New-York tribune., 1921-10-24
grotI1erlloOds
Uphold Strike;
Blame Roads
Statement Given Out After
Conference Takes Posi-
ton Men We're Driven
10 Act 10 Defend Rights
Hope of Peace Expressed
Rate Reduction Is Declared
To Be a Trick to Win
sympathy of the Public
,..,,o, p.patca 10 The Trssuas

CLEVELAND, Oct. Responsible
,.v for the railroad strike, if negoti-
..;ons during the next FIVE days fail
;. avert it, will be laid by transporta-
,;on unions at the doors Of the rail-
,oads and Of the United States Rail-
,nad Labor Board. which they charge
q ;mpotsnt when it comes to enforc-
inc decisions against the employers.
This attitude was assumed when four
~ the "Big Five" transportation union
sssds. after a conference in the Office
4 william G. Lee, president of the
brotherhood of Railroad Tralnmen, to-
dsv issued statement which reiterates
stsjr hope that solution acceptable
% the men may yet be found.
To-dsy's statement may be regarded
As tantamount TO definite pronounce
ment OF the stand the leaders of the
men will take when they appear with
executives Of the railroads affected by
sae wslk-out orders, due to commence
next Sunday, before the Railroad Labor
BOARD in Chicago OIL Wednesday, The
statement reads;
AWith regard to the position of the
employees OF the railroads at this time
We can only say that their representa-
t;Yes are patiently awaiting for any
development that would appear to offer
solution of the situation that con-
fronts us-
ave are not now, nor have we ever
bean, desirous of being party to pre-
eipitating a strike, but when it is quite
apparent that the railroads propose
net only to reduce wages, but to take
from those employees practically all
the conditions of service that have been
obtained for many years, and the Rail-
road Board is unable. or fails to give
"a any assurance that the interests of
the employees will be protected from
such onslaughts by the interests that
control the transportation lines of our
country, nothing is left for the en-
ployees but to stand on their constitu-
tional rights to retire from the servica
Of these carriers.
"We are advised through the news
papers that the Interstate Commerce
Commission has authorized a consider
able reduction in freight rates. Not
outstanding the fact that the WAGES
Of the railroad employees have been
reduced - per cent since July there
vas no talk about a reduction of
freight rates until this crisis arose.
Now the railroads are attempting "a
gain the sympathy of the public In this
crisis by this late reduction of rates.
The public never would have re-
seived this reduction with the consent
cfthe railroads had the roads not been
confronted with this emergency"
The statement was issued under the
name of Warren 8. Stone, grand chief
Of the Brotherhood of LOGON motive En-
gneers. Others besides Mr.. Lee and
mr.. Stone present at the conference
we're |. E. Sheppard, president of the
Order Of Railway Conductors, and w.
D. carter, president of the Brotherhood
Of locomotive Firemen and Enginemen.
Break in Ranks Denied
President Sheppard challenged the
rght OF any one to construe the de-
asion Of the shop crafts not to walk
OUT until the Railroad Labor Board
mad rendered its decision as ga break
n the ranks of the railroad en-
rloyees."
DO not construe it as a break.
out rather as an announcement that
sney are reserving to themselves the
i,gnt to take action in the matter in
sneir own way. They probably are
pursuing their own tactics and it does
not not mean that the shop crafts have
o.foken with the train service men,"
hr Sheppard said.
1t was also made known in Cleveland
.a-aay that all the general chairmen
u the five railroad transportation or
CARNATIONS had been cited to appear
os oelore the Railroad Labor Board in
tnleago on Wednesday,.
lhs is in addition to the presidents
ana ana the members Of the executive com
nlttees and advisory boards of the
saI,ons, and it means that the unions
W VII nave something like TOO of their
,smciais on hand when the pubic hear
'ags OF the dispute commence. Adding
representatives. Of more than 200 rail
.oaas summoned to the hearings it is
antlcipated that more than 1000 Of