The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-29
Unions Walking Out Without
Federal Consent Lose Rights.
Transportation Act Protection
Not for Economic Outlaws"
ROADS WILL AVOID FRICTION
Western Association, However,
to Ask 10 Per Cent Cut.
Need Wage Reduction Before
Lowering Rate Schedules.
(By the Associated Press.)

Chicago, Oct. 29.-The United
States railroad labor board today. in
effect, forbade railroad union labor
from striking without the boards per-
mission, and declared that all strik
ers who violated the order would be
classed as outlaws who had voIuntar-
lily removed themselves from the pro-
lection of the transportation act
The board made three findings.
These were:
First-That all such disputes must
be referred to the board before any
action is taken.
Second-That any interruption of
traffic would be a blow aimed at the
peace, prosperity and safety of the
entire nation.
Third-That any union going out on
strike will forfeit its right and the
right of its members in all existing
contracts and lose all benefits accord
ed by the transportation act.
This was the boards s final statement
on the railroad strike, which was to
have been called tomorrow morning
by the big four brotherhoods and the
Switchmen'S union.
Toned down considerably from the
first draft. prepared before the unions
had called off their threatened strike,
the decision based on the hearing held
by the board last Wednesday, still set
forth in plain language the boards de-
termination to assert the maximum
power allotted to it under the trans
pOrtation act
Every dispute involving changes in
wages. rules, working conditions, ETC..
must be referred to the board and no
action taken by either side until au-
thorized by the board, the decision
says
New COutrOversfes Soon
Prospects of further controversy In
the raj situation was seen today when
i. became known that railroad execu-
tivcs were proceeding with prepara-
tions for new wage cuts. Applica-
tions for such reductions, however,
Will have to be made thru the labor
board.
Another development was the re-
port of an open split between the rail-
way unions. Executive officers of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi-
neers and the Brotherhood of Firemen
and EnGincmen, headed by Warren S.
Stone and w. S. Carter, are said to
have demanded the brotherhood chair
man sever relations with the Brother
hood of Railway Trainmen. News of
the break in the ranks of the 'big
five brOtherhoods came prior to the
departure OF the union chiefs for
Cleveland.
The action of the engineers, and fire
men is directed it was said. against
w. G. Lee, chief of the trainmen 1t
was Lee, chiefly, who forced thru the
peace measures" offered to the
unions by the labor board. In so do
ing. Lee usurped the leadership nomi-
nally held by Stone of the engineers.
Pcnnsy Road Defiant.
The Pennsylvania railroad, which
has been in controversy with the labor
board over the matter of selection OF
employe representatives with whom to
confer on wages and working condi-
tions today announced it would abide
by the boards ruling direct to hold a
new election.
The road had refused to admit the
authority of the board to prescribe
the manner in which the elections
should be held In announcing its de-
cision' the Pennsylvania declared il
mad no wish to disturb the amicable
relations resulting from the settlement
of the threatened strike.
1t was intimated, however, that
the Pennsylvania might later bring {
friendly suit to test the powers Of the
board to direct how it shall hold its
elections.
New Cuts To Be Asked.
In statement issued today, S. NJ
FELTON,, chairman of the western grour
OF the Association of American Rail
way Executives, made it clear that
while further wage cuts were to be
asked, no precipitate action that will
cause friction with employees is to be
taken. An application for a 10 pei
cent decrease in wages will be made
FELTON, said, but it will accord with
the policy outlined by the labor board
I'VE need the 10 per cent reduction
II we are to cut rates" FELTON, said
but We are going to handle the mat
ter in a way that will not cause fric-
ton"