The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1921-10-20
z BIC RAILROADS
DEFY THE UNIONS
Rock Island and Erie Order New
SIaSheS in Pay.
RUM0R OF FRICTION DENIED
Leaders Of Big Four Brotherhoods Elk
pect A. F. of L. Unions to Walk
out-American Legion's Plea
for Weeks Delay Futile.

Chicago, Oct. 1S.-Headed by the
Erie and Rock Island systems, the
railroads opened a wage-cutting cam
paign in open defiance of the strike
threat.
This action came as the first test of
union strength at a time when Presi-
dent Harding and others were trying
to avert the strike set for October 30.
The Erie order reduces the wages
of laborers along the right of way
from 971b cents an hour to 30 cents
an hour. AS soon as this order was
given out the maintenance of way
brotherhood officers called a meeting.
Vice President J. L. Smock of the
maintenance brotherhood denied re-
ports Of friction between the big
Four" brotherhoods and the other rail
road labor organizations. The stand
of the brotherhoods affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor will be
definitely determined at tomorrow's
meeting.
Women's Pay Reduced.
OllONlllS CloSe Oh lHe HeclS Vi VIC
Erie wage-cpt order the Rock Island
system slashed the pay of women en-
ployed as matrons in the stations.
One woman, employed at the Sixty
third street station, said her pay had
been cut from 500 a month to less
than $40. She said those who were
not satisfied were being discharged.
The action of the railroads was said
by union officials to have removed all
doubt as to whether the other broth
erhoOds would join the so-called "Big
Four" in the strike. The pay cuts in
stituted were termed by brotherhood
officials as inviting the walkout
1.-THE railroads apparently feel that
they can squirm out Of this situation
and have determined to play whole hog
or nOne,'" said one of the union OH
Gals. "There is no longer any doubt
but that the trainmen, numbering
100000, will be Joined to a man by the
100000 shopmen, maintenance of
way men and other workers."
John Granan, president of the
United Association Of Rail EN-
ployees of North America said the
unions have a strike fund of 100000
and will be able to withstand a strike
of any length. He denied reports
that his organization will step in and
act as strikebreakers
Legion Plea Turned Down.
Cleveland O., oct. 1S.-"Nothing
but a miracle can stop the strike from
starting October 3d." said w. G. Lee,
president of the Brotherhood of Rail
way Trainmen, when told the Amer
lean Legion had requested delay for
a week to permit them to hold their
convention.
"The strike can't he put off," Lee
went on. 81 have no authority to do
so, and no one has, so far as l know.
If President Harding calls for a con-
ference of union and railroad heads,
I'll be glad to attend, but all our cards
are on the table"
Melville Stone, president of the LO-
connective Engineers laughed at the
proposal to apply the cut in wages to
a decrease in rail rates.
''That's joke No. l." he said "By
the time the middlemen got through
with the wage cut freight rates would
not have half of l per cent left.
LEADERS of the union will be in
constant daily conference until the
strike issue Is finally settled.
awe have taken this step with our
eyes open and the next move IS not
up to us. AS far as possible, however,
we will safeguard the rights Of the
public"