The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-07-22

Recognized Railroad Labor Organ
izations on July reached "an un-
derstanding whereby concerted action
could be had on the question which
is common to all employees"
This announcement is made in an
official circular issued from the
headquarters of the Railway EN-
ployes' Department of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor and signed
by President B. M. Jewell, Secre-
tary-Treasurer John Scott, and the
six executives of the shop crafts
organizations.
The basis of the understanding is
resolution adopted by the chief
executives and the general chairmen
of the five transportation organiza-
tions. This resolution is made a
part of the circular letter issued
by the shop crafts.
Will VOt on Wage Reduction
In their resolution the represen-
tatives of the transportation organ
izations declare that they can not
assume the responsibility of accept
ing the wage reductions ordered by
the u. S. Railroad Labor Board and
that not later than September /
1921, the entire subject matter will
be referred to the membership for
acceptance or rejection.
In the meantime committee
representing the organizations will
meet with the representatives of the
railroads and "clearly place them on
record as to whether or not they
will request further decreases in
rates or compensation, the aboli-
ton of schedule rules or regu
lations or the elimination of time
and one-half time"
ShOp Crafts Have Rejected
The shop crafts have already taken
vote on the wage reduction and,
according to the official announce
ment stated above, "a constitutional
majority voted for a rejection"
The members of all the organiza-
tions who have not already voted
on the wage issue will have an op'
portunity to confer with the rail-
road managers, such additional steps
will be taken as may be deemed
necessary.
On another page will be found a
statement prepared by Grand Presi-
dent E. H. FitzGerald of the Rail-
way Clerks, setting forth the posi-
tion of that organization.
In order that the readers of La
Dor" may clearly understand the sit
uation, we are printing in full the
resolution formulated by the trans
portation organizations and adopt
ed in principle by the other organ
izations, and also the explanatory
letter issued by the Railway En-
ployes' Department.
Transportation Mems Statement
The resolution as formulated by
the five transportation organizations
follows:
"Whereas the General Chairmen
representing the Brotherhood of Lo-
comotive Engineers, Brotherhood of
Locomotife Firemen and Enginemen,
Order of Railway Conductors. Broth
erhood of Railroad Trainmen. and the
Switchmen's Union of North Amer
lea, on American railroads where
wage reductions have been author
lied by the United States Railroad
Labor Board, have assembled to take
action thereon; and
"Whereas they are required not
only to consider a wage reduction
but they are compelled to adhere
to the letter and spirit of the con-
tract which they signed when the
roads were taken over.
say approximately" advisedly
because since the railroads have de-
veloped the formula of inefficiency'
they have refused to complete the
work of filing their claims for un-
der maintenance.
1t is evident that they are hold,
ing back, in the hope that they can
induce the administration to recog-
nize in principle the formula of in
efficiency" The moment this is ac-
complsihed they will come in with
their claims.
Samples of Roads Claims
Some idea of the nature of these
claims may be gathered from the
fact that the Santa Fe has put in
claims for under maintenance av-
eraging as high as 130 per cent
If labor on the Santa Fe was 13C
per cent inefficient. it must have
been 80 per cent worse than use
less. In other words, if the Santa
Fe shops had not been operated al
all the government would be aheac
of the game.
The Great Northern puts in 6
claim for material aggregatine
large sums, and then demands 6
labor cost of $3.50 for applying ev'
cry dollars worth of materials.
A prominent government official
in discussing the matter the Other
day. said:
"When the railroads were taker
over they had broken down to such
an extent that they could not trans
port to the seacoast the materia
needed by our allies.
"Now the managers say that fol
26 months of Federal control the
roads were under maintained, II
some eases to the extent of 13'
per cent.
"And yet at the end of the q
months of alleged maladministratior
the roads were returned to theil
owners. and, according to the sworr
testimony presented by the railroad
managers to Senator Cummins
committee, the roads proceeded to
handle more traffic than at any 9th
err period in their history.
"Perhaps the railroad managers
can explain this paradox, but if so
they have not taken the public oi
the administration into their con
fidence up to date.
Roads Demand Damned Steal
81 have gone over their state
ments in some detail, and / regart
their claims as damned steal
That is strong language, but only
strong language can properly de
......lo Al, Lind of q hrazn raid OF