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

four" are prepared to settle the strike II
1t is called on the best possible terms
TO themselves and leave the Federation
groups in lurch. A general strike with
this end would mean inter-union war
fare with disaster to organized labor
they declare.
Dlscord has marked relations between
the big four" and the other railroad
unions ever since last July when the
a f. Of L. unions wanted to strike fol-
lowing the 1914 per cent wage slash and
tie big four" refused to act with them.
them.
The action of the "big four" in setting
the strike date and formulating strike
policies without consulting the other
unions has ranked In the minds OF the
A. F. of L. leaders.
The most conservative leaders are now
working to prevent an open breach and
are urging harmonious action, at least
on the surface. to force the issue on
the railroads
1t looks like the Waterloo in the gil
gantic struggle between the unions and
the railroads, and II the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor unions finally decide
to stick with the brotherhoods, there
Will be nothing left to do but to fight
toget her and keep harmony for the sake
OF organized labor" said James Farnum.
vice president Of the United Brother
hood Of Shop LabOrers and Maintenance
Of Way Employees.
However, the brotherhoods are not
going to be permitted to run the strike
Of the A. f. Of L. unions any more
than the A. +. OF L. unions will be per
mItted to run the brotherhood's end of
It. Unless common agreement is eff
fected the A f. Of L. groups will run
their own strike and make their own
settlement
with a united front. the men can win
and this is no time to air troubles in
the unions.
The men In my organization and the
A F. Of L. are 'rarin' to GO and there
Is doubt whether they can be held back
IL the brotherhoods strike"
LEADERS DISAGREE
ON POLICY.
Not all Of the A. F. Of L. leaders are
agreed as TO the ACCESSIBILITY Of the
brotherhoods plan Of four strikes, each
to be called forty-eight hours apart as
announced last Saturday night. Some
insist that all the men be called out on
one day and simultaneously.
The federation groups are anxious to
hit the Pennsylvania system first, as their
chief fight seems TO be against this line
As announced, the Pennsylvania is not in
cluded In the first group to be called out
on oct 80, and may not be reached until
the third or fourth group is called out.
The last Of the strike ballots now being
taken on the Pennsylvania by the Amer
lean Federation Of Labor crafts are re-
turnable about Nov. l. Early ballots in
dlcate sentiment overwhelmingly In favor
Of a strike on the road.
Brotherhood representatives pointed out
that their strike program hits the Penn
syivana about New. 8, or Nov. 5 which
is just about the time the A. +. Of l..
groups had planned their walkout on the
line.
Grand chairmen and vice presidents Of
the United BrOtherhoods Of Maintenance
of Way Employees and the Brotherhood Of
Clerks, the two largest Of the railroad
unions meet here Wednesday for final
action on the strike. The telegraphers
and other unions outside Of the shop
crafts will hold conferences next Friday.
About 300 general chairmen Of the shop
crafts have been summoned to meet next
Saturday. The chief executives Of all the
A. T. Of +. groups plan to meet next
Sunday to hear the final decision Of each
union and to decide on the policy to he
followed by all