The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-29
STRIKE BALL O IS. MAILED ID 4O9,O0O. BIG FOUR MEMBERS.
Difference of Opinion Among Chiefs of Five Railway Brotherhoods Revealed
 By Ballots
By Associated Press

Cleveland, August 2S.-Strike ballots on the acceptance or rejec- ton of the recent s400,000,000 wage reduction recently ordered by the railroad labor board were mailed to- night to 409,O00 members of the "big four" brotherhoods and the switchmen's union of North America.
 The ballots revealed difference of opinion among the chief executives of the five organizations. the Broth erhood of Locomotive Engineers, Brotherhoods of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen Order of Railway Conductors and the switchmen using a joint ballot. while the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen sent out a separate ballot.
 The trainmen's ballot stated that i; had been the intention of all the organizations to use joint ballot but that this was impossible because the ballot adopted by the other orr ganizations did not in our opinion, contain an Impartial and unbiased recital of all that Is involved, nor did 1t convey the assurance that the 6 ing for reduced wages, would deter mine the question and that they would be permitted to leave the service"
 .'Win Mean Strike
 The joint ballot declared that if the membership vote was to reject the wage reductions which became effective July l, 1921, "it is to be un- derstood that the men will be per mitted to withdraw from the service of their respective companies unless satisfactory settlement can be reached under the laws of the organization
 The proposition which confronts our members and others,,' saia the trainmen's ballot. carries withMt an attempt to reverse that decision of the United States Railroad labor board on the wage reduction now in effect since July l or else persuade or compel the railroad companies to reinstitute wage rates that the labor board decided should be reduced.
 Many general chairmen at the Chicago meeting ton July 5 favored an immediate vote of the members on the wage cut and held that If the necessary majority of the member : ship voted to leave the service that d strike should te called forthwith; in an effort to force restoration of rates that were in effect on June 3v, 1921.
 Up to Men
 All members and others are hereby notified that if the mem bership vote is in lawful, necessary majority to leave the service rather than continue service under the re- duced wages now in effect, they will on any or all lines where such vote Is secured fwith the sanction of the general grievance cvmmitteet be given necessary authority by the president of the grand lodge. The president of the grand lodge will not with the information given, above) undertake to prevent the wishes of the men, as expressed in their oal- lot from being adhered to-
 The number of active members O. he five organizations to whom bal tot were mailed was estimated at iou,0eO trainmen, l1.,yv0 firemen. 80, : UOV engineers, 50.V0V conductors, and HOOD switchmen. In addition, the wage reduction previously had been voteo upon by the six shop crafts un- der the railway employees department of the American Federation of La bor Although this vote was taken sometime ago, the result has not been publicly announced but has been un : derstood to be largely against tle acceptance of the wage reductions. Both strike ballots issued today recounted the. negotiations lead ing up 10 the wage increases estimated as totaling $60o,u0o.0VO granted by the | railroad labor board July 20. 1920. After hearings which extended over 1 several months, the labor board granted reduction in wages of ap- prox.mately f2h per cent and esti- mated at $40O,0Uo.6o0 a year. July i, 1921 This was followed by meet ing of the general chairmen of the railway unions in Chicago in July, at which 1t was decided to submit the reduction to the men for acceptance or rejection.