The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-03
Danger of Strike of Railroad
Workers Is Minimized.
Wages Still High and Time is
Not Right, Say Employers.
UNIONS TO ASK INJUNCTION?
Effort to Hold Up Recent Cuts
Granted Is Discussed.
But Executives of Roads Say
"They Just Had to Kick"

in the final formal approval OF the
shop crafts wage reduction order
formulated by the United States rail-
road labor board prevented the ex-
pected announcement today and it was
stated at the board that the decision
would not be made public until early
next week.
Published rumors of the provisions
of the new wage cut were categorical
ly denied by board members today,
who declared the reduction figures
correct. The shopmen's cut. however,
will reach a total of at feast $50.0Oo,-
600 year, it was stated
Washingto, June s.-The spectre of
a combination railroad and miners
strike involving close to 100000
men and constituting the greatest IN
dustrial tieup in the history of the
country. began to take form in Wash
ington today. Even tho not yet ma
terialized, the possibilities of the situ-
alton are such as to cause administra-
tion leaders distinct uneasiness-
Cincinnati Junz 7.-Possibilities of
the use of the writ of injunction in an
effort to hold up the wage reductions
decreed by the railroad labor board
will be one of the subjects discussed
at the conference to be held by exec
utives of the railroad brotherhoods
and organization in Cincinnati next
week it was reported IN local rail-
road circles.
Railroad men said that if the Penn
sylvania road could hol0 UP even the
announcement of the decision of the
board by an appeal to the courts as
happened in the case involving the le-
gality of a ballot for the election of
a workers committee to confer on
rules and working conditions then it
was declared the same would hold IN
any activity of the board.
However, it was said there are Ger
tain labor men who frown on the use
of the writ of injunction on behalf of
labor. They take the position that
since organized labor has so frequent
ly disclaimed against the injunction it
would weaken their position to now
seek it
Chicago. June s.-Strike clouds
looming across the Industrial horizon |
are not regarded with apprehension |
by the country's leading railroad ex-
ecutives, it was stated on high au-
thority today.
No Time to Strike New.
I'VE do not take the present strike |
threats seriously" said the president |
Of one of the big middle west railroad |
systems. "a strike now or a month |
from now would be inoppor tune from |
the standpoint of the men and their |
leaders know it.
WO are against Itle HhGh-
hood of strike; first, employm ent |
men are not scarce. Sec
)nd, wages. even with the new cut 1
he pay of railroad men will be higher
han in other industries
The executive. who asked that his
name be not used. said the council |
IF war called by the brotherhoods |
'or next Tuesday in Cincinnati to take
Up the wage reductions ordered ef- |
'ective July 1 by the United States
r-,f, fe !, ,fr,f0
'bluff-biuff, pure and simple"
Big -Four Not AmenabIe.
They've got to make a play" he
asserted. TT would be bad policy to
ssent to the wage cuts without pro-
est"
The attitude of the big four"
at the Cincinnati con-
'erence. he indicated, would be re-
yarded with interest by the executives.
He said the big four" and the twelve
,ther railroad organizations are split
vide apart" and he doubted if they
you'd work together. He would not
De surprised if the big four" did not
Lttend.
In this connection, it is recalled
hat when the railroad brotherhoods !
i've alliance" several months ago. the
big four leaders were not present
n person.
Roads Are Cut More.
1t was pointed out by the railroad
president that the railroads will be
a ixi1g a cut in revenue July L, as well
Is employees. He said:
our people estimate that the inter
state commerce commission ruling re-
iucing freight rates 10 per cent will
slash the revenue of the American
-aiIroads approximately $25O,00O.0OO.
''At the same time, the maintenance
II way employees are cut approximate
V S5O,OOO,00O. The shopcrafts, ac-
,ording to newspaper reports, are to
,e cut about S50.00O,00o.
'fhus it becomes evident that the
-ailroads must, thru increased busi-
less' make up the difference between
vhat-thev gain on the wage cuts and
What they lose on the freight rate
.uts. which is just about S15O,ooO,-
l0O