The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-07-21
RAIL STRIKE
APPARENTLY
FORESTALLED
Union Men Lose Dissatisfac-
ton Over Amount Of
Award - Leaders of 10
Crafts in Session.
REACH NO DECISION
(By Associated Pressl

CHICAGO, July 2.-Danger of an
immediate strike of railway workers
OF the country apparently had dissi.
pated when the 1000 representatives
OF the 16 railway crafts resumed
their conference here today to con-
slider the 100000, 900 wage increase
granted by the railway labor board in
It's decision handed down yesterday.
In addition there appeared to be
less dissatisfaction over the amount
OF the award on the part of the union
men
A committee of railroad brotherhood
leaders waited on the United States
labor board this afternoon to request
hearing. 1t is understood that they
Will ask for rehearing of some sec
uons of the 100000, 900 award. The
board was in executive session and de-
cl1ned to see them before 4 O'Clock.
We have nothing to say" said w
G. Lee, grand president of the brother
hood OF railway trainmen.
Yesterdays group conferences ex-
tended far into the night without any
decision as to acceptance or reject
ance of the award having been
reached. AT the close of last nights
conference, however, W. G. Lee, of
Cleveland, grand president of the
Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen.
emphasized that no immediate strike
was In prospect.
No Hasty Action
There will be no illegal outlaw
rebel, sporadic or immediate railroad
strike" Mr.. Lee said, whether the
railway labor wage award is accepted
or rejected; the union action will be
concerted and deliberate"
When the grand council met TODAY
1our courses of action were under con-
sideration.
An acceptance of the award under a
protest, a registra ton of their dis
SATISFACTION over the terms as COM
pared with the original demands.
acceptance of the award with a pro-
V1so that preparations for new wage
demands be Immediately started:
these demands to be filed with the
railway labor board as soon as prac-
ucaole after Sept 1, the date the roads
emerge finally from government con-
troll.
Tentative rejection of the award and
recommftment of the strike issue to
referendum of the rank and file;
Flat rejection of the award and an
exercise of the extraordinary powers
restlng In the grand council toward a
strike.
One Favorable Feature.
factor regarded as a favorable
feature and one which many believe
may have considerable effect If a con-
certed effort is made toward accent
ance of the award. was the boards
decision to make the increases retro
active to May l. This feature would
give the 100000 railway workers a
total of approximately $50, 900. 900 to
be distributed as back pay in lump
sums.
While general opinion among the
representatives had not crystallized, 1t
was reported that the locomotive engi-
neers and shopmen had expressed
themselves as favorable to acceptance
of the decision.
The railway officials accepted the
award without complaint but declared
that in order to meet the increases the
road would need an increase of IS per
cent in freight rates to meet the wage
boost. The Interstate Commerce Com
mission will be asked to spread the
increase over both freight and passen-
ger rates.