Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-03-18
Jewen mikes Proposal

Chicago, March 18.-Eleven basic
principles satisfactory to labor and on
which labor would be, willing to me-
gotiate agreements were laid down be-
board today by B. M. Jewell, president
of the railway employees department
of the American Federation OF Labor
These fundamentals. upon which
the national agreements are based
consist only Of those elementary prin-
ciples and safeguards which enlight-
ened public opinion has sanctioned
and officially declared necessary to
the well being of the men and women
employed not only in the transporta-
ton industry but in all basic indus
tries" Mr.. Jewell said. "
Arguments upon the proposal of
the railroad executives to abrogate
the national agreements has occupied
the attention of the board since Janu.
ary 21. when the request was submit
ted by w. w. Atterbuy, vice preai-
dent of the Pennsylvania railroad.
The Conditions.
The fundamentals which are the
basis Of the national agreement are as
follows, Mr.. Jewell said: -
''The eight hour day; proper over.
time rates for work in excess of eight
hours; arrangement Of working shifts
for reasonable living arrangements by
employees and-their families; reason
able rules for the protection of health
and safety of employees: definition OF
the. work of each craft to be perform j
ed by mechanics and helpers; formu-
lation of apprentice rules. four years
apprenticeship requirement for me
chanics: right of the majority of each
craft to determine what organization
shall represent them; right to select a
committee to handle grievances; lin
iting Of craft seniority to local shops
and not permitting interchange of
seniority with other shops or crafts.
and right to organize without discrim-
ination.
! IF machinery is to be successfully
established for the 'peaceable settle
ment of disputes" said Mr.. Jewell,
these fundamental principles are an
absolutely necessary preliminary.
Expect Support
I'VE have no doubt that the rail-
road labor board will sanction these
! fundamentals. We know the public
will support them when it really
knows the truth.
"Our reason for summarizing these
fundamentals at this time is to dem
onstrate how easy it would have been,
had the railroads been sincere. to
meet with those who have been Sc
lected and instructed by the rank and
file of railroad employees to adjust the
whole matter of national agreements.
National adjustment boards as
contemplated by the transportation
act could have been established to
hear and decide disputes which had
not been settled after al! possible ef-
forts had been made to adjust them
by conference.
well rounded and smooth running
machinery would new'be in operation
and peace on railroads and good will
between management and employees
ould prevail where now exists grow
ing distrust, dissension. dissatisfac-
ton and increasing mblings of a
fast approaching, costly and vicious
tconflict.
Sought Conference.
I'VE have during the past ten
railroads to amicably and quickly ad-
just the controversy relative to ma
tional agreements and national boards
Of labor adjustment
Thus far this board has made no
formal reply to our urgent suggestion
for such a conference. The associa-
ton of railway executives met In this
city the day after we submitted this
suggestion and served notice that
they did not wish to enter into con-
!; ference with the employees relative to
national agreements.
Even now If the representatives OF
the railroads were sincere in their at
titude and not engaged in a misguid
ed attack upon railroad employees, all
questions Of national agreements and
national adjustment boards could be
quickly, settled"