Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-10-28
PRESIDENT OF UNION ADMITS
WEIGHT OF PUBLIC OPINION
WAS AGAINST STRIKE ACTION
Entire Washington Administration Opposed
to U.s." Says Head of Railway Conductors;
"Full Force of Government Would Be
Against Us if We Went Out"
Try THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,


Chicago, Oct. 27 (by the Associ-
ated Press, 1.-The rail strike sched
uled for october so was averted to-
night when leaders of the switch
men, trainmen, conductors. en-
glneers and firemen at Joint meet
ing adopted resolutions withdraw
ing authorization of a walkout and
otficlals of the railroad telegraph
ers' organization announced they
would take similar action. These
We're the only unions which had
authorized a strike.
The vote calling off the strike
was unanimous by organizations,
= w; q. Lee, president of the Broth
erhood Of Railway Trainmen, an
nounced. The official wording of
the resolution adopted was that
the strike be declared not effect
i've"
The vote in the individual unions
was unusually close, however,
the firemen particularly holding
lengthy arguments before agreeing
to cancellation of the strike order,
the labor chieftains said. In some
of the groups the ballot was de-
scribed as 'the closest in history on
a similar question" All of the diff
ferences were ironed out by the
different unions, however, and the
final showdown found all of them
casting their ballots for "no strike"
l.. Il. Sheppard, president of the
Order of Railway Conductors, said
that the unions had decided to call
n hA twill L.
growing public opinion that the
strike would be against the labor
board, and consequently the gov
ernment and not against the rail-
roads.
1T was evident also that the en-
tire Washington administration was
opposed to us and that we have
had little chance of gaining our OBJ
joctives," said Mr.. Sheppard.
1--WE called this strike to gain
certain rights to which our men
were entitled" Mr.. Sheppard told
the Associated Press.
ut soon became evident, how
ever, that the roads were succeed
ing in their misleading propaganda
to the effect that we really would
be striking against the govern
ment.
This railroad propaganda found
its way to the United States railroad
labor board. This governmental
agency told us that it would look
on a strike as against it and the
government and not against the
roads, and that the full force of the
government would be brought to
,,E II oil
Under such circumstances there
was nothing to do but annul our
orders for the october 80 walk
out"
The first announcement of the
executives action was made by Mr..
Lee. Rushing to the floor below
the hotel meeting room, where
dozens of newspaper reporters
were congregated, he smilingly
shouted:
"The strike is off, boys, but I've
only got one copy of the resolution
and I'll show you that tomorrow
All of the union men were smil-
ing as they came out and many of
them jocularly pushed and showed
each other down the stairs. To all
QuclleSs iHuSI VI lHSll IIleIely re-
piled:
TITS all settled. See you tomor-
row"
The code message calling off the
strike, arranged for in advance,
will be sent out tomorrow morning, |
the union heads said. A code word !
will be sent to each general chair
man of the unions, and he will in !
turn forward the orders to each of |
the subordinate officials under
him.
Rail Officials Pleased,
Chicago, Oct. 27.--J. H. Elliott |
of the rail group of the railroad |
labor board, when informed that
there would be no strike at this
time, said:
II am very much gratified at
the good judgment exhibited by |
the men. To say any more would
just be shooting the bull"
William Fl. Finley, president of |
the Chicago and Northwestern, at
his home. said
IT am very glad to hear that.
It certainly will be a relief to every
one."
Samuel FELTON,. president Of the