The Washington herald., 1921-02-11
Will Take Individual Ac-
ton and Ask for Confer
ences With Men.
WOULD PUT EACH
FIGHT UP TO BOARD
Temporary Victory Won
For Men as Trials to
Take Months.

CHICAGO, Feb. 10.-Railroad eN-
ecutives said tonight that they
would take Individual action and
ask for conferences with their un-
skilled employees in regard to wage
cuts in order that they may bring
before the Federal Wage Board
definite controversies between the
men and the roads.
! This decision was made after the
Wage Board today denied the plea
OF the railroads to abrogate all
working agreements so that they
could reduce wages.
The boards action was at least
a temporary victory for the union
men for it permits them to continue
working under the agreements they
were uphoIding until the board
hears such complaint of the rail-
roads separately.
Fight Will Take Time.
The anal outcome, however. may
give the roads some concessions, but
the men win have an opportunity
to fight each case and this will
take months.
Sentiment of the union chiefs to-
night was condensed in a brief
statement issued by W. Jett Lauck,
assistant counsel for the unions and
former secretary OF the War Labor
Board. He said:
The Labor Board by it's decision
has completely indicated itself.
The employees are overjoyed. The
case can now be heard on its merits.
The public should not be deceived
by the great amount OF discussion
as to wastefulness and inefaciency
of the rules Of the national agree
ment- The real issue is not these
rules but what they sanction-the
: principle Of eolIeetiYe. bargaining on
the basis OF union recognition.
When this principle has received
the boards sanction no further dis
|ntur Dances will occur on the rail-
lads. Enlightened public opinion
bill support the board if it comes
elean on this question"
To Continue Hearings.
The board announced it would
continue with it's hearings on the
national agreements and would
hear the employees side of the case
The railroad executives have COM
pleted the presentation of their
case.
The decision Of the board was an
Dounced soon after it convened.
The decision is one of the most
momentous in the history of the
country" Frank P. Walsh. labor at
torney, said. 'It places the board on
a parallel with the United States
Supreme Court"
Walsh declared that contrary to
Atterbury's claims, the railroads as
whole are financially stronger
than ever before. Some, he admitted
are facing bankruptcy, but con-
tended they are "chronically bank
rupt."
walsh asked for % subpoenas to
ascertain financial status of roads
including Robert S. Lovett, William
Rock efeller, H. W. Deforest, D. F
Baker, H. s. Vanderbilt. S. W
Krech, Samuel Rea, l. F. Loree, A
J. County, T. H. Davis, Fairfax Har-
risOn, W. W. Atterbury, II. f. Rey-
Rnolds, Charles Steele, Howard Ell
liott, W. II. Smith, Charles HAYDEN,
A Fl. Harris. julius Kruttschnitt
Charles z. Ingerson, E. T. Stotes.
j bury. f. B. r. Thayer, T. Dewitt
Cuyler and II. Walters.
Refusal by the United States
Railroad Labor Board to abrogate
the national wage agreement be.
tween the carriers and the 'bie
four" brotherhoods is not likely II
result in increased rates. at least
for some time to come, according
TO expert opinion expressed here
yesterday.
Although the roads were counting
on a favorable decision from the
board, in the hope that a reduction
In wages would tide them oveI
what they picture as a fnancia
crisis, it was pointed out at the of.
rces OF the Association Of Railroad
Executives here that Thomas d.
witt Cuyler, president Of the or,
raniZation, is already on record al
stating that no further increases
will be sought this year. This as
surance was contained in a publ,
statement issued the first of the
A&eaF