The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-07-06
UNION LABOR
OPPOSED TO
REDUCED WAGES
Railroad Labor Organl'
cations Decide to Take
Referendum Vote on
Labor Boards
Wage Cut

Chicago, July 5.-The member
ship OF 10 railroad LABOR organize
tlons lncludlng the Big -FOUR
Brothernooos, will decide through
a referendum vote by september
1 whether TO accept or reject the
/! - per GEN.. wage reduction that
went into eHect on ralIrOdaS
throughout the country July /, it
was oecioed tonight by cnlet eX-
ecutiVes and 1,oUU general chair
men OF the organlazuons.
The general chalrmen decided
they could not assume response
billty for the wage reduction tlhat
was ordered by the railroad LABOR
board.
E. H. Fitzgerald, president Of
the Brotherhood OF Railway and
Steamship Clerks, Freight Han
dlers, Express and Stauon En-
pIoyees said that nothing can be
expected OF the railroad employees
Interested in the decision OF the
labor board except to resist to the
fullest extent the reduction n
rates of pay and proposed abroga-
ton Of certain favorable conGi-
tlonS.
Responsibility for accepting
wage reductions that went into ell
feet on all railroads July l, can
not be accepted by the general
chairmen representing the Broth
erhod Of Locomotive Engineers,
Brotherhood Of Locomotive Fire
men and Enginemen. Order OF
Railway Conductors, Brotherhood
Of Railroad Trainmen and the
Switchmen's Union Of North Amer
ica, they voted today.
The chairmen adopted resolu-
tions declaring that not later
than September /, the matter
should '.be referred to the mem
.bership through the various gener-
al committees for acceptance or
rejection. They also authorized
their chief executives to make ar
rangements, if possible, to meet a
committee of railway executives
to be selected to met substitute
committee of the five organiza-
tions Ito consider. and if possible
adjust all matters in controversy. I"
The chief executives and COM
mittees handling these matters
were directed in the resolution to
clearly place the representatives
!; of the railway corporations on
record as to whether or not they
will request further decreases in
rates or compensation, the aboli-
ton of schedules or regulations,
,or the elimination Of time and
ione-half time
The resolution further stated
that the ballot when submitted to
the.men shah contain an impartial
Eahdi Unbiased recital OF all that is
Involved and the wishes OF the
sien by ballot shall determine the
matter. ''in accordance With nhe
laws Of the organization An
nouneesnent was made that the
resolution would be considered by
ties OF the other. standard recog-
nized railroad labor organizations
and that it was expected they
would announce their positions
within As hours.
! The resolution said that the
general chairmen were required
not only to consider wage reduc-
tion, but in many instances rail
road officers have served notice Of
their intention to abolish time and
one-half for overtime in road
| freight and yard service. and in
addition thereto, to revise sched-
ules for the benefit Of the rail
roads by abolishing many rules
and conditions. which in the ag-
gregate mean the loss OF much
money and the ceration OF less ia
vorable conditions for the various
classes of employees
Much uneasiness and unrest
exist" the resolution continued,
which cause deep concern and
add to the seriousness of the sit
uation, and establish a condition
of affairs which makes it prac-
tically impossible for the general
/ chairman 70 take the responsible
ity of deciding these important
, questions for the reason tnat we
hold that no reduction in wages Of
the various classes is juStifiabla.
The resolutions directed the
executive officers to call to the at
tention of those in authority the
| fact that certain carriers. namely
| the Missouri and North Arkansas
railway and the Atlanta. Birming-
ham and Atlantic railroads have
| disregarded the decisions and
fouted the authority Of the rail
| = ! Il