New-York tribune., 1920-02-10
Maintenance of Way Men
and Shop Laborers to
Quit Feb. IL Unless
Wage Raise Is Granted
brotherhood Chief
Defes Injunction
Walk-Out Certain if Hines
Fails to Meet Demands
in Full, Asserts Barker
Special Dispatch to The Tribun.

DEIROlI, Feb. "a strike of 300
600 members of the Brotherhood Of
Maintenance of Way Employees and
Railway Shop Workers was called Cor
February II, week from tomorrow
al the conclusion of meeting of gen
eral chairmen of the brotherhood here
too day.
Allan E. Barker, grand president of
the organization, said tonight that
"the die is cast" and that mo Federal
injunction will stop u.s." The only
thing that would prevent the strike
he added, would be an agreement with
the railroad administration by next
Saturday.
The orders have gone out" said
Mr.. Barker, "and it would take sew
eral days to cancel them. Hence, un-
less the committee of ten which we
have sent to Washington can make a
satisfactory settlement with Mr.
Hines, which months of negotiations
have failed to produce. the strike will
take place Tuesday morning, Fep-
ruary II.
Nothing Else to Do
81 am loath to call the strike, but
there is nothing else we can do. Our
hands have been forced l am tired
of the treatment We have received
from government officials, and am
determined to settle the controversy
before the roads are turned back to
their owners March 1. and the gov
ernment shifts its responsibility"
The trouble arose last summer, Mr..
Barker pointed out. A vote to strike
was taken in July, but the matter was
Wilson, who promised that the cost
of living would be decreased or wages
increased, Mr.. Barker contended. In
action caused the matter to be brought
up by the railmen again, and several
proposals by each side proved unac-
ceptable to the othex.
"rhe Director General has been in
conference with our representatives
for ten days and has promised us moth
ing" Mr.. Barker continued. 81 do not
believe he intends to do so. For that
reason it was necessary to call the
strike before he could pass the burden
to the private owners.
eve have withheld taking this step
for six months in the face of constantly
increasing living costs. There are more
than 100000 men in the brotherhood
receiving less than SO day Carpen-
ters, masons and painters are making
80 cents an hour-about e-half the
wage received by the same class of
labor in the building trades"
Ready for Finish Fight
Mr.. Barker reiterated that no court
injunction would halt the strike. 81
expect that some of our officials will
be jailed, but don't Let that discourage
you he said, in addressing the gem
junction | will tell the courts where
they can go to.
1--WE are ready to spend the last
dollar the organization has to win the
strike. We will fight with the same
determination that we have shown in
preventing a strike. SO far I have had
to take the responsibility. Now it is
up to you. If you do as | believe you
will no earthly power can defeat us.
"lf you listen to the railway officials
and stink back to your jobs you will
lose so far as | am concerned, Mr..
Hines can carry on his conferences
until Christmas, but on February II
ne probably will have more important
business to attend to-"
The text of the order calling the
strike reads:
"A strike of our entire membership
on roads under Federal, control and
those not under Federal control is au-
thorized to take place at a. m. Tues
day, February II, and will apply to
store house employees, stationary fire
men, stationary engineers, steel bridge
workers, cinder pit men and oilers, as
we'll as all other members of our
brotherhood. The strike is for the
general increase requested last sum-
mer and in addition a uniform rate
from coast to coast"