The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-07-19
RAILROADS
MUST SUBMIT
TO STRIKERS
Leaders Of Shopmen
Declares That Rail
roads Cannot Win
Fight on Account Of
Demands Of Busi-
ness

Chicago. July II tBy the Asso-
ciated Press).-A strike bulletin
sent out today by 3. NJ. Jewell
head. of the striking railway shop
men, declares the strikers "have
the railroads in hole" Here are
the facts summarized, comprising
President Jewell said, "our strate-
gle position::"
Industrial and business condi-
tions throughout the country are
picking up strongly.
"Steel and iron production is
steadily increasing and prepara-
tons for further activity in all 9TH
er lines are increasing.
sDun's and Bradstreet's report
steady betterment of conditions all
along the line.
This means the railroads have
to carry tremendous amount OF
freight in the next few months.
Since the beginning of the year
earnings and business have in
creased tremendously over cor
responding period last year.
Railroad managements antici.
pated this increased business and
ordered 100000 new freight cars in
the first six months Of this year as
compared with only $4,000 new cars
for all of last year.
1The present demand for rolling
stock IS about 500 per cent. more
than the last five years average
and the demand for locomotives is
also increasing.
The prolonged coal strike means
there has got TO be tremendous
movement of coal between now and
December in order to supply both
domestic users. industrial concerns
and public utilities.
over 6eek ago the United
States. geological survey reported
the existing coal reserves are the
lowest they can possibly 90 with
out endangering the future regular
supply.
The threatened strike of sea-
men on the Great Lakes, if it hap
pens, will probably throw still more
burden Of moving coal on the rail-
ways.
.The latest report of condition
of equipment show the percentage
of bad order locomotives ranging
from u per cent on the Louisville
& Nashville to SO per cent. on the
Missouri. Kansas & Texas and bad
order cars from 5 per cnet. on the
Norfolk & Western to So per
cent. on the Pittsburgh & Lake
Erie.
Outside contractors can not
handle all this repair work and
most Of the roads are far enough
from the contractors shops SO that
the problem of hauling bad order
equipment to the contractors is a
big one.
Demand for labor is increas-
ing in outside industries and that
means that the railways can not
get enough men to replace those
now on strike.
tAll this means that time is
With us. Every day we hold on
weakens the railroads and strength
ems our hand. Hold on, brothers. :"
Chicago, July Is. Virtually
abandoning hope Of an early settle
ment of the strike following the
failure, Of last nights conferences,
railroad executives today prepared
to make determined effort to re-
open shops with non-union en-
ployes. according TO high official Of
the railroad labor board. This Of
fciaI said peace moves will be sus-
pended for the present. A stumbl-
ing block in the path Of a settle
ment, it is said, at the labor board
Office. will be the unions demand
for a restoration of seniority. and
other privileges to the strikers.
The executive council of six shop
crafts unions went into executive
session today to determine where
they stood on the propositions dis
cuSSed in vest terday'S conference.