Evening journal., 1921-08-01

recognized in the boards decision,
although non-union men were de-
clared to have full and equal rights.
In a form ballot drafted for use in
the new election employees are to be
given their choice Of representation
by the Pennsylvania system fedora
tion, afiiliated with the railway em-
ployes' department of the American
Federation of Labor, the American
Federation OF Railroad Workers, or
by any other organization or individ-
ual for whom a majority vote is cast.
/ Silent ON Open Shop.
The labor board refused to be
drawn into a discussion OF the open
shop, for which the Pennsylvania
has openly contended. II was On
this principle that the railroad re-
fused recently to recognize the
unions claims to representation OF
the majority of shop employees and
proceeded to hold general election.
The board, however. said the dis
pute which arose over the unions
claims vase merely one Of proceed
ure."
Neither the Pennsylvanla's general
election or ballot conducted by the
system federation was fair or legal
the board said, and the employees
have consequently been denied their
legal right oselect representatives
for this important conference on
rules"
The boards decision declared the
/ dispute one OF technicalities. adding
/ that "at a time when the nation Is
slowly and painfully progressing
/ through the conditions of industrial
depression. unemployment and un-
rest. il Is almost reasonable for any
employer or employe to stubbornly
haggle over non-essentials at the
risk OF social chaos"
Conference August 10.
The boards ruling orders a con-
ference on or before August 10 be-
tween representatives OF the road
Pennsylvania System federation. OF
any cher organization having shoT
crafts members and established "a
function as a labor organization, a,
set forth in the transportation aci
and any other representative car.
rying the signed authorization OF 10C
unorganized employees. This confer
ence is to determine the methods o.
. holding the new election and tn,
general committee will also hav,
charge Of the election.
The carriers, however. refused q
negotiate with this committee and {
! ballot was sent out by the road.
This balloting did not provide fo
designating any organization. re
! quiring votes to be cast for individ
r uals. On refusal OF the company {,
amend the ballot allowing votes 10
organizations, the union men refus
- ed to vote the company ballot an,
{ issued one Of their own.
o The Pennsylvania recognized onl,
e the committees named by its ballot
s conferred with them and subse
y quently put into effect rules negoti
ated with those committees II {
r these rules which the board toda
Z declared void.
4 Question OF Representation.
r The dispute. as the labor boar
E viewed IL. was entirely one OF VIII
should represent the employees. tn
S transportation act, however. does no
s prescribe the method by which EN-
ployes shall select their representa-
! tives and both parties correcti
e concluded that an election by ballc
would be necessary" the decislo
said. There the dispute arose.
The carrier had no more righ
o. TO undertake 10 assume control O
the selection Of representatives O
p the employees than the employe
, would have had in supervising IN
naming OF .he carrier representa-
, tives." the decision said. "In thi
p, sophisticated land OF popular elec
, tions no political party would sub
NIT 10 having its primary held an
managed by the opposing party"
The Pullman Company was re
Gently involved in a similar disput
. and after holding a general election
u disregarding the unions was ordere
y by the board to negotiate with IN
s union committee. The Pennsyl
Q vania, however. is given the oppor
j. tunity OF new election by which
is expected both union and nor
y union employees will be satisfied.