The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-09-27
LITTLE DOUBT THAT
EMPLOYEES VOTED TO
DECLARE A STRIKE
Strike Vote, However, Has Not
Yet Been Counted by the
Brotherhood Officials.
LEADERS OPPOSED TO
ANY DRASTIC ACTION
Advice Apparently Has Failed to
Influence the Voting Of
the Frank and File.
q 10 AssooIatsd e-ess.l


CHICAGO, Sept. 26.-Leaders OF the
big four brotherhoods and affiliated
unions tonight declared they had little
doubt that the railway employees had
voted for general strike rather than ac-
cept wage reduction but announced that
the conservative counsel Of the leaders
might prevail against a walk-out
General chairman of the Brotherhood OF
Railway Trainmen began counting the
$4,000 strike ballots Of their men. bur
admitted before the first envelope was
opened that judging from the known tenn
per Of the men, the result win be over
whelmingiy in favor of strike. Giving
an estimated majority, Vice President
James Murdock said:
Our past experience has been that
ninety-eight per cent OF the men win al
ways vote to strike"
Next Monday officials Of the Brother
hood OF Locomotive Engineers. order Of
Railway Conductors. Brotherhood Of I.o-
comotive Firemen and Enginemen and
Switchmen's Union OF North America viii
meet here to count the strike vote or
their $3.50 members.
Railroad union leaders here expect All
the brotherhoods and the switchnen's
union to cast substantial maiorities for q
strike The affiliated shop crafts have
already voted by a majority Of approxi-
mately $4,000 to $4,000 10 walk out and
are only waiting TO see what action the
other unions VIII take and for the United
states railway labor board 20 dispose Of
the pending working rules agreements.
Reports Of the general chairnen Of The
trainmen when they assembled today were
plainly disappointing to the union leaders.
The trainmen have voted on a separate
baliot because their leaders did not ap-
prove Of the joint ballot prepared by the
other unions. On September 12 President
W. @. Lee addressed a circular letter to
the men IN which he pointed out five
reasons why he thought a strike would
be unwise at this time and why the men
might expect to accept some wage re-
duction.
He asked the men to consider the fact
that wages and working conditions Of All
classes established since 1913 were the
result OF world war, that 200 coo men
are now unemployed; that nearly an
classes of labor have been forced by med
iation, arbitration. strikes or Iockouts 10
accept reduced rates OF pay during tho
past year; that the increased wages
granted railroad men last year were based
on increased cost OF living and that gov
ernment reports indicate a lG per cent
cut in living costs since July /, 1920.
The letter, however, apparently has
failed to influence the voting. the gem
eral chairmen reported today
The strike vote. however. union Off
cials pointed out does not necessarily
mean the immediate calling Of a strike.
The question as submitted to the men car
ried a vote for or against a strike un-
less the wage reduction question can be
settled in a manner satisfactory to the
general grievance committee representing
the class Of service in which I am en-
gagged"
The grievance committee VIII probably
meet here as soon as the vote IS can
Continued on Page Two.l