The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1922-08-29

e m a n q
Pay Boost
Union Officials Appear BE.
fore u. s. Rail Labor
Board With Request
Jr Increase.
Bryan Urges u. S. Action

Washington. Aug. 2S.-Deelaring
the "eompulsion Is so urgent that
no time should be lost. William Jen-
nings Bryan. in . letter today TO
Senator Walsh, democrat. Msssachu-
sets, advocated action by congress
giving the president authority to
take over temporarily the mines and
the railroads TO put an end to an in
tolsrable situation"
Mr.. Bryan wrote that the govern
ment was faced either with the pro-
gram OF temporary control or roads
and mines. or OF turning over the
army ito enforce private and per-
sonal views" The latter course, he
said, wauld be "indefensible." He
told Senator Walsh that the resolu-
ton which the latter introduced last
week to give the president the power
to take over the mines had his ap-
proval and should be supported by
republicans and democrats alike.
Hearing Begun at Chicago.
Chicago, Aug. 28.-(By A. P.)-
Hearing by the railroad labor board
was begun today on petition OF the
United Brotherhood OF Maintenance
OF Way Employees and Railroad Shop
l.aborers on more than 100 roads ask
ing an increase OF minimum wages
from q cents 10 4s cents an hour. a
virtual demand for recognition OF q
basis OF eight-hour day with time and
one-half for overtime
The submissions OF the union were
expected TO be prcdicated upon the
relation expected TO be shown be-
tween minimum wages and the mini
mum cost OF living and it was re-
ported the union leaders planned to
urge amendment OF the transporta-
ton act 10 include a definition Of the
basis for computation OF the mini
mum cost Of living for railroad work
ers. The first opposition TO the union
submissions came when six east
ern railroads refused to rec
ognize the unions appeals
on the ground that railroad
shopmen, including some Of the main
tcnance men, were on strike.
Based on Cost Of Living.
Expectation was that the minimum
cost OF living and a minimum wage
would be intcrtwined closely in the
presentation OF the petition for re-
hearing OF the wage scale for the
100000 trackmcn, +. +. Cradle,
president OF the Brotherhood Of
Maintenance OF Way Employees and
Railroad Shop Workers, prior to the
hearing refused to affirm or deny the
reported plan TO include a minimum
cost OF living base in proposals to
amend the transportation.
Minimum Wage.
The unions position in its effort to |
increase the minimum wage of q
cents an hour for track men 10 AZ
cents all hour was to be developed in
the testimony Of w. Jett Lauek,
labor statistician.
Mr.. Cradle also had prepared a
long statement for presentation to
the board.
John G. Walber, representing east
ern railroads, and John Higgins. rep
resenting western railroads, were
scheduled to represent the railroads. |
Attempt to Wreck Train.
Memphis, Tenn, Aug 28.--A Sec
ond apparent attempt TO wreck a
Passenger train in the Memphis dis
trict was reported today by a sec
ton crew which discovered lS spikes
drawn from a rail on the st. Louis &
San Francisco railroad near Caple-
vile, suburb, shortly before the fast
Florida. California flyer was due to
pass that point.
Chicago & Alton Tied Up,
Sh Louis Mo, Aug. 2s.~-(By A.
P)--Passenger and freight service
on the western division OF the Chi
cago x Alton railroad was at conf
pltte standstll today as the result of
the walkout oi engineers, iifemen,
conductors and Swi,chmen in pro-
test against armed guards al Slater.
Mo, and Roodhousc, lll, il is an
nouneed here today.