Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-10-20
RAILROADS DEFY
LABOR UNIONS
Erie and Rock Island Order New
SIashes in Workers
Pay.
REPORT OF FRICTION DENIED
Big Four Brotherhoods Expect A. r.
Of L. Unions to Walk out--Ameri-
can Legion's Plea for
Weeks Delay Fails.


Chicago, Oct. 1S.-Headed by the
Erie and Rock Island systems, the
railroads opened wage-cutting cam
paign In open defiance of the strike
threat.
This action came as the first test of
union strength at time when Presi-
dent Harding and others were trying
to avert the strike set for October 80.
The Erie order reduces the wages
of. laborers along the right " way
from 371s cents an hour to 30 cents
an hour. As soon as this order was
given out the maintenance of way
brotherhood officers called a meeting.
Vice President ]. l.. Smock of the
maintenance brotherhood denied re-
ports Of friction between the "Big
Four" brotherhoods and the other rail-
road labor organizations. The stand
of the brotherhoods affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor will be
definitely determined at tomorrow's
meeting.
Women's Pay Reduced.
Following close on the heels of the
Erie wage-cut order the Rock Island
system slashed the pay of women en-
ployed as matrons in the stations.
One woman employed at the Sixty
third street station, said her pay had
been cut from 500 month to less
than $40. She said those who were
not satisfied were being discharged.
The action of the railroads was said
by union officials to have removed all
doubt as to whether the other broth
erhoods would join the so-called "Blg
-Four" in the strike. The pay cuts in
stituted were termed by brotherhood
officials as inviting the walkout.
''The railroads apparently feel that
they can squirm out of this situation
and have determined to play whole hog
or none,'" said one of the union Off
Gals. "There is no longer any doubt
but that the trainmen, numbering
100000, will be joined to man by the
100000 shopmen, maintenance of
way men and other workers"
John Granan, president of the
United Association of Rail EN-
ployees of North America, said the
unions have strike fund Of So, OO0, 900
and will be able to withstand strike
of any length. He denied reports
that his organization will step In and
act as strikebreakers
Legion Flea Turned Down.
Cleveland. o., Oct. 1S.-"N0thing
h,,f a. 80. H., .t,,
starting October 30" said w. G. Lee,
president of the Brotherhood of Rail-
way Trainnen, when told the Amer
lean Legion had requested delay for
week to permit them TO hold their
convention
''The strike can't be put off" Lee
went on. II have no authority to do
so, and no one has. so far as / know
If President Harding calls for con-
ference of union and railroad heads,
I'll be glad to attend, but all our cards
are on the table"
Melville Stone, president of the Lo-
connective Engineers. laughed at the
proposal to apply the cut In wages TO
decrease in rail rates.
THAT'S Joke No. H. he said. "By
the time the middlemen got through
with the wage cut freight rates would
not have half of per cent left.
Leaders Of the union will he in
constant daily conference until the
strike issue Is finally settled.
eve have taken this step with our
eyes open and the next move Is not
up to us. AS far as possible. however
we will safeguard the rights of the
public"