Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-10-17
LABOR LEADERS
PLAN STRIKE

CHICAGO, Oct 17-Big labor leaders
today strOve 20 mass workers into
solid front for the Oct 80 railroad strike.
Most Independent unions, not affiliated
with the five big brotherhoods, but hav-
ing double their membership, planned to
back the big leaders in the walkout in
protest against wage slashers announced
by railroad executives.
General chairman Of several Of twenty
odd smaller unions, having an aggregate
membership of one million, met today.
Others are scheduled to meet this week.
Canvass OF these unions showed that
their membership did the same as all
big unions-voted overwhelmingly in
favor of a strike Throwing Of their
strength with the hrotherhoods would be
a mere formality, 1t was indicated.
Bert VI. Jewell, president Of the rail-
way department of the American Fedora
ton of Labor which comprises the thir-
teen distinct unions belonging to the
Federated Shop Crafts has formulated
his strike plans and instructions with his
cabinet, it became known.
JEWELS division Of railroad uniOnism
"a half a million strong-was the first
to vote TO strike and have been hanging
back for support from the brotherhoods.
OPERATORS STAND
BACK OF BROTHERHOODS.
The Order of Railway telegraphers are
prepared. Vice President T NJ. Pierson
stated,
1.-THE operators. $1,000 strong stand
back of the brOtherhoOds," he said.
Calling of a strike by the brotherhood
of Railway Clerks, Freight Handlers,
Express and Station Employees, was ex-
pected soon.
President Fitzgerald said his general
ehairmen were prepared to- put their Of
fetal sanction to the strike on a few min
utes notice. The union has a $4,000 mem
bership
Only one official, the head of one of
the smaller unions, could be found who
was not in favor of a strike.
This official stated he would 'fght the
strike tooth and nail" because the big
brotherhOods double crossed" the
smaller unions by deciding to strike and
then quit when their own demands were
met. Other officials, however, pointed
out that men in his union had voted to
strike and the only thing he could do
would be to concur.
II. P. Daugherty, vice chief Of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
handled strike detail for the chiefs of
the five brotherhoods, who are now back
at their home offices Daugherty is in
charge of the strlke headquarters in the
Consumers building. No inkling of de-
Tense plans Of railroad executives was
forthcoming. However, one executive Of
a large line indicated it would be an
easy matter to recruit workers from the
quarter OF a million jobless railroaders
in the country.
GENERAL PUBLIC
WILL FEEL STRIKE.
The general public viii be hard hit
when the fight between railroad employees
and executives gets under way.
This is how dealers in household ne
cesssities will be hit by the strike:
CoaI-The coal bin of the public
and big industries is practically
empty. The impending railroad strike
viii cause the same fall shortage as
did the coal strike OF 1919.
The public, according to II. S. Honald,
secretary Of the Illinois coal operators,
buys its coal the latter part OF Octo
Der and November.
Honald said the Zig industries have a
very meager supply on hand. Many
companies, pinched by the industrial de-
preston, have not been financially able
to lay in large supplies. The high
freight rates which, added to the cost Of
coal, also contributed to the UMPIRE
paredness Of big consumers. Some COM
panies working part time haven't seen
The necessity Of filing their bins.
chicago. Honald said. Is the largest coal