The New York herald., 1921-10-18
DISSENSION KNOWN
IN RAILWAY UNIONS
Question if 100000 More
Men Joining in General
Strike Is Undecided.
STRONG FIGHT EXPECTED
Leaders of a Few Organiza-
tons Will Try to Block
WalkOut.
By the Associated Press.

CHICAGO. Oct. Whether the Big
Four brotherhoods and the switch
mems union will be joined by more
than 100000 members of eleven other
railroad unions in the proposed gen.
eral rail strike tonight remained an
undecided question with indications
that the decision, expected at meet
ings to be held here this week, would
come only after a vigorous fight in
which leaders of at least a few of the
organizations will make determined
effort to block a strike call.
Official calls for meeting here
Wednesday of the shop crafts cxecu-
tive council and the maintenance OF
way divisions were issued to-day, bui
it is not considered likely that tho
strike attitude of the organizations
will be known that day, according tc
b, NJ. Jewell, president OF the railway
employees department, American Fed
Grafton Of Labor. which comprises the
100000 men in the shop crafts.
this council. il it decided the situation
warrants II, will call In the conference
committee OF the railway employees de-
partment. made UP of 100 cbairinen or
the department eight unions. This
committee has the authority to order a
walkout or If it is uncertain as 10 the
advisab billty of one TO call In the 200
general chairmen for vote on The uues-
tion.
Mr.. Jewell expressed tine hope that a
strike would be averted and admitted
that there was dissension. Z. n. Fitz-
gerald. president of the CLERKS orsaniza-
tion. and Mr.. Jewell have had dis
agreements over the strike IL became
known.
Mr.. Jewell tonight repeated his asser-
tion. however. that he doubted IL he
could hold back the men under him, as
they seemed determined to strike. Mr..
Fitzgerald could control the clerks, II
was said, but other organizations might
not prove easy to handle after the over
whelming vote in favor of strike.
The executive council, which meets
here Wednesday. is composed of:
William Johnston. international As
ISOLATION Of Machnists.
J. A. Franklin. International Brother
nOOu OF DOlleTIldheTS, iron SnlpOuiIuers
and Helpers OF America
J. w. Kline. International brotherhood
of Blacksmiths, Drop Forgers and
Helpers.
j. J. Hines. Sheet Metalworkers In
ternationai Alliance.
J. +. Noonan. international Brother
hood Of Electrical Workers.
Martin Ryan. brotherhood Of Railway
Carmen of America.
t. II. Fitzgerald, Brotherhood Rail-
way Clerks. Freight Handlers. Express
and Station Employees.
T. G. Cashen, Switchmcn's Union OF
North America.
Mr.. Cashen Is not expected to attend
the meeting. as his orga MIA ton already
has cast its lot with the Brotherhood.
The officers OF the Maintenance ~
Way Employees will be able TO control
their men in whatever decision Is
reached. Vice President J. G. Smock OF
Indianapolis said tonight.
G.. II. plsnten OF Boston, grand vice.
president. stated the Maintenance OF
Way men held the key 10 the entire sit
uation. and that this union acting alone.
or cooperating with others Of the rail-
road group, would be able effectively "a
tie UP the country's transportation sys-
tenn.
This Is no time to predict what our
1nal action may be-" Mr.. Plantcn said.