New-York tribune., 1922-06-05
New Rail Crisis
Gathering; More
Cuts Are Feared
Possible Strike Is Foreseen
as brotherhood Heads
and Leaders of Eleven
Unions Become Worried
Men Ready to Walk Out
Indications Are 100000
Will Vote to Quit if
Referendum l. Ordered
sr,clal pl.rateA 70 u. rr,hn-.

CLEVELAND. June "A new rail-
way labor crisis. involving q possible
strike threat. is fast gathering. IL was
apparent here to-day. In just what
way the lines will be drawn has not
yet been clarified. though IL is ap-
parent that railway brotherhood heads
as we'll As the leaders of the eleven
unions in the railway labor depart
nent Of the American Federation OF
Labor are uneasy over the reduction
already given 20 maintenance Of way
men and forecast for the six shop craft
unions.
The big four" hrotherhoods 90 Ear
have nothing 20 20 on except the ac-
t.on of the Labor Board IN reducing
pay for maintenance Of way men. They
refuse 20 take this as indicating that
their men will be given similar rcduc.
tons. not wishing. they say, ",o bor-
row trouble"
but ,he fact that he reduction may
come for one section Of the railway
men 40 a time puts all tho labor or
carnations ~ disadvantage which u
will be advisable. II possible. 20 hnc
some way Of overcoming. Some lead
crs say that the Labor Board is trying
20 take care OF them piecemeal and
asking that an alliance be formed o
prevent this
Men Ready TO Strike
Union chiefs who may take the frs
step toward tying up the eouniry's rail
way transportation meet tomorrow a
Cincinnati for n joint conference.
IT, as threatened. these leaders au
fhorizc strike refercndums. indication
are that the rank and flc % The mei
afcctcd-50O. 900 railway shoDmcn, 800,
600 maintenance oi-way men and clerks
telegraph operators and others aggrc
eating 200,000-will vote solidly for I
walkout.
The Big -Four brotherhoods and th'
svitchmen's union. not being involve,
10 the present wage decisions. viii no
be represented AZ the Cincinnati mce;
ing
Strike ballots for the maintenance OF
way employees. whose annual pay va
cut $4,000 900 By Labor Board deci
sion issued a week ago, we're author
lied last week by the Brotherhood
Grand Council. meeting In Detroit.
Only the decision involving thi
maintenance Of way men has been an
nourced. Another expected slash o.
$50 .OO0.0 900 n year from the pay Of shop
men may be issued by the Labor Boar,
early this week The smaller ciassel
will be deal; with later. but the re-
vised wage scale will. IL is said. be
come effective July In each instance
Ohicers Of the railway employees
department Of the American Federa
tion OF Labor were in conference &
Chicago to-day.
The Joint meeting a. Cincinnati vii
iust precede the national convention
Of the American Federation % Labor
which opens there next Saturday
samuel Gompers. president. is expected
20 attend the railmer's sessions. ar,
il is said he will have a strong voie'
IN determining their policy in regar'
20 The wage cuts.
The maintenance 81 way men arr
already taking their strike vote. p. "
jewell. Of Chicago. president OF th'
Railway Employees Department of 80
American Federation OF Labor also u
said 20 have ready an order for STRIKE
vote for the shop craft organizations
These organization include shop boilei
makers. biacksmiths. sheet metal work
ers. machinists, electricians ard car
men. Both these votes are 10 be 70
turnabic about August 3. But the saoT
craf's' vote will wait on The actual is
suance Of reduction order by th'
Labor Board.