Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1921-10-21
U.s.. BOARD WARNS
RAILROAD UNIONS
Chairman Says Federal Law
Makes Arbitration Compulsory.
WILL DEMAND A SHOWDOWN
Declares Rule of Body Is Final
Transportation Act Leaves No
Loopholes for the Roads or
the Workers.

Chicago, Oct. 20.-The federal
government has showed its@ teeth in
the railroad situation Iudge II. NJ.
Barton, chairman Of the United States
railway labor board, announced that
arbitration between the unions and the
railroads IS compulsory under the
transportation act. In case an agree
ment can not be reached by arbitra-
ton. Judge Barton declared. the ques-
ton must be referred to the labor
board. and the boards decision must
be accepted by both sides as final.
Judge Barton said that every
official of the administration in WASH
ington has joined in declaring that
the transportation act must and shall
be enforced"
Law TO Be Enforced.
''The provisions of the transporta-
tion act are specific and mandatory
Judge Barton said 1.-THE act provides
that, in case Of disagreement, the
workers and the roads must confer,
first, in an effort to reach an under
standing. The wording of the act is
very definite-it says shall and not
may
'eThe act provides that, in case this
conference results in deadlock or in
further disagreement, the issue must
be brought to the railway labor board
to decide. Again the provision Is
obligatory in its nature. Neither the
roads nor the unions IRE given any
choice in the matter
"Finally. 1t is provided that the
labor boards decision shall be re-
earded as final and binding upon the
parties"
Barton Silent on Action.
Chairman. Barton refused to indicate
what would be the probable action of
the board if the unions, disregarding
the clauses OF the transportation act
calling for conference and arbitration,
go ahead and strike. Neither would
he Indicate probabilities of action in
case the railroads should refuse to
accept the 10 per cent immediate
rate reduction said to be already de-
termined upon by the board.
Under the transportation act the
board has the power to hale before it
either or both parties to a dispute In
case arbitration awards are Ignored or
dlsobeyed
BY coincidence. the first hearing at
which any party has been cited to az
pear because the board believed 1t has
violated a decision is set for the same
day as the conference, Thursday at 10
o'clock. The Pennsylvania railroad was
ordered to appear at that time because
it has not held an election of shop
mems Representatives MS directed by
the board
To Demand Showdown.
CAS- lawyer" said Judge Barton.
81 am Investigating every legal angle
to determine what weapons the board
has to exercise disciplinary power If
orders are Violated"
Contrary to expectation. the meeting
will be secret. Nothing is to be pub
Iished. Judge Barton announced. I'M
til definite settlement has been
reached
Even then little will be given out,
he said, the reason being given that
the brotherhood chiefs have agreed
to enter into the minutest details on
oil grievances on condition that the
board treats information strictly con-
fidential.
1--WE can assure the public this
much, however, in advance Chair
man Barton stated 'The members
of this board win leave no stone I'M
turned to effect an immediate and
peaceful solution.
1--WE have made no plans for pun
ishing any one in the event of a
strike. 1t is not the primary purpose
of the board to punishbut TO pre-
vent. But we will stand no hedging
at this time.
I'VE are going to demand show
down"
|. GEN. ARMANDG DlAZ IN u. S.