The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-10-19
ONLY MIRACLE
CAN PREVENT
BIG STRIKE
Union Leaders Going
Ahead With Details
Of N ation-w d e
Strike-No Talk Of
Compromise
Chicago, Oct. 15.-(By the Asso-

were To-Day OIoSIeo ~ 1l!1lA<1tC q
strike October 80, while other
unigns, whose membership bring
the total to about 100000, an
nounced unofficially that they were
tonight preparing to follow suit
and make the walk out general
on the same dates.
Under this program the tie up
would be complete, according to
union predictions, by November Q.
The first strike W. fixed for a.
m. October 80, ex, -pt one Texas
line, whose trainmen were author
lied to go out October %.
The railroads listed in the first
group on which the strike is to be-
come effective touch AZ Of the 4S
states with trackage of $4,000
miles out Of the total United States
trackage of approximately 100000.
The New England states COM
prise the group that is virtually
untouched in the first walk out.
The strike orders were issued to
the big five brotherhoods, Oldest
and most powerful of the railway
unions, and they specifically in
Guided mail trains in the walk out.
Their provisions instructed strik-
ers to keep away from railroad
property with a warning that "vio-
1ence of any nature will not be toll
Grated by the organizations"
The strike was announced fol-
lowing an overwhelming vote said
to be upwards of 80 per cent. ia
yoring a strike because Of II per
cent. wage reduction authorized by
the United States railroad labor
board July /, and after it was de-
clared by dhe ASSOCIATION Of rail-
way executives in session here yes
terday that further reduction
would be sought by the railroads.
It was said that the strike decision
was made before the announce
ment Of this further intended cut.
Printed instructions for the con-
duct of the strike issued in Chicago
We're dated yesterday, October Il.
..I fear it will be one Of the most
serious strikes ir American trans
portation history" said W. G.
Lee, president of the railroad
trainmen, who during recent weeks
has sent circulars to his men warn
ing them of the critical nature of
the steps they contemplated.
The country was divided into
four groups, in which the men
were proposed to walk out pro-
gressively, one group every "a
hours. The names Of the groups
were not made public, but unofi-
cially the identity Of roads in the
first group to go was learned, sub
ject to changes, which, union Of
ficials said, would be few. The
first group included some Of the
country's greatest rail systems.
from coast TO coast and from Can
ada to the Gulf. These We're:
Chicago & Northwestern, Tex
as & Pacific, Kansas City South
ern, Pennsylvania, Missouri Paci-
fic, International &; Great North
ern, Southern Pacific (Atlantic
and Pacific lines), Southern ,aii-
way, Louisville &; Nashville. st.
Louis Southwestern Gf Texas
lines included, not stately, Chi
cago, Milwaukee & st. Paul tlines
east and wesD, Northern Pacific,
Chicago, Rock Island & Paci,ic.
Seaboard Air Line, Erie, Chicago
Great Western and Virginian cail-
way
The unions issuing the strike call
today were: Brotherhood of Rail-
road Trainmen, Brotherhood Of
Locomotive Firemen and Engine
men, Order of Railway Conductors.
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi-
neers, Switchmen's Union of North
America.
The II other organizations,
whose chiefs have been in session
here, said unoffcially that they
would join the strike are:
Sheet Metal Workers International
alliance, International Association
Of Machinists, Brotherhood Of
Railway and Steamship Clerks,
Freight Handlers. Express and
Station Employees, Brotherhood Of
Stationary Firemen and Oilers,
Brotherhood OF Railway Signal
men OF America, United Brother
hood of Maintenance Of Way En-
ployees and Railroad Shop Labor
ers, Order of Railroad Telegraph
ers, Brotherhood of Railway Car
men Of America, International
Brotherhood Of Electrical Work
ers. Internatioal Brotherhood Of
Boilermakers, Iron Shipbuilders ard
Helpers of America, International
Brotherhood Of Blacksmiths, Drop
Forgers and Helpers.
Five hundred general chairmen
o fthe big four brctherhoods and
the Switchmen'S Union Of Amer
ica We're on their way home to-
night from a weeks conference in
Chicago with the signed authoriza-
tions for strike in their pockets.
No further orders viii be neces-
sary, the brotherhood chiefs said,
to call out railroad workers on ev-
cry big line in the country. Grand
officers Of the brotherhoods left for
Cleveland tonight.
Printed instructions were hand
ed every signal chairman to govern
the mems conduct. These author
lied progressive walkout, the
first at s a. m. October 80, TO be
followed by the other three secret
groups each 2l hours October 81
and November l and 9. Every