Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-10-18
Clearing Away the Hrmsh


is permitted to materialize. it is highly
important that all brush that obstructs q
ciear-visioned view of the situation which
mas prccplIated the present acute phase In
Its progress toward the most serious indus
trial and business menace which has con-
fronted the American people in many years
be cleared away, so that the public as tho
court of last resort may place the blame for
tho crisis where it rightly belongs and thus
with enlightened Judgment determine the
necessary course to pursue to combat il.
The facts, briefly stated, arc: The Rail
road Labor Board, on the basis of reduced
cost of living, upon which the wage advance
OF 1920 was predicated, authorized a reduc
tion OF IL per cent. which, over the protest
OF the railroad employees, went into effect
on July the LIST this year. Some weeks
ago the big five brothcrhoods took a strike
vote, with the result that more than 90 per
cent Of the combined membership voted in
favor of calling Il strike in resistance to
the order OF the board, in which they were
represented by group Of their own selec-
ton constituting onc-third OF its strength.
Relying upon the hope of further ncgo-
tiations with the railroad executives in
which agreement would be reached either
forestalling the wage reduction or securing
moro favorable working conditions the
brotherhoods held in allegiance the issuance
OF an order putting into effect the strike
vote. Last week the executives Of the rail-
roads met in conference and adjourned
without paying any attention to the desire
Of the brotherhoods to confer with their
representatives over the acute situation that
had arisen. But before adjourning the
railroad executives announced they would
within thirty days make further cut of 0
per cent in the wages of their employees and
apply TO the Railroad Labor Board for APP
prevail Of the cut
Angered by the action OF the railroad
executives. the brotherhood heads imme-
diately decided to call general strike and
proceeded to issue orders accordingly. The
broiherhoods as the result of their strike
vote plainly indicates, deliberately resolved
TO reject the wage decision Of the Labor
BOARD which conservative public opinion at
the time regarded as a substantial victory
for the employees, since government statis-
tics indicated an average decline of 90 per
cent in the cost OF living. The railroads
contend for an additional 10 per cent to
meet tho disparity between the authorized
wage reduction and the reduction in the
cost Of living, upon which the original in
crease was based However, in announcing
their decision to seek the Labor Boards
q
willingness to give the public the benefit
of reduced freight rates
In expressing its opinion as to the way
TO overcome the present acute situation
the public group of the Labor Board has
issued statement in which it SAYS that
immediate translation OF he reduction au-
thorized last July in wages of railroad en-
pioyes into reduced freight rates is one
feasible plan by which the present con-
troversy can he settled and strike averted.
III the railroads will Immediately, in good
iaith adopt this suggestion" the statement
says, the situation can be cleared up,
freight rates reduced to shippers. the cost
of living reduced to consumers and Il slim
ulatng effect exerted upon all business"
Under this plan. it is further suggested nv
the public group. the railroads would with
draw their request for further wage reduc-
lions until freight reductions had been com
pleted, and. pending action OF the board on
such petition for further reduction as the
carriers may subsequently submit tho
unions would withdraw The strike order.
This is the naked situation, and in con-
sidering it the public sees no reason why
the strike may not be averted and will de-
mand that pressure be exerted accordingly
''Hi"'ht ilaiuine VIII PROBABLY deliver
The welcoming address at the opening of
the conference on the limitations of arma-
ment While an apostle Of the practical
l. is cxpectcd-infact /, has been so limited
he will start the conference off right by
outlining American Observation-Disclosures
those which he thinks have won the an
prevail of the public opinion of the world.
From the continuous chain of letters be-
ing sent TO the White House by Mrs ella
il. Fried, advising the President ms to what
he ought to undertake to accomplish I'm the
conference on arms limitation. she evil
IDENTITY lost out as an "also ram candidate
for delegate position
headline tells us that admiral Sims
VIII Not Speak at Dinner" Have no official
notice OF the fact hut there is some evil
dencc that Ambassador George Harvey is
also taking his dinners in silence Roth
these WORTHLESS have had their lesson.
Can't get along without war il scoms
The series was hardly over hefor, I,ho