The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1921-09-28
RAILROAD WORKERS in
favor OF STRIKE
From Opening of First Envelope as
Ballots Were Received by Mail
Indication That Strike Vote
Would Prevail Was Overwhelm-
ing, Say Men at Headquarters.

Chicago, Sept 26 By the Associated
Press. .)-Leaders of the big four
broUhcrhoods affiliated unions tonight
declared they had little doubt that the
railway employees had voted for a
general strike rather than accept a
wage reduction, but announced that
the conservative counsel of the lead
ers might prevail against a walk
out.
From the opening Of the first en-
velope, it was said, it was clear that
there would be majority for a
strike. Giving an estimated major
ity, Vice President Murdoch of the
engineers said:
"Our past experience has been that
SO per cent. of the men always vote
to strike"
Next Monday officials fthe Broth
crhood Of Locomotive Engineers, Or
der Of Railway Conductors, Brother
hood of Locomotive Fircmen and En-
ginemcn and Switchmen's Union of
North America will meet here to
count the strike votes of their 259,-
600 members.
Railroad union leaders here expect
all the brotherhoods and the Switch
mems union to cast substantial ma
jorities for strike. The affiliated
shop crafts have already voted, by
majority of approximately $4,000
to $4,000 to walk out and are only
waiting to see what action the other
unions will take ard for the United
States railroad labor board to dis
pose of the pending working rules
agreements.
Reports of the general chairmen of
the trainmcnt when they assembled
n1o init ff,
the union leaders. The trainmen had
voted on separate ballot because
their leaders did not approve of the
joint ballot prepared by the other
union. On September IL President
w. G. Lee addressed circular let
ter to the men in which he pointed
out five reasons why he thought a
strike would be unwisc at this time
and why the men might expect to
accept some wage reduction.
He asked the men to consider the
fact that wages and working condi-
tions of all classes established since
1918 were the result of world war;
that 100000 men are now unemploy-
ed; that nearly ell classes of labor
have been forced by mediation, arbi-
tration. strikes or lockouts to accept
reduced rates of pay during the past
year; that the increased wages grant
ed railroad men last year were
based on increased cost OF living and
that government reports indicate a
16 per cent. cut in living costs since
July l, 1920.
The letter, however, apparently has
failed to influence the voting, the
general chairman reported today
The strike vote, however, union
officials pointed out, does not neces-
sarily mean the immediate calling of
strike. The question as submitted
to the men carries vote for or
against "a strike unless the wage
reduction question can be settled ir
manner satisfactory to the general
grievance committee representing
the class Of service in which ! am
engaged"
The grievance committee probably
will meet here as soon as the vote is
canvassed, it was said, and either
take steps to reopen negotiations
with the roads or set a date for the
walkout. Mr.. Lee in his letter, de-
clared he would take no hand in the
question but permit the committee
to reach its own conclusions.
The general chairman on any rail
road system where the men vote to
strike will be given authority to call
sent his followers, Mr.. Lee continued