New-York tribune., 1920-04-30
Walk.Out of All Labor
Ordered for Tomorrow
to Force Nationaliza-
ton of the Utilities
''Figght to Finish, -
Declare Unions
Federation Compelled to
Act by Strike Call Is.
sued by Railroad Men

PARIS, April GA general strike Of
French labor was called to-day, to take
effect May 1. The call was decided
upon by the General Federation of
Labor of France when it found its
hand had been forced by the action Of
the Railway Federation in calling a
general railway strike for May Day.
Thus, against what is declared to be
the will and the judgment of the i'm
portant labor leaders, the long ex-
pected definite issue between organized
labor and the government seems abou.
to be fought out.
The railway mems action was the
determining factor in the two daya'
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS which preceded
the general strike decision. This finally
won over the moderates, whose inclina-
ton had been to postpone the "revo-
lutionary struggle.
Now, however, in the words of
prominent labor leaders, the general
strike order means flight to finish"
for the realization of the general
political aims of French labor, with
the naturalization of public utilities,
and labor representation on all boards
and commissions dealing with trans
poftation and the postal and tclc-
graphic services.
Statement by Federation
An official statement issued by the
Labor Federation this evening says:
"Thc railroad men engaged in the
battle with the purpose of gaining for
the people possession of the railroads
in order to insure their exploitation in
the interest Of all, to remedy the pres
cnt disorganization, decrease the cost
of living and avoid the famine that
menaces the country
The Railroad Mems Federation de-
clares it has been forced to enter into
the fight by the failure of the authori-
ties to respect the agreement entered
into March 1 with the federation at the
time the last railroad strike was set
tied, and by the failur: OF the govern
into the transportation systems indis-
pcnsablc transformations necesstated
by the general public interests of the
country
Especial! Importance is laid here on
the fact that the administrative COM
mittee of the General Federation has
permitted the various trade unions to
organize professions and parades as
they see fit. Minister of Interior Steeg
said yesterday that public manifesto
tions would be repressed severely.
The railroad mems official statement
lays emphasis on the fact that if their
organization succeeds in gaining con-
troll of the railroads it's first care Wi
be to revictual the country.
Parisians Are Skeptical
Paris, cool and not excited by the
days developments. is showing much
skeptjcism as to the prolongation O.
the movement, in view of the fact that
the decision to strike was taken upon
the pressure of small minority of the
railroad men. The miners have shown
no disposition to follow the lead of
the railway workers.
The walls of the city are plastered
with appeals and manifestoes from
'.'i lC"o " sd representing all
shades of opinion in the ranks of labor.
One appeal issued by the Cnted Unions
OF the Seine Department concluded With
bit Of unconscious humor
Do mot work on May l." it said $50
THAI the maxim He who will cat must
p' oduce' may be applied"
Yves lc Trocqucr Minister of Public
Works, has issued notice asking the
abroad men to refrain from striking
an'! assuring them of the protection OF
the government should they desire to
continue at work