Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-04-04
R.R. MEN PLAN NEW
ALLIANCE SVARSTEP
n. Y. Workers Urge Unions
To Form District
Councils
175,OOO REPRESENTED
Transportation Brotherhcods Urged
to Affiliate With the A. +. of L.
250 Unicns Represented

) New York, April 4.-Represent2.
t.ves of l75,000 organized railroad
employees in special convention here
yesterday called upon the executive
heads cf the recognized national and
international railroad unions to sane
tion the formation of district "offen-
sive and defensive" alliances-rail-
road district councils-in the Nlw
York tis;r;ct and at other Strategic
points ii the railrcad:ng industry"
These district organizations are
necessary, it was stated IN q letter
sent to the executive union officials,
to enable the railroad employees ito
better resist the concentrated attacks
of the Railway Executive Associa-
ton" and "to bring about closer
affiliat!on of all railroad employees and
perfect 100 per cent. organization in
all crafts oy stimulating interest in
their own welfare and educating them
in the Yaiue of solidarity
Delegates to the convention, VINO
represented all local railroad unions
in the Greater New York district,
. urged, that "a state cf status quo
should be declared by the American
Federation of Labor so as to Gear the
way and make it possible foi what
are now commonly known as the trans
portaticn brotherhocds to affiliate win
the American Federation Of Laoor.
Through this action, it was stated,
the "preambles and resolutions that
gave birth to industrial autonomy
by the formation of the general de
partments within the federation would
be preserved"
More tran $50 representatives OF
local unioas in the New York district
attended Che convention, which was
called by district officers CT the United
Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way
Employs.
Tire delegates affirmed their confld-
cnce in their international and nation
81 officials and pledged them our all
in their un.;r:ng efforts to secure and
maintain for the railroad employees
the wor.ing conditions and the stan
e,ard OF wing that they are so justly
entitled TO"
*"We further believe that It would
be to the best interest of all con-
ce,nad." ADDED the communication
chat the present existing pact be-
tween the 16 recognized railroad
rr:crs be reaffirmed and continued
indefinitely, and that the principle OF
c.ast amalgamation and industrial!
autonomy be not only recognized as
principle but to oe heralded by the
railroad workers as an accomplished
fact"
Il would be to the best interest OF
tire organized railroad employees IN
the different railroad centers, Il was
stated. "-hat they be perun:tted 20
form friendly railroad distinct councils
in order 20 bring about a oetter Local
understanding ard so that they may
be better able to carry out the man.
dates of TIE several national and IN
ternaticna: un:or,s in line with the
!, offensive and defensive program as
1 at presen. in effect. And that sa!o
railroad district councils be allowed to
function and ne officially recognized
by the executive council Of, the Amer
can Federation II Labor; and the eS
4 ccusiyc ccurril Of the railway em'
ployes' department Of the American
Federation Of Labor to issue wha;
may be k"own as emergency charters
fer the present. or until a final 6ispo
M sition 5 made of the policy manifest
Y cd here II the district Of New Yorl
and other strategic points in the rail
u road:ng industry throughout th
81 United States where this matter ha!
been given serious consideration.
Formation Of the district counc:.
was declared 10 be imperative q
this mmoent of concentrated cppos;
ton On the part CT those who Won,
divide the railroad employees in crde
to destroy their economic orgariz;
ton
Chicago. April 4.-B., NJ. Jewe
president cf the railway empoi-e
department Of the American FEEDER