The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-10-14
kAll. HEADS ASK
WAGE cur BEFORE
LOWERING RATES

Continued From Page Onel
reductions. Some Of the union leaders
admitted that the vote did not mean
a walkout Of the railroad employees,
although it was reported that Octo-
Der 80 had been tentatively agreed
upon by the union heads for sectional
strikes Of the employees if strikes were
finally decided upon.
Tho men do not want to quit
work" said W. 6. Lee. president Of
the brotherhood OF railway trainmen.
The offices of the various unions
don't want to declare a walkout, he.
cause they know such action would
be foolhardy."
An opportunity to present the en-
ploycs claima to the conference of
executives was asked in a message
TO y. dc Writ Cuyler. chairman Of
the conference, itw as said and sever
al of the union chiefs were still Ia
the city awaiting results of the exc,
cutives meeting and their dicussion
OH proposals to reduce wages and
rates.
The special committee of the asso.
citation of railway executives, which
conferred last week with President
Harding and other government offlc-
ials on the railroad situation, will pre-
sent the plan to lower freight rates.
The committee included President
Cuyler representing security hold
tnl -
Pennsylvania system; President Smith
OF the New York Central; President
Hale Holden of the Burlington and
Julius Kruttschniit of the Southern
Pacific board Of directors.
Should the railway executives agree
on a pay reduction. an agreement
would have 10 be reached with the
unions before it could be put into
effect, according to the transpor.
tatioI act and this failing. arbitra-
tion would be necessary before the
railway labor beard. Following that
the interstste Commerce Commission
would have TO rule upon a rate cut.
The executives, among whom were
n score of the leading railroad off.
GERS in the country, expected to con.
clude their discussion in one day.
taking swift action on the wage and
rate reductions. The initiative in ask.
ing reductions would be taken by the
individual roads, according Ia those
attending the meeting, rather than by
the association.
Varying conditions in different parts
Of tho country would necessitate diff.
ferent rates Of wage reductions. they
said. although groups of roads in
similar regions might act together.
Application for wage reductions will
he made TO the United states railroad
labor board or for freight and passen.
commerce commission.
None Of the brotherhood chiefs would
deny or confirm reports that October
30 had been tentatively decided Oh :o
begin calling out employees on so-called
hostile railroads. Progress was TEN.
porarily halted in the brotherhood dis
cusslons. pending tie reply of the
executives TO the brotherhood rcques,
for a conference.
NeanWnhe Inc remaining groups,
Including maintenance Of way, signal
men, clerks firemen and oilers and
other railroad unions met to discuss
he situation. None of them would in.
innate what their action might be.
With the removal Of the piece work,
ban by the labor board, the shopmen
were brought one step nearer strike
In August members of the six unions
affiliated with the railway employees
department ot he American Fedora
ton OF Labor. voted TO strike on the
July wage reduction. The call was
held up pending announcement 10y the
board Of its rules decision. Todays de
clsion. permitting the roads to ncgoti.
ate for piece work, was accepted as II
Iofcat by the shopmen, who have
opposed piece work strenuously.