The New York herald., 1921-10-22
EFFECTIVE ON NOV. 1
Pennsylvania Road Employ
ees Will Be Last Ones
Here to Walk Out.
REVOCATION rs PROVIDED
Code Word Which May Bring
Peace Is Supplied to Lo-
cal Leaders.

BY midnight tonight, union leaders
said yesterday. orders to quit their
jobs will have been distributed to
practically all of the 10000 engineers,
conductors, firemen. switchmen and
trainmen of the Big -Four brother
hoods and the Switchmen's Union Of
North America In the metropolitan
district, which means within a radius
Of twenty-five miles from City HALL
The orders call for walkout on the
various roads touching New York. be-
ginning with one group on November
l and ending with the Pennsylvania.
the employees Of which are ordered
out on November 5.
A ray of hope was seen in a state
ment Of union official which indi.
Gated that while the brotherhoods had
made plans to call the men out they
also had paved the way for a sudden
calling or Of the impending strike.
1t was that each general chairman
carried in his pocket a sealed envelope
containing a code word, which. II
flashed by telegraph from union head
quarters in Cleveland. is to be his au-
thority for. calling Off the strike in
his district. It was said yesterday
that this was the first time such ex-
tensive precautions for a sudden re-
vcrsai of strike order had been made
by union chiefs.
A union officer, who would not permit
the use Of his name. summed the situa-
ton up by saying that the grand chiefs
Of the brotherhoods would be glad to call
on the strike IL they could find an ade-
quate excuse. He added that they must
have this excuse to save their own faces
but so far had been unable to find It
This officer admitted that by the time
the strike order becomes effective the
railway executives in all probability
would be in better shape than at any
other time to cope with the situation
They have allowed the impression to
circulate among the unions that II a
Just as well come now as later.
Companies Also Prepare.
The walkout orders which were beins
distributed yesterday at the end Of runs
apply to approximately 3,250 members OF
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi-
neers, the same number of conductors,
firemen and enginemen, 5000 trainmeu
and 5000 members of the Switchmen's
Union. The orders in all cases carry the
official seal Of the grand lodge of the
brotherhood and the signature of the
general chairman.
With these developments going on on
the one hand, railroad executives, on the
other. increased their efforts to prepare
for an emergency. Practically all the
Yesterday taking a poll of their en-
ployees in order to estimate the number
that might be expected to remain loyal
in the event of a general strike. In
addition they continued their advertising
campaign for new employees to NJ
vacancies after November 1. The Long
Island Railroad published notices to the
effect that professional strike breakers
were not wanted. and added that the
company would guarantee new employees
against discrimination as to the per-
manence Of their employment.
A hint OF the attitude of the Adminis-
tration In Washington in the event oil
the strike order going into effect was
seen in a letter from John J. Esch OF
the Interstate Commerce Commission
made public yesterday by the Merchants
Association. Mr.. Esch, who was for-
mcrly a member of the House of Repre-
sentatives from Wisconsin. said:
"As one of the authors OF the trans
portation act Of 1920 ! naturally feel
deep interest In the pending railroad
labor situation. Congress created the
labor board as disinterested body to
adjust the difficulties between railroad
employees and the carriers. The find
ngs OF the board should be obeyed by
both parties. understand that 1t Is the
purpose OF the Administration TO see
that this be DONE"
College Men Oner Services.
Organizations OF college students con.
tinued yesterday to offer their services
to the railroads. Some OF them took
particular pains to remind the railroad
executives that a strike at this time
would play hob with football schedules
and for that reason, II no other, they
were trying to do their bit to keep the
wheels turning.
The State Department Of Farms and
Markets reported very little evidence to
date OF increased buying IN anticipation
of a strike. telegraph inquiries fof
pota toes in carload lots were reported
numerous. however. but while the prod
uce markets showed a slight improve
ment prices TO date have not advanced 70
any notable extent
The only comment forthcoming yes
to-day from the headquarters OF the
National Association OF Railway Execu-
tives was that the members OF tHs or
ganization would hasten to respond "a
an invitation TO Washington to confer
with President Harding or any other
Government authority.
The Lighter Captains Union, which
has $500 members and IL affiiated with
the International Longshoremen's Asso.
citation, at a meeting In Brooklyn decided
not 10 join hands WITH the railroad
brotherhoods. This action was In spite
Of the fact that their wages recently
have been cut and their working hours
extended The meeting was secre.
one. and no statement was given out for
publication but one man who addressed
the meeting said.
1T would be anarchy for the railroad
men 20 quit now when the general con-
dtlons Of the country are worse than