The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-04-04
R..R. EMPLOYEES
D|SCUSS|A!L|ANCES
PRINCIPLE OF CRAFT AMALGA.
NATION AND INDUSTRIAL
AUTONOMY NOT ONLY REC
oGNIZED BUT TO BE HERALD
ED TO WORLD, IF PLAN PRE-
Walls T..

New York, April 3.-Representa- g.
tives Of 175,000 organized railroad
employees in special convention to-
day called upon the executive heads
of the recognized national and inter-
national railroad union to sanction
the formation Of district offensive
and defensive" alliances-railroad
district councils-in the New York
district and at other strategic
points in the railroading industry"
These district organizations are
necessary, it was said in letter ,
sent to the executive union officials
Ito better resist the concentrated
attacks of the railway executive
association" and to "bring. about a
closer affiliation Of all railroad en-
ployees and perfect a 100 per cent.
organization in all crafts by stimu-
lating interest in their own welfare
and educating them in the value Of
solidarity" ~ /
Delegates to the convention who
represented all local railroad unions
in the greater New York district,
uged that "a state Of status quo
should be declared by the American
Federation Of Labor 50 as to clear
the way and make it possible for
what are now commonly known as
the transportation brotherhoods to
affiliate with the American Fedora
ton Of Labor" l.."..-
Through this action, it was stated
the "preambles and resolutions that
gave birth to industrial autonomy
by the formation of the general de-
partments within the federation
would be preserved. ~ 49,.
Pledge to Allegiance ,
More than $50 representatives Of
local unions in the New York dis
trict attended the convention which
was called by district officers Of the
way Of employees. The delegates af-
frmed their confidence in their in
ternational and national officers and
pledged to them "our all in their un-
tiring efforts to secure and main
tain for the railroad employees the
working conditions and the stand
ard of living that they are so justly
entitled to-" f.--
eve further believe that it would
be to the best interest of all con-
cerned," added the communication,
"that the present existing pact be-
tween the 16 recognized railroad
unons be reafirmed and continued
indefinitely and that the principle
of craft amalgamation and industrial
autonomy be not only recognized as
a principle but to be heralded by the
railroad workers as an accomplished
fact:r
ut would be the best interest Of
the railroad organizations" it was
stated "that they be permitted coun-
ellis in order to bring about better
local understanding and so that they
may be better able to carry out the
mandates of the several national
and international unions in line
with the offensive and defensive
program as at present in effect. And
that said railroad district coun-
ellis be allowed to function land be
Officially recognized by the executive
council of the American Federation
of Labor and the executive council
of the railway employee department
the American Federation Of Labor
to issue what may be known as
emergency charters for the present
or until a final disposition is made
of the policy manifested here in the
district of New York and other
strategic points in the railroading
industry throughout the United
States where this matter has been
given serious consideration"
Action Imperative.
Formation of the district councils
was declared to be imperative at
this moment of concentrated oppo-
/Hont;nuad an Pace Eighty