The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-24
BIG FIVE MUST
STAND ALONE IF
THEY walk OUT
Signalmen Refuse to Join in
Rail Strike.
Brotherhood Chiefs, Undis-
mayed, Declare They Sit Pat.
FEDERAL BOARD is HOPEFUL
Public Is Warned Against
Taking Sides in Fight.
Chiefs Hold Conference on
Plans in Cleveland.
FEDERAL BOARD IS HOPEFUL

Chicago, Oct. 24-The threatened
railroad strike. if it takes place as
scheduled. will be limited to ATS 900
train service employees. switchmen and
te'egraphers.
THIS became certain today when the
signal men followed the example of
nine other standard" unions and
voted to remain at work. BY their de-
cision 1,525.000 railroad employees are
on record against tho strike.
Train Service Nearly Alone.
1T will be the policy of the organ
ization to perform their work-no
moreno less" Mr. Helt said. THE
signal men VIII not become involved
by word or action in a strike. If they
are instructed to perform work other
than their own by any carrier to the
extent Of becoming involved in any
Stoppage of work they are inst cucte1
to refuse to perform such work and
ta-e the matter up with the Organiza-
ton officials"
The decision of the signal men to
stay on the job leaves but one of the
eleven standard organizations-th
Order of Railroad Telegraphers-
standing with the five train service
unions which have ordered a strike for
october 80.
Big Five" Warns Board.
The presidents of the five unions
replying to the boards citation to ap-
pear here Wednesday, sent a joint
message reassertinG the stand they
took at their conference with the
board last week, when they insisted
thoy had no power to suspend or call
off the strike unless a settlement in
accordance with Z cir demands was
req ched
The only power in our hands. the
union executives tcIegra phed. 'is to
advise (our menl that a satisfa ctory
settlement has been reached" If thu
strike is called. however. there were
indications today that the strikers
may find themselves without any di-
rccting leaders. AS the board has
summoned the 1,400 general chairman
of the five unions to come to Chicago
with their general officers. a pro-
lOnged hearing would leave the locals
at home without leaders.
Prepare for Hearing.
The board today is seeking a hall
big enough to hold the hearing. Be
sides the five union presidents and
1,400 general chairmen, the presidents
of 165 railroads in the Glass a group
have been ordered to appear and with
attorneys and friends of both sides an
audience of nearly 1900 was in pros
pect
While the board today issued a
statement saying, there is great rea-
son to hope that the strike will be
averted." the strong stand of the union
executives as set forth in their ac-
ceDtance OF the boards order to APP
pear here Wednesday, indicated a long
drawn out hearing.
Members of the board according to
all reports. are still unprepared to Of
fer any different basis for a settle
union officers last week and rejected
by the labor chiefs. 1t is also under
stood that Washington has no plan to
present.
Whether the refusal of nine of the
sixteen standard" unions to support
the strike has weakened the brother
hoods position or their determination
remained in doubt today. Union men
pointed out that brotherhoods them
selves had not expected any general
support and had in fact refused tC
sign any pledge to cooperate with any
other organizations.
Board Has Peace Hopes.
The labor board announced for
mally today that it had great reason
to hope that the railroad strike will
be averted. The anHouncement warn
ed the public to refrain from loose
talk and provocative language about
either side of the controversy"
The announcement said:
There is great reason to hope that
the strike will be aYerted. The rail-
road labor board has settled seven
hundred disputes between the rail
roads and their employees in about a
year and a half; many of these dis
putes containing the possibilities of
strikes or lockOuts.
"The board is anxious to get the
present dispute out of the way in
order that the restoration of sound
business conditions may proceed.
"All good Am orleans should refrain
from loose talk and provocative Ian
guage about either side of the con-
trovcrsy. Neither of the parties
should be alarmed or irritated by un-
warranted denunciation or insinua-
ton from irresponsible sources"
Clerks Arc Against Strike.
Decision of the railroad clerks ant
station employees. numerically one Of
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