The New York herald., 1921-10-24
Clerks Renew Selfishness
Charge Against Brother
hoods in Decision.
NO TINE NOW, THEY SAY
Telegraphers Show Signs of
Resembling Order TO
Join Walkout.
SIGNALMEN TAKING VOTE
Rail Executives Say Service
Men Could Hamper Roads
Only a Day or So.
SIGNALMEN TAKING VOTE
BIZ fhc hssooin,c6 pr.as.

OF tfaF RhhNftIIf0 fFtafs
CHICAGO, Oct. 23.-The prospective
rail strike scheduled for October 80
was limited to approximately one.
fourth Of the nations railroad en-
ployees when officials OF the Brother
hood Of Railway and Steamship
Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express
and Station Employees, representing
100000 men, voted tonight not to
authorize walkout By their mem
| bers for the time being.
This action increased 10 nine the
number of major rail unions that
have voted not to strike. and tho
by such action to about three-fourths
Of the country's total OF approx
mately 100000.
The vote was taken in meeting
which some OF the oflcials at first
favored a wslkout October 80, in pro-
test of recent wage cuts. These off,
cials finally swung over to a mo
SlIiht hoN Poiitys OuS thC qu~Ss'Sih
OF quitting work will be taken up
again after the Labor Board renders
decision on the questions regarding
rules and working conditions now be.
1 fore II.
Only Two Jnions May Help.
To.night's action by the clerks lett
the signalmen and the telegraphers
/ the only organizations in the eleven
standard rail unions which may join
the conductors, firemen. engineers.
trainmen and switchmen in the
strike they have called.
| The telegraphers tentatively have
| aligned themselves with the Bis
Five" but officials Of this union sale
tonight that the decision might be
changed before the strike date arrives
The signalmcn have not yet voted.
While the official statement an
nounclng the clerks action said that
| everything had been harmonious 1.
! the meeting. individual officials de-
clared the decision had been made
only after vigorous debate.
! II was argued By these officials that
| the clerks arc more closely related in
their work TO the members OF the Big
Four" hrotherhoods than are any O:
! the other union men, and that conse~
! duently many OF them thought they
should support the big Four in its
strike call.
| The turning point in the debate
carne when il waa said the officials
announced that they, like the leaders
OF the other standard" unions, had
been unable to persuade the brother
hoods and the switchmen 10 agree to
support them throughout the proposed
strike.
Brothcrhoods Won't Change.
! When ~ was announced that the
brotherhoods had informed the ON
cials that their men would return to
work when their personal grievances
had been settled, regardless OF the
action of other striking unions, the
! sentiment swung TO the no strike plan.
It was said by those present at the
meeting.
The statement announcing the
clerks action was almost the same
word for word as the one yesterday
from the Federated shop Crafts. an
| nouncing that their men would not be
authorized 10 strike. II pointed out
ssc he fv,,n Aa
strike
Having nnally decided 10 keep their
men at work for the time at least. de-
spite the overwhelming vote cast IN
favor OF strike. leaders OF a majority
Of tho eleven standard" rail- unions
were on the way home tonight TO COM
municate 10 their followers the decision
not 10 join the Big Five In the walk
out scheduled for October 80.
The last Of the series OF meetings OF
these unions was held tonight when the
grand officers OF the CLERKS organise
/ tion rendered their decision. The sig
nal men are expected 70 call meeting
Of executives within few days to take
strike action. this organization being the
only one that has not met to discuss
the walkout question.
stgnaImen Arc BsilottnG.
! 4 strike ballot Is being taken among
the $4,000 organized signalnen. the bal
/ lot being general IN terms. and simply
asking that the officials be authorized
20 take what action they think necessary
20 protect the interests of their men.
| This ballot probably will be finished
by next "wednesday. n. w. Heit. presl-
dent of tine union. said tonight AL
chairmen have been notified TO be ready
10 come here ON short notice. Mr.. Hslt
said.
The action OF eight OF these unions.
3 Witch are aflliatsd with the Americf~
] Federation Of Labor. In deciding not w