Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-10-22

ts.ss.s. s:S::: ss:.sssd Il u u this Ses s:ps s'' sss also ssssss'i'ssss local new: pub:
't ssss FRIDAY EVENING, OCTOBER q. 1921.
do. EVENTS OF A WEEK.
ton. The railroad strike, the date for which, October
s44szA, was set a week ago, has since that time been the
'RSEIshifSbject OF absorbing interest: Following the poll
lain g of the members of the railway brotherhoods, III
4kNmsaich a large majority of the votes were cast in ia
lsssr of a strike, the heads Of these unions issued a
marl for a strike of their members, to begin at s a.
ner October 80. The strike order affects approx
~s,seeately half a million men.
s sss The week has been given over to conferences
dimid discussions for the purpose of finding a way to
sEi1aeyent the strike; to preparations for making it e-
might've on the part of the employees Immediately at
whtcted; to planning for the operation Of the roads iii
wwinllite of the strike if it actually goes into effect; and
4.as..GGrs of the five brotherhoods with reference to their
ss.st u ''-p~ '''p''''A :" ''S S'e~' "@'~-
cru y X
fou The matter If railway wages bas heen the s,,,-
ed#ct of constant attention, if not of constant agita-1
BHon, since the summer of 1916, when, in order to
9nnlert a strike which had been called, and which was
eminent, congress passed and the president ap-
strtoved the Adamson law making material advances
M the wage scale then in force, The last wage in
inFNEease was made in 1920. In a statement issued by
haAilway executives we are told that prior to the tax
ttheg effect of the Adamson law the labor cost of the
IN d ~ GACCSOGQ. 11 400, UUU,UUU
Ser annurn. The last addition, had the increases
$len made continued for a full twelve months,
could have brought this cost up to more than 3d.
D0,0o0,0oO
nd In the early part of the present year the Railway
ottabor board ordered wage reductions amounting to
ana average Of IL per cent. This reduction took ef-
@@aMsSct on July 1. Since that decision the railway
9 !, lanagers have been preparing to make application
E . nao5r a further reduction, and Immediately prior to the
u ,suance of the strike order announcement was made
!. ysaat such application would be made at once. 1t
n tai maintained in many quarters that it was this dec
& irritation which really precipitated the strike order.
me During the summer there have been many ex-
y = ,aiss1anges between the brotherhood leaders and the
u hallway managers. Acceptance by the unions of the
J. yythuly | reduction was held in allegiance. Offers were
!. made that it would be accepted if the managers
switfould agree to make no further demand for rate
q ss.duction, and would not seek to have ~abrogated the
q errorking conditions which now prevail. The man
wp Csagyers refused, and it seems to be generally believed
Q lat the brotherhood leaders place greater emphasis
!. the working rules than on present or prospective
81 sduc1ons in the wage scale. Complaint has been
81 lade that these rules necessitate the employment
d 4 more men than are necessary, and seriously i'm
/. air the effectiveness of the working force.
~ In the crisis which exists the three members of
8-s le labor board representing the public at first sug-
rs sAcsted that the railroads Immediately make rate re-
& uctlons corresponding to the wage reductions of
6 psf July, and withhold applications for further re-
ID 1uct1ons and for changes in the rules, and that I'M
54 er these conditions the workmen cancel the strike
ss@s rider. Railway managers replied that this was i'm
fA osslble. They point out that substantial reduc-
III cons IN many rates have already been made, and
Es Saey propose that if the further reductions which
b 1ey request are granted the total of these will at
~ nee be passed on to the public in the form of re-
S|@ d1uced rates.
Ss Members of the board were called to Wash
ss sgton for conference with the president, and for the
n srst time they met formally with the Interstate
III Commerce commission. Subsequently a meeting Of
~ lie entire labor board and the brotherhood heads
4 las held, but without result. The preparations for
IA he strike continue, and the managers are preparing
q Ill the places as rapidly as possible of the men
Tho walk out.
s The United States Railroad labor board, in sum-
ailonl1g the railroads OF the country and the heads
u 1t the i've big Unions, has practically nul1ifed the
Il snN Tor a strike. The board assumed jurisdiction
Il sAfllday and Immediately ordered the union men not
NE walk ont on October 80. At the same time it
sa&ted the union chiefs and railroad executives to a
saonterence on October rs. Unless the union men
Il 4penly defy the railroad board, which is backed I'D
/ AL the authority the United States government
HaG4an give it, the walkout will not occur on October
H ss3D as planned.
n Across the water the conferences on ireland
Haye been resumed. Thus far the conference has
Ii &ypided the mort critical issues. The time has been
h Fkyoted to the working out Of certain details con-
\ G1uing which no 1rreparable breach was to be ex-
4 &<teds As the time approaches when some Of the
II xxysr issues must be taken up interest in the meet.
y increases. Ulster remains apparently the knot.
S@Stof all the problems to be handled. The leaders
Hthaf province insist on retaining substantially
Soif present status, and the representative az
S5hfheTn Ireland insist that whatever decision Is
9Sthed must include Ireland as = unit. An inter
& S~HAA~k AlfLLAIL4Nf -