The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1921-03-29
[IT|ON-W|DE RAIL
| STRIKE IS LOOMING
acH BETWEEN ROAD S
EMPLOYEES WIDENS AS
Is ARE ANNOUNCED.
SIDES STANDING FIRM

.,.;onal Inquiry May be Maue
Controversy to Prevent Threat
, walkouts. Carriers Fight for
Preservation,
United States is very near the
l. one OF the greatest industrial
Is tbe country has ever known
|.snIt OF the dispute between the
H. and their great army OF en-
The controversy is nearing a
with both sides standing firm,
:. determined not to yield any
% = prosperity, while the
"S characterization is directing
f. 1 tbe outstanding feature in the
S'orsy is the effort of the rail
lvecItives to pay lower wages,
f. as they declare, TO save the
'from bankruptcy and as the first
70 reduce the present record
r4es. the actual fight is off
IT, Of private or federal owner
fTbe railroad executives assert
h. brotberhoods are forcing the
III biqh wages in an effort to
Aot the roads and to have the
Sment assume control, thereby
i the Plumb plan, once rejected
$elv by the country, a reality.
keeping Inquiry Demanded.
aoyer the United States the rail-
&baye announced cuts in wages
IN the result, members OF con-
q departmental officials and rail-
Executives are looking forward
treat struggle with labor. While
Sntroversy may be peaceful these
\ are fearful that the chances
sporadic walkouts, with the
|specter OF nationwide rail strike
In the background. Labor has
heed that it will resist the wage
In. Whether their threat will be
out leaders assert, depends
#uture developments.
d situation is considered so seri-
II the national capital that con-
'Nill be called upon, Immediately
i contenes in special session next
to make a sweeping investi-
NJ Of the railroad situation and
'beration OF the carriers since they
burned back to their owners by
svernment. Senator Albert Cum
Epi Iowa, considered the greatest
#ity in the senate on the railroad
|bn and joint author OF the Esch-
Nins bill, has taken up the situa-
Nth President Harding. He has
Mced that he would offer a reso-
\ for such an inquiry, which will
81 thorough study of the ques-
n management, rates and wages.
Nll Abide by Boards Edict.
fe is little danger of any cessa-
n work, should the railroads put
Rge reductions into force, some
eaders believe, while others de-
pat a walkout would be the only
alternative. Union officials will
II TO the railroad labor board at
T. and abide by its decision.
~ railroad officials who have an
that l22 railroads in the coun-
Reratng 100000 miles of lines,
~ a deficit OF $l,000,000 during
n, have perfected their plans for
Nnmg struggle. The first step has
faken IN the nationwide an
'*ment OF general wage reduc-
his general move for cutting
ne wages is now in full swing.
s4On labor, was the first to feel
&W OF reduced pay. Gradually,
feIy, the wage-reduction policy
fa1dlng and even some of the
PHIClaIS on several roads have
III positions reduced, naturally
g IN lower salaries.
:. next step will be a conference
le rank and file of railroaders.
"a event OF disagreement-and
rcIoh Is inevitable, it is said,
ny the present attitude of la
tlSTthe struggle will be taken
T. IN this case the railroad la
u IS the court. If the court
inc railroads the possibility
fdi;loh-Wlde strike will be con-
# .iLa'orabJy by labor. At least
,ue viewpoint OF officials in
81 N'llroads Without Money.
board hands down a decision
present wages are fair and
abroad executives plan to Sc
Injunction and then another
8"" out controversy would fol-
G "a. executives assert that the
Am, win property valuation at
s wv are financially embarrass-
IT, ~ase OF inflated wages and the
u operating expenses and
i.. u verdict favorable to labor
d a a IN, lile executives declare,
f., Jest OF the law with result
sr e' VI general receivership.
sp SV yearly 81 wages of railroad
n II, me United States increas-
1g Pc 81 cent from 1915 to 1920,
81 ~ III ngurcs compiled by the
~ ANYWAY economies. In 1915
.nd OF employees averaged
' ,, me average wage of all
n,, WAS $3.50. Last year the
Il. and iio G Of employees was l.
In - ''i &c, average yearly wage
Vii ig15 % ~, $I9l ], The total wages
II H. }bo was Sl,190,223,755. willie
Or ,'' La'lToads paid out $685.
ley M, more than three times
p'io out in wages FIVE wears
+. 5 rcIGad executives declare that
ng tbe 10 operate without loss
If 'lgse wages. Business has
Iion 5n Nue both to the industrial
say 't t5. Inc high rates the com
and ulsy must charge for
passenger service.
0S SS 81 BURNED 1924, 900