The Washington times., 1921-08-12
GENERAL STRIKE
ON RAILROADS
SEEN BY UNIONS
Wa!kosat Will Depend on Action
of Brotherhoods-Both
Sides Prepare.
BY MILDRED NORRIS.
international News Service.

The calling Of a general strike now
depends on the action of the big
four" brotherhoods.
Forecasts of nationwide tieup OF
transportation in September grew
stronger in official labor circles here
today as a result of the rejection
OF the demands of the "big four"
by the Eastern railroad executives.
The final SHOW down has come,
according To union leaders.
The majority of the railroad work
ers In the American Federation of
Labor have indicated their desire TO
strike. Chiefs of the big four" IL
Is understood. have agreed to put
the answer of the railroad executives
up to their membership to accept
or reject. with concerted strike ac-
ton with the other railroad unions
as the alternative.
strike tying up the Pennsyl-
vania now seems assured in event
the company at the end of fifteen
days of grace granted by the Rail
road Labor Board refuses to call a
new election of representatives OF
the workers along lines laid down
by the board. According to infor.
nation today, all preparations have
been made to call a strike and the
big four" brotherhoods have signi-
fled their intention to join the shop
crafts and other American Fedora
ton of Labor unions In a general
walkout.
Circular letters have been sent
to all members of the Brotherhood
of Clerks employed by the road de-
claring everything in readiness for
a strike and denouncing the Penn.
sylvania officials in sensational
terms They are signed by Wade
Shurtleff, general representative of
the organization In the southern
district.
The Pennsylvania is preparing for
war" they warn.
Prepared for Battle.
DO not let them brighten you. The
Pennsylvania is licked before IT starts.
All the thugs II can hire, all the kids
II can get from the colleges, all the
scabs II can find among our workers,
all the armored cars IL can build VIII
fail 1t.
I'VE are prepared as far as organ
izations and members are concerned.
We have the majority, and of the
minority outside our ranks, but few
will scab. They love their country
better than Wall Street pirates.
at is reported that this crew OF rail-
road pirates are fixing UP armored
cars at their Altoon shops to enforce
their position against our Govern
ment, decent American wages and
conditions. Nothing better could be
done to rouse the fighting blood in our
rank and file and the American
spirit"
A general railroad strike will tie up
the American Railroad Express Com
pany as well as every railroad wheel,
It was learned today. Strike ballots
were issued yesterday to the 10000
members Of the employees OF the COM
pany affiliated with the Brotherhood
OF Clerks. The union men object to
the six cents an hour wage reduction
ordered by the Railroad Labor Board.
All the other organizations of the
Brotherhood of Clerks which has 20O,-
900 members are taking a strike vote
along with the other railroad unions
In the American Federation of Labor.
Representatives OF the big Four
brotherhoods here say a conference of
executives of the sixteen standard
railroad labor organizations will be
held In Chicago before the brother
hoods take action on general strike
Brotherhoods Act Noxt Week.
CLEVELAND, Ohio. Aug. 1.-THE
big -Four" railroad brotherhoods will
not determine their course OF ac-
ton upon the refusal of tho execu.
tives of Eastern railroads TO grant
their demands before next week.
Warren s. Stone, grand chief of the
Brotherhood OF Locomotive Engi-
neers and spokesman for the organi-
zation, declared today.
l.. r. Sheppard. head Of the Order
OF Railway Conductors, is in Cedar
Rapids. Iowa, and q course OF ac-
ton will not be mapped out before
his return, IL was said.