New-York tribune., 1921-03-22
Strike Vote of
$4,000 Rail
Clerks Urged
Eastern Federation Ask s
National Referendum on
Immediate Walk-Out if
Roads Don't Obey Law
Pledges Aid to Walsh
More Workers Reject Wage
Cuts; Marine Men Also
Refuse New Haven's Offer

Pho Eastern Federation of the Broth
erhood of Railway and Steamship
clerks, Freight Handlers. Express, and
Station Employees yesterday sent a
resolution to e. H. Fitzgerald, grand
president of the brotherhood, urging
that referendum strike vote among
the $4,000 members of the national
organization be authorized for imme-
diate use should any Of the railroads
declines to obey the mandates of the
transportation act Of 1920.
The federation, representing $4,000
workers on twenty-five lines in the
East, also pledged "its full economic
force to protect our present standards"
Every effort has been expended by
our organization to prevent sporadic
walk-outs and strikes" reads the res
olution. "Our membership is adhering
70 the provisions of the transportation
act. But we warn railroad officials
that unless the letter and spirit of the
act is carried out by them the arbi-
trary action of. some railroad officials
in reducing wages undoubtedly will be
the spark which will set the entire
transportation system into flame of
chaos and industrial revolution.
Resent Attacks on Unions
'We strongly resent and voice our
opposition to the attacks being made
upon the railroad labor unions for the
purpose of instituting un-American
conditions of starvation wages and
twelve-hour days, abolishing payment
for overtime work and installing the
abominable and nefarious practices
which were current in our craft but a
few years ago, and we pledge our full
economic force to protect our present
standards"
The organization also pledged its
support to Frank P. Walsh, general
counsel for the railroad unions now
appearing before the United States
Railroad Labor Board at Chicago, and
laid the blame for the present wage
of the country on w. w. Atterbury,
vice-president of the Pennsylvania
Railroad.
The federation held its annual con-
vention here on Sunday, when another
resolution was adopted calling upon
the Republican Administration to "im-
mediately negotiate trade agreement
with the duly accredited representa-
tives of the Soviet Republic sof Rus
sia," on the ground that this would be
simple expedient in behalf of the
ployed workers in America"
$ ]. L. Johnson, of Lawrence, Mass,
was reelected chairman of the Eastern
federation; J. F. Burke, of Brooklyn;
H. HI. Ulrich, of Boston, and H. f.
Kaufman, of Philadelphia, vice chair
men, and V. O. Price, of Albany, secre-
tary-treasurer.
Lehigh Wage Cut Plan Rejected
Following the example of the work
ers on the New York Central Railroad
tie laborers of the Lehigh Valley lines
yesterday decided to reject the pro-
posal of the road officials that the
men accept an approximate 25 per
cent reduction in wages. A conference
between the company heads and rep
re entatives of the employees is sched
when it is expected the men are to
make known their stand on the prop
osition. 1t is understood that the
railroad heads will appeal to the Labor
Board at Chicago for authorization to
put the proposed wage cuts into effect.
E. L. Enke, leader of the Lehigh
Valley employees affiliated with the
United Brotherhood of Maintenance of
Way Men, said he understood that a
similar stand lad been taken by work
ers on the Delaware, Lackawanna &
Western and the Central Railroad of
New Jersey. The Lackawanna en-
ployees are to meet their road officials
on the wage cut proposals tomorrow,
ard the Jersey Central workers are to
have conferences on Thursday and
Friday.
Marine workers employed on the
floating equipment of the New York,
New Haven & Hartford Railroad at
conference with the marine depart
ment heads of that line, yesterday de-
q reduction in wages. The labor lead
ers announced that they would carry
their fight to the United States Rail-
road Labor Board. A vote on the ques-
tion is how proceeding among similar
employees on the other lines, more
than 5000 workers on tugboats, barges
and lighters in the harbor being af-
fected.