass the
boards decision along TO the men and
rely oh their referendum.
The labor board declined to reopen
sne case OIL the ground that its de-
vsion represented the conclusions
reached after an exhaustive survey in
winch BON sides had had ample time
c present all facts surrounding the
ease
No good could be accomplished at
uis time, members of the board
lated, by granting a rehearing. which
nou't only serve to delay the case and
prevent The men receiving the in
Creased back wages in their August
pay envelopes.
cay OF conferences between presi-
,;, S:nts OF the eighteen unions recog-
Leo Leo III the award and 1000 general
.la',nen OF those organizations failed
~ W ueVelop any common ground on
"''lcn the leaders were willing to issue
statement
strike in Chicago
-, me first reported strike was record
IN tnlcago late day, when about
one hundred Grand Trunk Railroad
n"pioyees walked out, according to
..Y1n'pany estimates. Strikers, however,
o,'. Naimed 300 men figured in the walk
ius' company officers said no demands
n~o. nso oeen presented, and that it was
assumed n.;sf the men were dissatisfied
"'yn q, the rail board decision
ne decision to be made by the
SSlo.nerhood officers tomorrow may
90 oSN an important effect on the future
Of .heir organizations, in the opinion
" " observers who have made study
T.. tVdu wage OemdnQS.
ny IS no secret that for months thcre
as oeen ,dissension within the union
.anAs and an outspoken dissatisfaction
owe over the failure of the union officers to
OBTAIN for their men the raises they
demanded
~, ~ was this dissatisfaction which cul-
arnaeed annied IN the sporadic strikes in
sla ,pili- Men who joined the new unions
tuu walked out insisted they were
slas aeo OF the policy psrsued by the
, 'aoof politicians" and that they
"anted new deal"
iae Brotherhood leaders insisted the
Avn should wait for the governments
ave- rard, fut now that it LAS come they
ma iully alive to the fact that if the
tha: ha REJECT it they may also blame
M MT leaders for not obtaining all
"at was asked.