The New York herald., 1921-07-06
CHIEFS OF 16 UNIONS
ORDER REFERENDUM
ON Rail WAGE CUTS
Big Four and IA Others at
Chicago Conference Refer
Entire Subject to Vote
of Membership.
1.5OO LEADERS PRESENT
Decision Before Sept. l on
Reductions and Changes
in Working Conditions
All Over Country.
SOME ROADS DEFY BOARD
Conferences With Executives
of Lines Urged in Effort to
Avert Situation That Would
Be Most DeplorabIe.
SOME ROADS DEFY BOARD

tHlCAGO, July o.--lne membership OF
sixteen railroad labor associations, in
cluding the Big Four brotherhoods,
will decide through a referendum vote
by September whether to accept or re-
ject the IL per cent. wage reduction
that went into effect on railroads
throughout the country July l, 1t was
decided tonight by the chief execu-
tives and 1900 general chairmen OF
the organizations.
The general chairmen decided that
they could rot assume responsibility
for the wage reduction that was or
dered by the Railroad Labor Board.
e. II. Fitzgerald president Of the
Brotherhood Of Railway and Steam
ship Clerks. Freight Handlers, Express
and Station Employees. said that
Nothing can be expected of the rail-
road employees interested in the de-
csion of the Labor Board except to
resist to the fullest extent the reduc-
ton of rates of pay and the proposed
abrogation OF certain favorable work.
Ing conditions"
Organizations at Conference.
Organizations represented at the con-
ference tonight at which the decision to
have referendum vote was made fol-
low
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers,
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and
Enginemen, Brotherhood OF Railroad
Trainnen, Order of Railway Conduc-
tors all known as the Big Four brother
hoods; Brotherhood Of Railroad Signal
men of America, Brotherhood of Rail-
way and Steamship Clerks, Freight
Handlers. Express and Station EN-
ployees. Brotherhood OF Railway Carmen
OF America, International Alliance OF
Amalgamated Sheet Metal Workers. In
ternational Association of Machiniists.
International Brotherhood of Black
smiths. Drop Forgers and Helpers, In
ternational Brotherhood Of Boilermak-
ers, Iron Shipbuilders and Helpers OF
America, International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers. International Broth
erhood of Firemen and Oilers, Order
Of Railroad Telegre piers. Switchmen's
Union of North America and the United
Brotherhood OF Maintenance OF Way
Employees and Railway Shop Laborers.
All except the BlS fOuT prOlueTnOOus
qre members of the Railway Employees
Department Of the American Federation
pf Labor, of which B. M Jewell Is presi-
dent
The chief executives and general
chairmen of the sixteen organizations
decided upon their united course OF ac-
lion after the general chairmen OF the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemon and
Of Raf1 CnrAuc-
tors, Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.
and the Switchmens Union Of North
America had told the other organiza-
tions that the plan was the one which
they would follow.
To Confer with Roads.
The chief executives and committees
handling these matters were directed In
q resolution ito clearly place the rep
resentatives of the railway corporations
on record whether they will request fur
ther decreases in rates or compensa-
ton, the abolition of schedule rules or
regulations the elimination of time
and one-half time"
The resolution further stated that the
wishes OF the men, as expressed by
ballot, shall determine the matter in ac-
cordance with the laws Of the organiza-
tions."
Announcement was made that the
resolution Will be considered by the
properly constituted authorities OF the
other standard recognized railroad labor
organizations and that II was expected
they would announce their positions
within forty-eight hours.
The resolution said that the gensral
chairmcn were required not only to
consider wage reduction. but in many
Instances railroad officers have served
notice of their intention TO abolish time
and one-half for overtime In freight and
yaru service and in addition thereto to
revise schedules for the benefit of the
railroads by abolishing many rules and
conditions which in the aggregate mean
the less of much money and the crea-
tion of less favorable conditions for tho
various classes of employees"
Much uneasiness and unrest exist"
the resolution continued, which cause
deer concern and add TO the seriousness
of the situation. and establish con-
ditcn OF affairs which makes II prac-
ticaty impossible for the general chair
men to take the responsibility Of de-
Gliding these important questions, for the
reason that we hold that no reduction
in wages Of the various classes is tusti-
fiatie."
The resolutions directed the executive
officers to call to the attention OF those
fn authority "the fact that certain car
riers. namely, the Missouri and North
Arkansas Railway and the Atlanta. Bir-
mingham and Atlantic Railroad, have
dlstegardad the decisions and 1outed
the authority Of the Railway Labor
Board"
Tho general chairincn said that the
resolutions were adopted despite all
these provocative circumstances. coupled
/. with common desire TO refrain from
'Ntaking action that might precipitate n
dcporable situation"
Appro~ ~mately i.500 delegates from