New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-06-26
Chairman Announces De-
cisiOn Will Be Made Be-
fore July 20; Award to
Be Retroactive to May l
Men We're Ready
ToQuit Tonight g
Lee Says All Danger of a
General Walk-Out Has
Been Averted by Action

CHICAGO, June 25.-A decision on
the demands of railroad employees for
wage increases will be made on or be-
fore July 20 by the Railway Labor
Board, Judge r. M. Barton, chairman
said in statement late to-day. The
award would be retroactive to May
l, the statement said.
According to W. G. Lee, president
of the Brotherhood of Railway Train
men and spokesman for union leaders
who gathered here to-day, the boards
declaration would end all danger of a
general railroad strike.
Mr.. Lee said that secret plans had
been made by disaffected union ele-
ment to spread the strike throughout
the country because of the continued
delay in announcing the wage ruling.
The men would have quit at mid
night tomorrow night" Mr.. Lee said.
1T was impossible to hold them longer
Men of my organizations have been
waiting patiently for nearly a year"
The railway boards statement de-
clared that an agreement on a method
of working out the wage problems had
been arrived at and that no time would
be lost in reaching a conclusion.
Men Will Be Satisfied
Lee and other representatives of the
organized railroad brotherhoods, who
met here to-day to discuss the railroad
wage situation, said there was no doubt
the men would be satisfied with the
promise Of decision to relieve their
impatience.
"Was the decision the result of a
warning of a probable strike brought
by you and your associates to the
board?" Lee was asked.
"You can draw your own conclusions
as to that" Lee answered.
In a later statement Mr.. Lee de-
clared that "even the most conserva-
tive members of these organiza tions
lately have been bitterly complaining
of the delays and insist upon a de-
cision."
'Now that it has been definitely de-
cided that the award will sAe handed
down not later than July 2O,"' the
statement continued, tive urge our
members to continue to carry out their
obligations to their organizations and
the contract relations with the en-
ployees as the most effective means of
helping the situation"
General chairmen of the fifteen rec
ognized railroad organizations will
meet in Chicago July 19 to consider
and pass upon the awards by the board,
it was announced.
Officials of the brotherhoods and
unions considered measures for hold
ing their men In line. Mr.. Lee esti-
mated that the $4,000 members of his
brotherhood had gone over to rebel
organizations.
One Big Union Feared
Zone Of the biggest dangers now,"
said Mr.. Lee, "is the 'one-b e. union
ldea,' propaganda of which is respon-
sible for the sporadic strikes now
going on. 1t is up to the powers to
decide whether they want the 'one-
big-union idea,' which caused such
strife in 1894, or whether they want
the strong, sane organizations which
have kept the men in reasonable
mood for many years"
The two outlaw organizations which
were back of, the original switchmen's
unauthorized strike in April held mass
meetings tonight in Garments Hall.
Both unions, the Chicago Yardmen's s
Association and the United Engine
mems Association, demand recognition
by the Railroad Labor Board and the
restoration of the seniority rights Of
their members who stayed out on
strike.