The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-18
BILL OF RIGHTS
FOR R. R. LABOR
NOW PROPOSED.
Head of Railway Unions Lays
Down "Irreducible Minimum"
In Eleven Points Presents Basis
for New Agreement.
WAGE BATTLE IS REOpENED
Claims to Federal Board CO..
operation Would Be Easy.

Walsh in Opening Claims
Transportation Heads Conspire.
Chicago, March 1S.-Railroad labor
unions today presented what they
termed the bill of rights to the rail-
road labor board and then began an
attempt to prove insincerity of the
roads in their dealings with the unions
by cross examining high railroad Of
rlcialS who had been summoned by
the board at the request of the unions.
Frank p. Walsh, labor attorney, con-
Quoted the cross examination. He
read correspondence between railroad
leaders which was furnished by r. S.
Bfnkerd, secretary of the association
of railroad executive labor committee.
and which he said would prove his
case.
One letter from Mr.. Binkerd to T.
Dewitt Cuyler, chairman OF the asso-
citation, reported that the COMMITTEES
had voted in favor of one or more ma
tional boards of adjustment. only w.
w. Atterbury, vice president of the
Pennsylvania, voting against the reso-
| luton. Mr.. Atterbury the letter said,
had submitted a minority report
against the plan and this report later
was adopted 60 to Al, by the railroads
in an individual ballot. Mr.. Walsh
said that as a result of this, Carl Gray,
president of the Union Pacific. re-
signed as chairman of the committee.
and Atterbury succeeded him.
The resolution for the adjustment
boards was adopted March 29. 1920.
the letter said. and the minority report
was adopted April 9, 1920.
Mr.. Walsh had announced before
the meeting that he would prove that
| Mr. Atterbury. E. T. Winter chairman
of the roads conference committee,
and few others, dominated the
policies of the roads.
The unions bill of rights was pre-
sented by B. NJ. Jewell, chairman II
the railroad labor department of the
American Federation of Labor aud
outlined eleven points which Mr..
Jewell said could not be changed.
They dealt largely with working con-
| ditions.
Propose New Agreement.
JeWelps statement was a concrete
proposal as to the basis of a national
agreement which, he said, would be
satisfactory to labor. The statement
was presented in answer to the rail-
roads petition for abrogation of some
national agreements.
The eleven points, which Jewell
constituted the "irreducible minimum
on which labor would base a national
agreement, are:
I 1. Eight hours as the recognized measure
of the standard work day, with an ade-
quate hourly wage.
.. Payment for time worked in excess
OF the regular eight hours at proper over
time rates.
3, The beginning and ending Of work
shifts to be SO arranged as to permit of
reasonable living arrangements by EN-
ployes and their families.
A.. Reasonable rules for protection OF
health and safety Of employees.
3. Clear and concise definition of the
work Of each craft to be performed by
mechanics and helpers
6. The formulation of apprenticeship
/ rules to develop sufficient Competent
and efficient mechanics.
Z. Applicants for employment as me-
chanics TO be required to show that they
nave served an apprenticeship of four years,
PERIOD and that they do not be denied en-
ployment when their services are needed,
Tor any reason other than to. perform the
.tol, Work &c Tor which they are making applica-
g.. The right of the majority in each
craft to determine what organization shall
the right to make agreements which shall
apply to all workers in the craft
craft on each railroad to select a committee
or representatives who shall handle all
grievances which may arise affecting all
employees OF the craft in accordance with
provisions Of the agreement.
TO- Craft, point seniority, limiting senior
ity to the local shops or points and not
other shops, crafts or departments Of rail-
roads.
II. The right to organize and the pro-
lection OF employees against discrimination
because of membership in labor organiza-
tions.
Jewell said the reason for setting
forth the bill of rights" was to show
the board how easy it would have
been for the employees and the rail-
roads to get together on the national
agreement had the railroads shown a
sincere desire" to meet those selected
and instructed by the railroad em-
ployes to adjust the matter of national
agreements.
Conspiracy Is Charged.
Frank p. Walsh, attorney for the
unions. was to follow Jewell, question:
ing railway executives. Walsh thru
the examination, hoped to show that
a small group of Wall street bankers
were attempting to break union labor
thru their coEtro, of the railroads
Most of the railroads desired the
national agreements, he claims, but
the powerful and influential lines like
the Pennsylvania were unable to force
them to accept the proposal TO abro-
gate the national agreements
Nine men control the labor policies
of the railroads of the country, he
charges.
terbury. vice president OF the PennsI-
vania; c. Dewitt Cuyler. chairman of
the railroad managers association, and
Robert Brinkerd. secretary Minutes
Of meetings which Brinkerd was or
dered to present. would bear out union
claims, Walsh contended.
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