The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-07-06
Decision of Chief Executives and
1,500 General Chairman
of Organizations.
WANT TO KNOW ABOUT
FURTHER REDUCTIONS
Would Place Representatives of
Railroads Clearly on Rec
ord in the Matter.
(pv The AssocIated Preas.l


CHICAGO, July 5.--The membership
Of sixteen railroad labor organizations,
Including the big four brotherhoods,
will decide through a referendum vote
by September /, whether to accept or
reject the IL per cent wage reduction
that went into effect on railroads
throughout the country July /, it was
decided tonight by the chief executives
and 1900 general chairmen of the or
ganizations.
The general chairmen decided they
could not assume responsibility for
wage reductions that was ordered by
the railroad labor board.
e. II. Fitzgerald, president of the
Brotherhood OF Railway and Steam
ship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express
and Station Employees, said that
nothing can be expected Of the rail-
road employees interested in the de-
cision of the labor board except to re-
sist to the fullest extent the reduc-
tion in rates Of pay and the proposed
abrogation of certain favorable work
Ing conditions"
They also authorized their chief ex-
ecutives to make arrangements If pos
sible to meet committee OF railway
executives to be selected to meet
Subcommittee of the five organiza-
tons ito consider and if possible ad-
just all matters in controversy"
The chief executives and committees
handling these matters were directed
in the resolution ito clearly place the
representatives of the railroad corpor-
ations on record as to whether or not
they will request further decrease IN
rates or compensation, the adjustment
OF schedule rules or regulations, or
the elimination of time and one-half
time"
Tho resolution further stated that
the ballot when submitted to the men
shall contain an impartial and un-
biased recital Of all that is involved
and the wishes Of the men as express
ed by ballot shall determine the mat
ter, in accordance with the laws Of the
organizations"
Announcement was made that the
resolution would be considered by the
properly constituted authorities of the
other standard recognized railroad
labor organizations and that it was
expected they would announce their
positions within 48 hours.
The resolution said that the general
chairmen were required not only TO
consider a wage reduction, but in
many instances railroad officials have
served notice Of their intention to
abolish time and one half for overtime
in road, freight and yard service. and.
in addition thereto, to revise schedules
for the benefit of the railroads by
abolishing many rules and conditions,
which in the aggregate mean the loss
Of much money and the creation Of
less favorable conditions for the vari-
Gus classes or employees
Much uneasiness and unrest exist"
the resolution continued, which cause
deep concern, and add TO the serious
ness of the situation and establish
condition of affairs which makes it
practically impossible for the general
chairmen to take the responsibility Of
deciding these questions for the reason
that we hold that no reduction in
wages of the various classes is jus
titled"
The resolutions directed the execu-
tive officers to call to the attention
of those in authority "the fact that
certain carriers. namely the Missouri
and North Arkansas railway and the
Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic
railroad. have disregarded the decis-
Ions and flouted the authority Of the
railroad labor board"
The general chairmen said the reso-
lutions were adopted despite all these
provocative circumstances, coupled
with a common desire to refrain from
taking action that might precipitate a
deplorable situation"
Approximately fifteen hundred dele
gates from system organizations of
the big four brotherhoods, the shop
crafts. the maintenance of way men,
telegraphers, clerks and switchmen,
met here last Friday to canvass the
situation that resulted from the IL per
cent wage reduction ordered by the
railroad board. 1t is understood that
the resolution adopted contained the
recommendations Of the committee Of
five appointed to attempt to find
solution OF the matter and TO report
hack TO the delegates.