Paragould soliphone., 1921-08-31
BALLOTS ARE
 SENT OUT 10
 RAILROAD MEN
Big Brotherhoods Begin Voting on Question of WaEkcut-Oppose Reduc- ton in Wages.

Cleveland, Aug. 29.---Strike ballott on tie acceptance or rejection of the recent $400.000, ,000 wgae reduc- ton recently ordered by the Railroad Labor Board were mailed last night to 409. .000 members of the big four brotherhoods and the Switch mems Union Of North America.
 The ballots revealed a difference Of opinion among the chief execu- tives of the five organizations, the Brotherhood Of Locomotive Bremen and Enginemen, Order of Railway Conductors and the Switchmen using a joint ballot while the Brother hood of Railway Trainmen sent out a separate ballot.
 The trainmen's ballot said it had been the intention of all the organi cations to use joint ballot but that this was impossible because the ballot adopted by the other or ganizations did not in our opinion contain an impartial and unbiased recital of all that is involved, nor did it convey the assurance that the wishes of the men, if against work ing for reduced wages would de- termine the question and that they would be permitted to leave the serv- ice
 The joint ballot said if the mem bership votes to reject the wage re- ductions which became effective July l. 1921. "it is to be understood that the men will be permitted to with draw from the service of their re- spectiye companies unless sa1isfac- tory settlement can be reached under the law of the organizations"
 The proposition which confronts our members and others" said the trainmen ballot. carries with it an attempt to reverse that decision of the United States Railroad Labor Board on the wage reduction now in effect since July l or else persuade or compel the railroad companies 10 re-institute wage rates that the labor board decided should be re duced.
 Many general chairmen at the Chicago meeting on July | favored an immediate vote of the members on the Wage cut and held that if Inc necessary majority of the mem bershiD voted to leave the service, that strike should he called forth within an effort 10 force d restora-
 ton of rates that were in effect on June 3Q. 1921.
 "AI members and others are here bv notified that if the membership vote is in lawful necessary majority to leaYe tine service rather than con tinue under the reduced wages now
 in effect. they will on any or all lines where such vote is secured fWith the sanction of the General Grievance Committed be given noe essarv authority by the president of the Grand Lodge The president of tAe Grand Lodge will not (With the information given abovc) undertake to prevent he wishes of Inc men as expressed in their ballot from being adhered to."
 The nunIbef Of active members of the five organizations 10 whom bal lots were mailed was estimated at 15G, ,000 1rainmen. Il5.000 fircmen 0.G0G engineers. 30 Q00 conductors and 14.000 switchmen. In addition the wage reduction previously has been voted upon by the six shop crafts under the Railway Employees Department of the American Fedora tiGu of Labor. Although this vote was taken some time ago. the re- suit has not been publicly announced, but has been understood to be large ly against the acceptance of the wage reductions.
 Both strike ballots issued yester- day reeounted the negotiations lead ing mp to the wage increases esti- matea as totlng $G00.e00,00o granted by the Railroad Labor Board July 20. 1920. After hearings which extended over several months the labor board granted reduction in wages of approximately 12 1-2 per cent and estimated at $A0o,O00,00o a year This was followed by a meetiug of the general chdirmen or the railway unions in Chicago in July at which il was decided 70 sub init the reduction to the men for ac- ceutante or rejection.