Evening journal., 1921-12-15
R. R. LABORERS
TO Fight Gu!
10000 on New York Divi-
sion Seek Permission to
Strike
ROBERTS SAYS HE
DIDN'T MAKE CALL

NEW YORK. Dec. 15.--The action
OF the United states Railroad Labor
Board in Chicago, in setting up
schedule OF ten hours n day at the
regular hourly wage for common
iahorers in new rules replacing the
National Agreement made under
Government control, yesterday
brought to union officials appeals for
strike orders from Representatives Of
$4,000 workers in the New York dis
trict
That announcement was made by
William ID. Roberts grand vice presi-
dent OF the United Brotherhood Of
Maintenance OF Way Employees and
Railway shop Laborers. The first
protest he said. came from Penn
sylvania Railroad workers. followed
by appeals from workers on the Erie.
Delaware. Lackawanna and Western.
I.ehigh Valley and the rest OF the
twelve lines operating within a sew
enty-hve-mile radius OF New York.
Mr. Roberts said that the New
York Council had advised local chair
men TO hold their numbers at work
and await action by international Of
iccrs He added that in due time
members Of he United brotherhood
would be advised from headquarters
rs 10 any future plan OF action.
Dostite the above dispatch. Will
liam d. Roberts. who was in this city
last night denied that he was re-
sponsihle for IL.
Roberts said. that the New York
Council had advised local chairmen
10 hold their members at work and
await action by international officers.
He explained these orders had been
hastoned out to forestall sporadic
strikes. and that a meeting Of the
district council would be held as
soon as word was heard from the
international officers.
He was further quoted as assert
ing that the boards new rules. even
while they retained the principle OF
eight consecutive hours constituting
a days work, and granted time and a
half pay after ten hours, carried
maintenance OF way employees back
. 10 conditions existing ten years ago
and that the result would be that
workers would be employed on the
road beds on Sundays, when travel
was lighter.
"The board has abolished the
eight-hour-day in fact" he declar-
ed, according to the dispatch THE
eight-hour principle, 1t speaks OF
becomes worthless declaration
ana therefore dead issue. The
board by its declaration has estab-
iished its even day week and the ten
hour day. and it's eight hour prin-
cple is not worth the paper 1t Is
written on"
Wilmington railroad men affected
by the ruling Of the United State
Railroad Labor Board have dis
played an apathetic attitude ans
have not taken any steps relativ,
thereto. nor have they made OF
authorized a statement pertaining
to the matter Men, we'll informed
IN labor circles, stated freely no ac-
ton savoring retaliation would find
countenance among the transporta-
ton employees in this city.
This statement was lent color
when IL was ascertained that the
six shop crafts have delayed the
meeting OF their advisory council
until next week. Railway em-
ployes stated the Chicago ruling
would not be discussed at this meet
ing. II was explained that before
any definite action could be main.
tained by the local brotherhoods
the International officers must lool
the matter over and lend their en-
dorsements in behalf OF the action
No papers have been prepared, OF
contemplated, with the idea OF con
testing the ruling.