The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-22
.SHOPMEN WON'T
join bic four"
IN R. R. STRIKE
"StrictIy Brotherhood Affair" "
Decides Executive of Union.
Telegraphers Will Join Broth
erhOOds in Strike.
MILLION and HALF TO STAY
The Federation Unions Declare
BrOtherhOOds Are BIufing.
Others Now Favor Deferring
Action Until Spring.

| Ch1caBO, oct ZZ.-AcunS on ln1Or-
/ nation which they declare give them
ground for belief thatthe strike order
/ by the "big 70 brotherhoods on Oc-
tober 80 will be called off, officialssof
the railroad unions in the American
Federation Of Labor announced today
that the 100000 railroad workers
whom they represent will defer strike
action at this time.
| They charged that the brother
hoods action has been a bluff from
the first and that the other unions re-
fuse to play their game"
/ Two-Thlrds Workers Stay On.
In event the October 80 walkout ma
terializes, they declared the railroad
I unions, representing more than two
thirds of the railroad workers, will
not follow the brotherhoods unless
they have an ironclad agreement of
| joint action which will include that
no one group will make separate set
tIement until the demands of all are
I satisfied.
Altho the United Brotherhood of
Maintenance of Way Employees al
ready have declared for a strike, F.
F. Cradle, president OF the organiza-
ton, announced today it will act in
concert with the other unions
The Order of Railway Telegraphers
has decided to join the brotherhoods
and quit work if the strike becomes
effective.
Severe BLOW for Brotherhoods.
Six hundred thousand men are af-
fected by the shop crafts decision. The
six unions involved are the Brother
n Rai of
the International Brotherhood of EIec-
trical Workers. the International Asso-
citation of Machinists, the Information
al Brotherhood of Blacksmiths, Drop
Forgers and Helpers. the Amalga-
mated Sheet Metal Workers Interna-
tional Alliance, the International
Brotherhood of Boilermakers. Iron
Shipbuilders and Helpers of America
BY their decision they dealt the
most serious blow yet recorded against
switchmen's union, which have or
dsred a walkout October 80. The
shop crafts, known as the railway
employees department, American Fed
Grafton of Labor, are said to control
more railroad workers than any indi-
vidual union. Their action also is
declared to bind the American Fed
Grafton of Labor against any active
support of a railroad walkout.
The statement issued by P NJ.
eWeH, president of the shop crafts,
said the six unions would await thu
decision of the railroad board in the
pending rules and working conditions
7 case and then reconvene the general
officers and decide on future action.
Executives of the railway employees
department of the American Fedora
ton of Labor, which includes the
shopmen, re tched this decision after
week of discussion.
y meeting of the general chairmen
is scheduled for 2 o'clock this after
noon and it is expected B. NJ. Jewell,
president of the department., will an
nounce his organization will not strike
at this time and will issue a public
statement.
'Stricdy brotherhood Affair"
The decision of the shopmen to re-
train from striking, makes the strike,
If one is called, strictly brotherhood
affair" Altho the maintenance of
J way employees and one or two other
unions have vOtedain favor of a strike
! it is considered certain they will defer
acton In view of the position taken by
/ the shopmen.
/ Board Decision Helped.
! While no officials of the department
would be quoted in advance of official
announcement by President Jewell, it
was learned that the absence of any
agreement with the brotherhoods on
the conduct of the strike was the fac
tor chiefly responsible for the reported
action of the shopmen. 1t was also
said that protests have come from
! many members of the shopmen's
unions against joining in the strike
The decision of the railway labor
board to cite the brotherhoods and the
railroads for a hearing on the uues-
! ton involved also is said to have had
a deterring influence upon the shop
men.
Peace Hopes Brighter.
] Hopes for a peaceful settlement of
the national transportation crisis were
I brighter today with the agreement of
rail executives and brotherhood strike
leaders to respond to the summons of
the labor board for an open confer
ence here next Wednesday on the
( wage and working rules dispute.
! tContinued on page Three.l
YanLz Withdrawal To Pc SIONr