The New York herald., 1921-10-17
EASTERN ROADS OUT.
OF STRIKE GROUP |
Continued from First Page.


~
America. the organisations in which an
official strike call actually has been Is
sued. and the hub Of the situation was
being transferred to Cleveland. where
the presidents Of these Ave unions ~ii'
meet Tuesday to complete the groupings
OF the railroads and settle the final de-
tails of the proposed walkout.
The union forces gained strength to-
day when Thomas NJ Pierson. vice.
president OF the Order OF Raflrvad
Telegraphers announced that the $1,000
members of his organization positively
were pledged TO strike and that tney
would make every effort to completely
tie up the country's transportation sys-
TENS.
1T is our aim to tie up transporta-
tion so completely that 1t will be I'M
possible for train to move, said Mr.
Pierson. 'Tf every telegrapher quits
work that will mean that no train orders
can be sent. and train service neces-
sarily will be at a standstill. There Is
no question but what we will order our
membership out on October 30. but the
Anal instructions probably Will not De
issued until October 21."
Differences between officials or the
railroad telegraphers. however, regard
Ing the orders status in connection with
the strike were disclosed in a statement
made by E. j. Manion, president OF the
order, who, on being advised or Mr.
Persons announcement. declared that
the yice-president had not been author
ized to give any statement whatsoever.
"The policy of the Order OF Railroad
Telegraphers has not been formulated
and Will not be known until October
2l." Mr.. Manion declared.
The shop crafts unions, comprising
about 4T6.o00 employees. to-day de-
ferred the formal issuance Of strike
caiI pending a meeting to be held here
Wednesday, but their leaders have Off
cially announced that their organizations
will be called out and that the delay In
sending out the call has been caused
purely by the time needed to draft the
final plans and orders.
Not Pledged to Remain Ont.
At the same time however, the shop
crafts leaders have made 1t known that
while they will go out with the brother
hoods and the switchmen. they are not
pledged to stay out after their own
grievances have been satisfactorily ad-
justed.
Our organizations will return to work
when they are satisfied that they have
gained their individual points," a high
official said tonight. ''The concessions
which would satisfy one body OF work.
ers might not satisfy another. 1t Is
quite certain that We will all be on the
same track going out. but there are
many sidings and We don't have to come
back together"
B. nj. Jewell, h. ad of the railway en-.
H. Ayy,a TadaHQ a.
ton Of Labor, which comprises the shor
crafts, said that his men never would
have been called out Independently on
question Of wages alone.
Acting Independently. our men never
would go out on a question OF wages
Alone" said Mr.. Jewell They will fight
to the last ditch. however, for their rules
and for fair working conditions. matters
of principle. but the executive commit
tees of the shop crafts were very much
opposed to calling strike on the wage
question alone"
Mr.. Jewell referred to the recent decision
of the shops crafts executives not to cal
a strike on the wage cut ordered July
by the United States Railroad Labor
Board, although the men nad voted by
an overwhelming majority to strike
rather than accept the cut.
tions to The men under him might be de-
layed until after the Pennsylvania Rail.
road hearing before the Labor Board
scheduled to commence October 20, al
which time the board may determine
whether the carrier has violated the
boards order directing a new election oi
shop crafts represen .atives to negotiate
working rules with tho management.
The controversy grew out of separate
elections. which the board declared void
1t ordered new elections. but they have
not been held.
The shop crafts consider this case al
a fight against their fight to negotiat,
with the employers over working condi
tons, and rneir readers expressed tn,
opinion they would prefer to strike CT
this question together with that oi
wages rather than on that of wages
alone. Mr. Jewell said.
Despite. the insistence of union of
cials that the strike would paralyze tn,
transportation system of the countr,
railroad officials steadfastly maintaine,
that they would be able to operate thei
lines. A majority of them, in state
ments last night and to-day, seemed
inclined to believe that strike woult
not actually be put into effect.
Several took the attitude that strike
would be q strike against the Govern
ment and not against the railroads
Among these was William Finley. presi
dent of the Chicago and Northwestern
Railway. who said:
Tho railroad men. II they strike. will
be going against the law Of the lant
and the orders of the United States
Railroad Labor Board. created by ac
Of Congress.
I'VE have no controversy with oui
men. We are merely obeying the man.
dates OF the Labor Board, which. after
proper hearings and due process oi
law. ordered wages decreased. The mer
now refuse to obey the orders OF the
Government as issued by the Labor
Board"
MEN IN JERSEY CITY