Norwich bulletin., 1921-10-27

ballot and asserted that the other ques- tions referred to all had a bearing on the frame of mind which led the em- ployes to vote flor a strike.
 The question of time and one-half off overtime and of general revisino of sched- ules were included in the decision pre- ceding the strike question proper on both the joint ballot and that of the trainmen, they said While all the union chiefs maintained that the strike question was technically taken on the July wage cut all admitted that the other questions would probably figure in any settlement leading to calling of the strike
 Questioning of the union leaders brought out that a vote against the strike had been returned on 23 roads by the conductors; on IA roads by the trainmen and on three roads by the fire men. Cashen said the switchmen ons ev- cry system voted in favor of striking. Stone, after heated protest against fur nfshing the information ito his enemies" agreed to obtain it from his office in Cleveland. ,
 Frequent Clashes at Hearing
 The hearing was marked by frequent clashes between members of the board and Stone. The engineers grand chief charged Chairman Barton was not giving the unions a fair hearing after he had at- tempted to introduce the names of seven roads, which he said, violated qyders of the board The chair ruled against the i evidence.
 Tt is not our purpose to sit here and listen to discussions going back into the history of other decisions, or the merits of decisions that we have renderedp the chairman said. If you. want to be heard on that you may be heard at another time and place.
 q want to call your attention to the fact that MT Hooper just finished asking 1 that Identical question of Mr. Sheppard, and MT. Sheppard replied to It. Stone re- | torted
 Violations of schedules by the differ ent roads has been going on for months, and that has led up to the frame of mind that you find these men whom I repre- sent in.
 If we cannot find relief in this board. then want to know where the SO,OOO engineers can find relief If we are to be prohibited explaining the feeling of our men, then I do not see that there is anything more for me to say"
 Stone finally, was permitted to read the names of the seven roads, on motion of | Walter l.. McMinirmen, labor member of the board. The first two were the At 1 lanta, Birmingham and Atlantic and the l Mlssourl and North Arkansas. both of which are in the hands of receivers.
 Don't you know our decisions were overruled by the federal courts on those roads?", Chairman Barton and Mir. Hoop CT interrupted in unison.
 Then to carry it to a logical conclu- sion, all a road needs to do is to 20 in. to a receivers hands and the transporta- ton act is null land void" Stone replied
 By adjournment time this afternoon the board had finished it's questioning ot the chief executives and the railroad representatives were on the program fo, the evening session beginning at ' o'clock
 After the day hearing MT. Cashen ir a statement to newsoapermen said:
 Nothing transpired at the day meet. ing to change the situation, so far as q settlement is concerned"
 It was decided, the board announcet at the converting of the might session that no furth.er representatives of tn, union would be called.
 Executives Questioned.
 T. Dewitt Cuyler, chairman of tho As
 sociation of Railway Executives actin, as spokesman for the rail officials. ther presented summary of events leadinc
 10 the present crisis, so far as the raj!
 way executives were concerned.
 Mir. Hooper inquired if any road in
 tended to make any change in wages O
 rules without taking the matter to tn
 board
 ''No, sir" Mir. Cuyler answered. Has any change in rules or wage been put in effect In any class of em , ployes without bringing it to this boar, l aOt wifi i4e 2
 Mir Hooper asked, directing his dues
 tion to the executives generally.
 B. A. Worthington. president of tn Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Western said he had.
 ''In the latter part of June We gay , notice to the four brotherhoods that W would like a conference as to workin conditions" he said.
 ''~le Brotherhood of Railroad Train
 mess committee responded but we wer
 unable to reach an agreement when tn
 committee was authorized by its chic ' executive to stop such negotiations.
 "On August l we discontinued paymer If of time and one-half for overtime r. "We Suggested that aftet tn econfe1 1 ence, if any controversy arose. we woul e take the disnute to your board. n "If the board decides that questio 'I against. Us we will pay back pay frol 6 August i, when the change went int + effect"
 "wFlen road makes chonge IT. a that, doesn't it encourage defiance of u
 boards decisions?' asked Mir. Hooper $ Tt didn't occur to me that this chans II might violate any board decision. becau' n a thirty day notice had been given" M " Worthington replied.
 n '- would be willing to revoke his ord T pending the boards decision and Wort Q ington said he would. T That is a fine example to set" M Hooper excloimed.
 'while that feeling is rampant" StoI
 interjected, "may I read 9 list of
 other roads which are in the same boat
 He was permitted to read his lis D which consisted of short lines.
 Only one of the roads named by M = Stone was cited in fle present hearin l. it developed from further testimony. IT l. remainder coming under a hearing he le last Nav on which the boord has Il E. yet rendered decision. )t Chairman Barton explained that ,e every case where a violation by one
 these so-called short lines" was broug IS to the attention of the board, the TO; s- had been asked to maintain previo ,e wages
 r. "Unfortunately" Mir. Stone retorte st i've want those wages for our men nc to mot for their grandchildren. Tho k men are now compelled to work f
 these reduced wages. Where we haver
 strength to resist, We merely have in stand for It."
 MT. Hooper pointed out failure of [
 ks,