Evening journal., 1921-07-06
TO TAKE Vote
ON wage CUT
Heads of Five R. R. Broth
erhoods Refuse to Make
Decision
BALLOTS TO BE CAST
BY SEPTEMBER

CHICAGO, July 6.-The member
ship OF 1s railroad labor organiza-
tions, including the big four brother
hoods. will decide through refer
endum vote by September 1, whether
to accept or reject the ~ per cent
wage reduction that went into effect
on railroads throughout the coun-
try July I. il was decided last night
hv the chief executives and 1900
general chairmen Of the organiza-
tons
The general chairmen decided they
could not assume responsibility for
the wage reduction that was ordered
by the Railroad Labor Board.
e. II. Fitzgerald. president OF the
brotherhood OF Railway and Steam
shin Clerks, Freight Handlers, Ex-
press and Station Employees. said
that nothing can be expected OF
the railroad employees interested in
the decision OF the labor board ex-
cept TO resist to the fullest extent
the reduction Of rates OF pay and the
proposed abrogation OF certain fa-
vorable working conditions"
The chairmen adopted resolutions
declaring that not later that Sep
ternhor 1, the matter should be
referred 70 the membership through
the various general committees for
acceptances or rejection" They also
authorize their chief executives to
make arrangements. II possible, 10
meet a committee Of railway execu-
tives to be selected to meet a sub
committee OF the fve organizations,
TO consider and II possible adjust
ali matters in controversy"
The chief executives and commit
tees handing these matters were di-
rected in the resolution ito clearly
place the representatives OF the
railway corporations on record as
TO whether or not they will request
further decreases in rates or compen-
sation. the abolition Of schedule
rules or regulations, or the elimi-
nation OF time and one-half time" }"
The resolution stated that the
ballot when submitted to the men
shall contain an impartial and un-
biased recital OF all that is involved
and the wishes Of the men as ex-
pressed by ballot shah determine
the matter, in accordance with the
laws Of the organizations"
Announcement was made that the
resolution will be considered by the
properly constituted authorities OF
the other standard recognized rail-
road labor organization ana that II
was expected they would announce
their positions within AS hours
The resolution said that the gen
eral chairmen we're required no
only tc consider a wage reduction
but In many instances railroad OF
ficers have served notice OF their in
tention TO abolish time and one-hal
for overtime in freight and yard ser
vices and in addition thereto to re
wise schedules for the benefit OF tn
railroads by abolishing many rule
and conditions which in the aggre
gate mean the loss OF much none,
and the creation of less favorable
conditions for the various classes o
employees"
much uneasiness and unrest ex
which cause deep concern and ad
to the seriousness OF the situation
and establish a condition OF affair
which makes It practically impossi
Bile for the general chairmen to TAX
the responsibility OF deciding thes
important questions, for the reaso
that we hold that no reduction &
wages OF the various classes is just
fable"
The resolution directed the execu
tive officers TO call to the attentio
OF those in authority. ''the fact this
certain carriers, namely, the Missou
and North Arkansas Railroad an
the Atlanta. Birmingham and Altar
tic Railroad have. discharged th
decisions and fiouted the authority
the Railroad Labor Board"
The general chairmen said the re-
olutions were adopted despite a
these provocative circumstance
coupled with a common desire to r.
frain from taking action that migi
precipitate a depiorable situation
Approximately 1900 delegat
from system organizations Of II
big four brotherhoods, y the sh,
crafts, the maintenance OF way me
clerks and switchmen, met here Ia
Friday TO canvass the situation tn
resulted from the 12 per cent wa
reduction ordered by the Railroi
Labor Board.
It is understood the resoluti
adopted contained the recomme
dations Of the committee OF five a
pointed to attempt to find a sol
tion Of the matter ana 10 report ba
to the delegates
This committee was headed by
NJ. Jewell, president Of the Railw
Employees Department Of the Anne
can Federation Of Labor 9th
members were r. I. Fitzgerald, pr,
ident Of the Brotherhood Of Railw
and Steamship Clerks. Freight Har
lers. Express and Station Employ
L. f. Sheppard. president Of the {
der Of Railway Conductors, F.
Manion. president OF the order
Railroad Telegraphers and Timot
Shea, vice-president OF the Broth
hood Of Locomotive Firemen a
Enginemen-
MECHANIC CTARnC nRTrT