Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-05-31
STRIKE BALLOTS
WILL Be SENT OUT
BY RAIL WORKERS
Maintenance of Way En-
ployes Unanimously De.
eide on Vote.
WALKOUT WOULD BE
EFFECTIVE ON JULY S
Estimate More Than 100000
Men Will Be Affected
by Cut.
RETURNS ARE DUE by JULY I
Federated shop Crafts Serves UIti-
matum to Railroads of
WALKOUT WOULD BE
EFFECTIVE ON JULY S
RETURNS ARE DUE BY July
Federated shop Crafts Serves UIti-
matum to Railroads of
America.
[By Associated rress.l


DETROIT. May 3O.-The executive
council of the United brotherhood
of Maintenance OF Way Employees
and Railway shop Iaborers this af-
tcrnoon unanimously adopted n rcso-
luton instructing. l.. T.. Cradle, the
president. To send out strike ballots
TO all members of the organization
and all nonunion workers in the
crafts affected by the wage cut or.
dcrcd by the Railroad Labor Board
Sunday.
President Cradle announced the
ballots would be sent out Immediate
ly, and that il the workers decided
10 strike in protest against tho cut.
tho walkout would be effective about
July 5. lie estimated 47S,Goo mem
bers OF the union. and about $4,000
nonunion workers would be asked
TO vote. virtually every railroad in
the country with the exception OF
short lines and electric roads bcinn
affected.
Fixes July :.
The resolution adopted by the ex-
ecutive council, which is composed
OF the officers of the union specified
the ballots should ask whether or not
the workers were willing to accept
the cut and declared II they werc
not the union will use the full
economic powers of the organiza-
ton to resist the reduction OF wages
ordered by the labor board"
President Cradle said afterwards
he expected the returns would be
in by July /. explaining in case Of
a strike vote he was empowered to
call the men out, he axcd July 3, as
the tentative date, by which arrange
ments could be completed to put the
strike In effect. The wage cut is
effective July /, under the board or
der.
Mr.. Cradle expressed the belief
that other railroad brotherhoods
also would conduct strike referen-
dums within the near future. and
declared II the others voted to strik e
the maintenance of way men would
join them. In the vent the members
OF his organization favored such ac-
tion.
Finances Strong.
The brotherhood's financial condi-
tion Is the hest 1t ever has been, and
sufficient funds are available to con-
duct strike. the president said. He
declined tn state the amount the
brotherhood has in it's treasury.
a strike on the part OF the brother
hood, would. according TO the presi-
dent. affect all mechanics. mainten-
ance OF way men. including section
hands and foremcn, track men. bridge
builders. painters. coal chute men,.
cinder-pit men and carpenters on all
principal roads.
Mr.. Cradle said he based his be-
lief that other unions might take n
strike vote on the attitude shown at
the recent mceing in Chicago of rep
resentatives of the railway depart
ment of the American Federation OF
Labor al which he said sentiment was
favorable for strike vote In the
event of wage reductions.
Mr.. Cradle. in explaining the move
of brotherhood officials. declared all
believed the wage reductions were
''unwarranted and unfair" at this
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