The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-07-19
RAIL ROAD EXECUTIVES
MEET IN CHI CA CD To
CONSIDER RESULTS OF
RAILWAY VA GE BOARD

~ Ss - -
Chicago, July 19.-The first grand
council for more than year of exc
cutives, general chairman and many |
members of the sixteen recognized
brotherhoods, opened in Chicago to-
day to pass upon the wage awards of
the rail wage board. The councils |
decision, it is announced, will be made
public tomorrow.
Approximately 1000 union officials
are expected to be present when the
council takes action on the award.
Preliminary meetings were held yes
terday by early arrivals, but no state
ments We're given afterward.
According to union rules, all ques'
tions of a wage increase must be
submitted to a referendum vote, bu,
it was pointed out today that the call
for the grand council stated the pur-
pose to be consideration and to pass
finally on the award made by the
board"
Under these circumstances it was
not known whether the boards award
would be submitted to a referendum
or whether final action would be
taken by the union chiefs in session
here.
In connection with the discussion of
probable referendum it was pointed
out that a vote by the entire men,
bership Of the brotherhood for a
month or more and that many union
leaders We're opposed TO this delay
in the final acceptance or rejection
of the award.
Samuel Il. Heberling, president of
the switchmen's union of North Amer
lea, declared last night that if it was
decided that the award was unsats-
factory, concerted action would be
taken by the sixteen brotherhoods.
The wage increase asked by the rail
road workers, of whom there are
nearly 100000 would total more
than 81 900 900 900. The demands range
from 25.3 for shopmen to 66,4 per
cent for maintenance of way employees.
If reports reaching brotherhood lead
eras regarding the railway wage to
be handed down tomorrow by the rail
road labo board are correct, the decl
sion will be unacceptable and will be
rejected, union leaders declared today.
One thousand general chairmen of
ha n
behind closed doors TO discuss their
future course. While none will predict
publicly, that general strike is a
possibility If the award is unsatisfac.
tory, they assert privately that trust
worthy information reaching them is
award is so low it will not be ac.
cepted.
Some leaders sa ythe temper OF
the men is sue hthat they doubt
whether an immediate walk out, un-
authorized and uncalled, could BE
averted If the men are rot satisfied by
the boards decision.
The call for today's session, which
will be continued for several days, pro-
vides that the general cvhairmen can,
If they wish, pass on the award with
out submitting 1t to vote.
mBoth w. G. Lee and S. NJ. Heber-
ling, representing the bi.switchins
organizations are said to be among
those bitterly opposed to the awari
which they understand is to be
handed down. But they are work.
ing with the others to prevent any
hasty action by their men.
This conference is looked upon as
one of the most vital conclaves cf
the associated crafts" Mr.. Heber-
ling said today.
You know we are now bound to
accept the awards of the labor board.
The Esch-Cummins bill does not make
the award compulsory and neither
the workers nor the roads are forced
to accept the rulings.
II should not like 10 see a general
strike called. 1t would tie up the
country in "a hours, and in Ash ours
industries Would be forced to close.
The switcltnen have asked for a 60
per cent increase. A twenty per cen,
compromise WOulu naruly De accep.
table. Scrub women employed in the
Chicago yards are drawing more money
than are switchmen who risk their
lives in their work"
While leaders of the recognized un.
ions are in one conference, 100 chair
men Of locals of the new yardmen's
and enginemen's associations, which
called the strikes in April, gathered
to await the award. John Grunau,
president of the Chicago yardmen's
association, parent body of all the
new unions, said his men would pass
on the award independently of the
recognized lbrotherhoods. The new
unions demand restoration of their
former seniority rights before return.
ing to work. TIE labor board refused TO
hear their demands and 1t is under.
stood there will be nothing in the
award to be handed down tomorrow 10
cover the case of the strikers.