Great Falls tribune., 1921-10-27

AHdt Tue uQiOUB suspend or Gull OH
j the strike, ordered for next Sunday
! and based on the wage cut made las,
July, pending decisions by the board ON
further wage cuts or on any revision OF
rules which the employees fear the roads
will ask. The roads have already an
nounced their intention OF seeking q
10 per cent wage cut for the train
service men in addition to the II per
cent slash of last July. Many roads
have Indicated a desire to abrogate
time and half for overtime also.
Fear Changes In Rules
Throughout the hearing the union
leaders insisted fear of changes in rules
and fear of further wage reductions
had influenced their men in voting to
strike. The board is understood to be
preparing to urge that this fear Of
future is not sufficient grounds for
strike and that the men can not lose
anything by waiting for those decisions
to be rendered.
The unexpected ending of the board s
had been devoted to taking testimony of
the railroads side, followed a series Of
whispered conferences among the union
leaders.
W. G. Lee. president Of the train
men, asked permission to make an an
nouncement to his general chairmen.
100 of whom were present. He called
them to meet here at 8 O'Clock Thurs
neers: L. +. Sheppard of the conduct
ors: W. s. Carter, of the firemen. and
7. c. Cashen, of the switchmen. made
similar announcements and after
brief statement from Judge r. NJ Bar
ton, chairman of the labor board, to
the effect that the boards decision as
to whether the unions had violated the
July l wage cut order would be handed
down either Thursday or Friday, the
meeting was adjourned.
Whether the proposal which the
board is expected to make Thursday
can prevent the strike was a question
no union official would comment on
Board members declined to comment
on the union meetings to be held Thurs
day. but others pointed out that the
general chairmen. grand officers and
executive committees who will be in
attendance have the power to call off
the strike without reference to any
other body.
Throughout the hearing Wednesday
Ben w. Hooper. chairman of the board
judiciary committee. developed in his
examination of the union presidents
that fear of future wage cuts or rules
changes was the impelliny motive be-
hind the Overwhelming strike majority,
rather than opposition to the II per
cent wage reductions of last July. Each
president declared he did not accept
the July cut, but that it alone would
r0t horo hoov, nun,,~A
a strike.
Declares Unions Will Strike
After a day Of verbal jockeyins with
the labor board union leaders declared
that NO power on earth save a .satis-
factory settlement" can prevent their
men walking out beginning next Sunday
at 6 o'clock.
Their declaration came just at the
close Of day Of fruitless questioning.
when Judge r. NJ. Barton. chairman Of
dent in turn and asked him four pre-
pared questions:
l. Who. or what authority. in your
labor organization, can withdraw the
order to strike or stop strike?
2. suppose you, the chief executive
Of your labor organization, or your ex-
ecntive committee issued an order or
statement that strike should not oc-
cur, do you mot believe the strike would
be prevented?
8. II the board shall declare strike
is not justified and should not occur
and direct that the employees not strike.
win that order be obeyed?
4. Will you. as chief executive, use
your power and influence to see that
The orders OF the board on the matter
be obeyed?
The union chiefs. Warren 8. Stone.
pf the engineers; w. g. Lee, Of the
4 j sheppard. Of the con