The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-10-19
Drif ting Toward
Big Strike
Railroad Executives and La
bor Union Officials Far
From Agreement

Chicago, Oct. IA. (By the Asso-
ciated Press) Representative OF
the nations railroads today, after
announcing that they can not re-
duce freight rates at present with
out going into bankruptcy, and
that they would Immediately seek
further reduction in the en-
ployee's wages from the railroad
labor board, went into a futile con-
ference with union leaders in an
effort to reach an amicable settle
nent Of wage differences which at
times have threatened to tie up
the transportation system of the
country.
At the conference union lead
ers asked reconsideration of their
request of last July that a y 1-2
per cent wage reduction granted
by the labor board be not. put into
effect Immediately, that no fur
ther wage reductions be sought at
present and that no change be
made in the overtime pay rates.
This request was refused and the
railroad heads presented their
statements announcing the propos-
al to seek new reductions and not
to reduce rates until further re-
auctions We're granted.
The labor leaders left the con-
ference Immediately and few of
them would discuss its proceed
ings or predict the results.
II am no prophet" said War
rem S. Stone, president OF the
Brotherhood of Locomitve Engi-
neers. What will happen is more
than I can say
Sees Trouble Ahead.
w. G.. Lee, president of the Bro
therhood Trainmcn. refused to dis
cuss the situation after the meet
ing, but previous to it mad said
that the roads must be crazy to
seek a new reduction when the
men have just authorized strike
over an old wage cut.
Later tonight Mr.. Lee said that
the district chairmen of the
unions would receive their final
instructions tomorrow as to wheth-
er there would be a strike. Asked
point blank if a strike would be
ordered, he said:
Il will not say definitely, but
were a betting man I would place
my money that there will be a
strike.
Regardless of what action is
taken, the final decision is only a
matter Of the rising and setting of
a few suns. The district char
men will receive their final orders
tomorrow and they will go home.
Many chairmen already have peen
sent home and will receive their
(orders by mail"
r. S. Binker of the association
of Railway Executives said that
the transportation system was fac
ing one of it's greatest crises, but
also refused to make predictions.
Union leaders freely admitted
however, that there had been little
harmony between the committee
in the conference. The executives
had previously announced that the
proposals to pass further wage re-
ductions on to the pu bile by ap-
plying to the interstate commerce
commission for reduction in
freight and passenger rates had
been accepted and that all future
wage reductions would be met by
corresponding rate reductions.
The conference was begun at
the suggestion Of the union lead
ers. their invitation for meeting
being accepted by the railroad
heads following the announcement
concerning freight rates. AS the
meeting started, the committee ap-
pointed by the Association OF
Railway Executives declared they
believed it would settle most OF
the immediate differences between
the carriers and their employees.
Members Of Committee
The labor committee was com
posed Of Mr.. Lee, Warren S. Stone
president of the Brotherhood OF
Locomitve Engineers; L. Z. Shep-
pard, president of the Order OF
Railway Conductors; w. S. Carter
president Of the Brotherhood OF
Locomotive Firemen and Engine
men, and P. c. Cashen, president
of the Switchmen's Union Of North
America.
The railroad executives COM
nittee was as follows: C. H. Mark
ham, president of the Illinois Cen
tral; w. w. Atterbury, vice pres
ident Of the Pennsylvania; ]. E.
German, president of the Chicago
Rock Island & Pacific; Carl r.
Gray president of the Union Pa
cific, and Ralph Budd, president Of
the Great Northern.
The executives, it was anno1nc-
ed wish the wages of train service
men returned to the same tasiS as
pre- ':ouS tC the increas. grated
in the labor board decision of July
1920. This will necessitate a 10
per cent. reduction. it was said.
The decision of the executives,
reached in a meeting of the asso-
citation of railway executives, fol-
lowed consideration of numerous
plans and proposals regarding
wages and rates. One proposal
was for an immediate reduction
in freight rates on agricultural