The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-06-23
WILSON URGES :
WAGE AWARD
President Asks Railroad Labor
Board for Immediate Ac-
ton on Controversy.
STRIKE PLAN PROGRESSES

Washington, June 23.-President Will
son sent message today to the rail-
road labor board at Chicago urging that
IL make an immediate award of the
wags contitversy. The text OF the es-
House.
Announcement of the presidents ac-
tion was made after w. N. Doak, vice.
president of the trainmen's brotherhood
had called at the White House. Mr.
Doak did not see the president, but was
IN conference about fifteen minutes with
to discuss his conference with Secretary
Tnmuty, but said he would have q
statement later In the day.
Information prepared for submission
10 Secretary Payne today indicated that
unless assurances were given immedi-
ately to railway workers that wage
adjustment might be expected soon.
the unauthorized strike of trainmen at
Philadelphia. Baltimore and many other
points, might not be opposed further
by the brotherhoods.
Mr.. Doah expected to consider the
situation with Mr.. Payne. who is direc-
tor-general of the railroad administra-
tion. He also plans to leave this week
for Chicago, where the railroad labor
board is meeting.
Reports to labor headquarters here
indicated no improvement in the sit
uation and pointed to Increased un-
rest amor & the men. Labor leaders said
that since the beginning of the unau-
thorized strikes, 80 900 men had been
dismissed from the unions. but that the
feeling was growing that to continue
olscipllnfng the men was impracticable.
Mr.. Doak. in statement issued after
he had conferred with Mr.. Tumulty and
with Secretary Payne, head of the rail-
road administration, said the heads OF
the railroad brotherhoods hoped there
would be a settlement of the wage
question this week and that II not prob
ably the situation will be much worse
than at present"
Appeals have gone up from all parts
OF the country to the labor board" said
Mr.. Doak. land we desire the public tc
Know that this much heralded and ad-
Vocated method of adjusting questions
OF this character, according to the press
ent Indications, is rank and hopeless
THE chiefs Of the brotherhoods," Mr..
looak's statement continued, "are con-
sidering means to assist in every man
ner to start the wheels of 1transporta-
tion but know full we'll that these men
must frst be given substantial in
creases In pay before such can be ac-
complished.
THE board has no reasonable or le-
Ultimate excuse in not granting sub
stantial Increases in wages to railroad
employees and there can be no escape
from the responsibility that the United
states railroad board now sitting in
Chicago is wholly responsible for the
present bad situation. They have been
told OF the seriousness of the situation,
but they apparently are not alive to
their duties and responsibilities. The
brotherhoods have informed them of
the impending crisis and they would not
act. We informed them that unless
they did act we should be compelled to
appeal to the American public and to
notify the president OF the United
states Of the seriousness Of this situa-
tion. They will not heed the appeal.
'The railroad labor organizations de-
sire the public to know the truth and
to FIX the responsibility where II right
fully and Justly belongs. We have done
everything reasonable to keep transport
a year without relief and have worked
at wages on which they could not main
tain their FAMILIES. We have apprised /
every one, congress: the public. the
Dor board, that these men could not be
expected to continue in the employ of
the railroads under such conditions, yet
no relief has been afforded them, so
they are now leaving the service Of the
railroads"
'"The presidents message to the war
railroad labor board will do much to
relieve the situation" said John Scott,
secretary of the railway employees de-
partment of the American Federation
Of Labor. which represents practically
all the railroad workers with the excep...
tion of the members of the "big four"
brotherhoods.
at will help to reassure the men who
are threatening to strike. They are too
restless to wait much longer"
Other leaders expressed the opinion
that II the board failed to respond to
the presidents request there was little
hope of immediate action on wage de-
mands.
The general chairmen and executive
boards representing every railroad sys-
tenn in the country with full authority
from the men to act, will be called into
conference before final action Is taken.