The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1921-11-02
Leaders Of Unions Call on Scheduled
WalkOut. BY Unanimous Vote Of
Organizations.


Organizations.
Chicago, Oct. 27.-The rail strike
scheduled for October 80 was ayerted
tonight when leaders of the switch
men, trainmen, conductors, engineers
and firemen at joint meeting adopt
ed resolution withdrawing authoriz-
alton Of a wal&out and officials of the
railroad telegraphers' organizations
announced they would take similar ac-
ton. These were the only unions
which had authorized a strike.
The vote calling off the strike was
unanimous 'Dy organizatios, w. G..
Lee, presidet Of the Brotherhood of
Railroad Trainmen, announced The
official working of the resolution
adopted was that "the strike be de-
clared not effectiYe."
The vote in the individual unions
was unusually close, however, the fire
men particularly holding lengthy ar
guments before agreeing to cancella-
ton of the strike order, the labor
chieftain said. In some Of the groups
the ballot was described as "the clos
est in history on similar question" I"
All of the differences were ironed out
by the different unions, however, and
the final show down found all Of them
casting their ballots for "no strike"
L. ID. Sheppard, president Of the
Order Of Railway Conductors, said
that the unions had decided to call off
the strike because Of "the growing
public opinion that the strike would
be against the labor board, conse-
quently the government, ard not
against the roads.
1T was evident also that the entire
Washington administration was op-
posed to us and that we had little
chance Of gaining our objectives," said
Mr.. Sehppard
I'VE called this strike to gain cer-
tain rights to which our men were
entitled" Mr.. Sheppard told the AS
sociated Press. "It soon became evil
dent, however, that the roads, were
succeeding in their misleading propa-
ganda to the effect that we really
would be striking against the govern
ment. This railroad propaganda found
its way to the United States railroad
labor board. This governmental agen-
cy told us that it would look on a
strike as against it and the govern
ment and not against the roads, and
that the full force Of the government
would be brought to bear against us
If we walked out. Under such cir
cumstances there was nothing to do
but annul our orders for the October
80 walkout."
The first announcement of the ex-
ecutives' action was made by Mr.. Lee.
Rushing to the floor below the hotel
meeting room where dozens of news
paper reporters were congregated, he
smiingly shouted:
"The strike is off, boys, but I've only
got one copy Of the resolution and I'll
show that to you tomorrow"
All Of the union men were smiling
as they came out and many OF them
jocularly pushed and showed each
other down the stairs. To all queries
most Of them replied:
TITS all settled. See you tomor-
row.n
The code messages calling Off the
strike, arranged In advance, will be
sent out tomorrow morning, the union
heads said A code word will be
sent to each general chairman Of the |
infons and he will In turn forward
!he orders 10 each of the subordinate !
,fflciaIs under him-
Union leaders, said that the resolu-
ion adopted by the labor board an
louncing that no further reduction /
from any one group OF en-
,loyees would be consfdBreG untirE
conditions FOR that group had /
,een settledI was decidedly lnstru-
mental" in bringing about the action
;alling off the walkout Thay deelared /
hat they believed under Ills resnlu-
ion 1t would; be months before their
,ay could be, reduced /
The union resolut tfDn Immediately /
vas communicated to tho labor board
md proved particularly gratifying to.
Walter NfeIMemmen, members ef the
abor group who was. Instrumental in !
about the settlement Of the
,risis.
Mr.. McMenimen, personal friend Of /
Mr. Lee. paved .thn way for confer