The Washington times., 1920-04-05
RAIL UNIONS READY
TO FIGHT OWNERS
Preparing Today for Show
Down"-General Strike
ru Again Looms Up.

The railroad unions are preparing
for a "show-down" neht with the
railroad companies. II was learned
today.
Leaders admit there is again danger
OF a general strike.
They look upon the act Of the car
riers In calling off the conferences
OF the bipartisan wage board ahu
refusing TO sign the national agree
ments with the workers to perpetu-
ate the shorter working hours and
Improved working conditions granted
by the railroad administration as
chsllenge-the beginning OF a move
ment to disrupt the unions.
At the convention OF the railway
employees employment department OF
the American Federation OF labor to
be held In Kansas City, April II. ac-
tion will be taken that will determine
how railway labor will retaliate-
whether IL will resort to strike In
the immediate future or wait to try
political action.
The convention will be attended
by delegates from all the shopcrafts,
the Brotherhood OF Railway Clerks,
Order OF Railroad Telegraphers and
Order Of Railroad Sygnalmen. repre-
senting every railroad system In the
country and more than one-half OF
the 100000 organized railroad work
ers. The tactics II decides upon will
be followed by the remainder OF rail-
way labor.
Three Take strike Vote.
The shopmen. railroad clerks and
telegraphers already have taken
strike votes on the question OF wage
demands and have strike machinery
ready to set In motion.
B. NJ. Jewell. who viii preside over
the convention and other leaders who
are meeting today in Kansas City to
draw up a tentative program Will
urge political action instead OF strike
and use all their influence to prevent
trouble until the Labor Board yet to
be named by the President has had
time to consider wage demands.
In using political action the railroad
workers will have behind them In
their tight to elect Congress that
will secure the repeal Of the Cummins-
Esch railroad law and the return Of
railroads to private control the voting
strength and all the financial and
organization resources of the other
. 100000 members Of the American
Federation OF Labor and the 100000
farmers affiliated with the Farmers
National Council as the result Of the
CO operative political policy decided on
by the Federation, the big Four
brotherh oods and the farm organiza-
tions sympathetic with labor.
Seventeen Allied Bedies.
The new railway labor alliance has
now seventeen organizations in itin-
GLIDING the Mates and Pilots Assoc
citation. Six others have made appli-
cations to join, including the Hotel
and Restaurant Workers Interna-
tional Union, with which the dining
car chefs and walters are affiliated.
II these are admitted every organ
ICED worker in the country In any
way connected with the railroad COM
panies either on land or water will
be affiliated with the alliance which
was formed for "offensiye and de-
fensive purposes" pending the adjust.
ment Of the wage controversy.
The national agreements granted
by the Railroad Administration must
remain in force until at least Sep.
tember / under the terms of the new
railroad law. Even If the wage con-
troversy is satisfactorily adjusted by
the labor board Industrial peace will
be again threatened IL the agree
ments are not recognized after Sep
tember 1.