Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-10-15
RAILROAD STRIKE
MAY BE ORDERED
LAST or OCTOBER
Continued from page 4.

Continued from page /.
.~rhe railroads have decided up0n /
this course In view Of their realization I
OF the fact that the wheels OF indus
trial activity have been slowed down I
10 point which brings depression 4
and distress 10 the entire public and /
that something must be done 10 start
them again in operation.
Following the decision OF the execu-
tives to take this course, they named
n committee OF five to confer with
similar committee OF union labor lead
crs at the latter's request.
In the conference, which began inn
nediately, the union leaders asked re-
consideration Of their request OF July
that a 12h per cent wage reduction
granted BY the Labor Board be not
put into effect at once, that no further
wage reductions be sought. and that
no change be made in overtime pay
rate.
The executives rejected this pro-
posal, and then read their statement
OF purpose to seek a new reduction of
wages as a preliminary TO a reduction
IN freight rates. The labor leaders a
once left the meeting.
Few Of the union executives would
comment on the new and apparently
serious situation created by the de-
cision OF the executives 70 ask new
wage cut.
Warren s. Stone OF the Locomotive
Engineers remarked:
What will happen is more than /
can say"
w. q. Lee Of the Railroad Trainmor
was uncommunicative after the meet.
Ing. He had said previously that "th,
roads must be crazy to seek a new re.
duction when the men have just au
thorized strike over an old wage cut
lie was also quoted cs saying:
II do not see how the roads can havi
the nerve to suggest another cut"
II was admitted by the labor leader
that there had been a distinct lack o
harmony In the conference, whicl
, lasted two hours.
, The summary ending Of the session
came as a climax Of day filed witt
rumors about crises In regard TO RAN
way wage cuts and changed condi
tions for the men.
The feeling of dissatisfaction anon
! lAAAARtt WI was AnAIEdhfA MN a. NF
!, cision early in the forenoon Of tn
= Railroad Labor Board authorizing IN
railroa g TO open negotiations with tn
unions for the restoration of piece
work. which had been barred BY Rul
e OF the shop crafts national agree
z ment, entered into under the forme
e Railroad Administration.
e This decision made railroad pres
u dents jubilant, but the union leader
r seemed to be disturbed by the possib
s affect Of the announcement on n
men, 80 per cent OF who have alread
II authorized a strike rather than a,
Il cept the recent 12lz per cent redu'
h tion in wages.
n There was a report current that
n strike would be called on October 2
D. beginning in one section and spreal
le ing to other sections at forty-eiFl
10 hour intervals, but none Of the hea,
III Of the brotherhoods would admit IN
,e such action had been indorsed at the
"a meeting last night.
T. According to the reports. the roa,
is Of the country have been placed in
m groups for purposes Of the strike. al
:, IL by Oct. 30 the rail executives nal
AtO AaFOhdDtE tFSBOubr 70 the OTOknf
hood demands to open negotiation
- Group 1 would be called out. Fort
- eight hours would be given the n
- heads TO take official notice, il W
said, and IL negotiations were not o
- ened, Group would be called out, a.
NJ so on until every one Of the more IN
NJ 100000 rail workers would have L
VI their posts
ah Virtually every railway union Of q
es portance has poIled a vote in favor
81 walkout. Whether this is TO "a
In place rests now with the officers OF |
be organiza tions and principally with
all four brotherhood chiefs.
do you think this proposed pay
as will cause the workers to striker" {
he OF the railway President was asked
to night.
TO "Poohl" he replied.
int The executives Of practically all
rlv big lines in the country attended
prolonged conference which ended
cal tn. vote to ask for a new reduction
500 employees wages.
,,;u >fany proposals were brought
-