The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1922-06-29
JEion Leaders Warn That They
viii Order Rail Strike if
Men Vote for It.
GOVERNMENT TO COMBAT IT
resident Harding Gives Labor Board
Full Support-Tariff Precedes Bonus
IN Senate.-Conferenc on Russia
at The Hague-De Valera Is
lrreconcilable.
BY EDWARD w. PlcKARD


[F TIE railway maintenance OF way
workers, shop men and members of
uthcr unions that are bulloting on the
Question Of IL walkout, vote for Il strike
July I. the officials OF the unions
I'll sanction it. In that case the un-
)nS will find themselves In direct con-
rict with the government, for Prcsi-
dent Harding has let it he known that
ne will. to the fun extent of his pow
"r. back up the federal railway labor
NOnrd. whose adjustments Of wages us
provided by the transportation act
ave brought on the crisis. The Pres.
11ent and the cabinet are Keeping in
close touch with the developments. and
all agencies of the government will be
employed to prevent strike If possible
h1d to render 1t ineffective If 1t does
Dme.
The stand OF the union leaders was
t forth in n long statement to the
Dor board I'm which the decisions Of
.nt body were denounced and warn
was given that the strike would he
".lled II the men SO voted. Ben W.
ooper. chairman Of the hoard, replied
this with charges that tho union Off
als had distorted md misconstrued
e boards decisions in manner to
2 lsled the men, and he cited Instances
~ this distortion
"A strike OF railway employees"
lid Mr.. IIoopers letter 'involving
cir wages. their employment and
weir welfare. based upon such mis-
90 ,i,-
t'nents and declarations, would be
unjust to the men and to the public"
SO far rs the shop crafts are con
cy ''ncd. one Of the three reasons for
n string strike may be removed with
m n few days. This is the practice
"i farming out shop work under the
tract system. The labor board has
u considering II complaints filed
inst various roads and It's findings
said to be almost ready for an
rollnccmcnt. Hearings In 30 other
cs are now being held. Early in
f'#y the hoard decided such Il cas-
fTllnst the Indiana IIarbor Belt rail
ROY a. the principles it cnuncinted then
i'"ng, briefly. that such contracts
violate the spirit and purpose OF the
transportation act, and In effect set
NS'de the wage decisions Of the rail
rond labor board to which the carrier
WAS party and which the carrier nut
into effect"
Railway executives generally are of
fhn opinion that. though the men prob.
aOiy VIII vote for n strike. 1t will not
be ordered: and they say that If 1t Is.
will not be seriously
Tho train handling forces.
engineers. firemcn, conduct.
ovS and switchmen, are not involved in
TIE controversy.
( y THE American Federation Of In.
! bor convention in Cincinnati n reso.
sion was introduced calling for the
hUanl OF the Cummins. Esch trims.
ortation act. with an amendment
'avorlng government ownership Of the
always. at the request OF the rail |
union chiefs the resolution was laid |
aside. w. II. Johnston. president OF
lie machinists. said: mot for a single
noment have we abandoned tho pro.
ram OF government ownership But
he present administration Is un.
friendly to us and we thought that It
gould be inadvisnble to press the mat.
err at this time. Our enemies would
barge that the forthcoming strike
ms called to force the government to
AXE control OF the railroads. We want
hat issue to be clean cut"
The special committee of the A. E.