The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1922-07-06
Twelve Roads Agree to Discontinue
the Practice of Contracting
Shop Work.
TO CONSIDER PROPOSALS
Great Northern Will Today Open
Employment Office, Strikers
Will be Replaced.

IN the WalkOut. The employees chief
grievance was the action of the United
States labor board in sanctioning a
reduction of wages and changes in the
rules for overtime labor. The en-
ployes also vigorously protest the
practice of farming out shop work.
The six crafts involved in the strike
are the international association of
machinists; international brotherhood
of boilermakers, iron shipbuilders and
helpers of America; amalgamated
steel metal workers international al
lance; international brotherhood of
blacksmiths, drop forgers and helpers
! Of America; international brotherhood
of electrical workers; and the brother
hood of railway carmen of America.
The labor board attempted to avert
the strike, but Mr.. Jewell, who is head
of the shop crafts unions, refused to
appear at the official investigation,
claiming that the board did not need
his presence, and that by appearing he
would only jeopardize the interest of
the men he represented. He said the
board had outlawed itself by dealing
with the carriers who had violated the
labor boards orders repeatedly. His
chief complaints were that contrary
to the orders Of the board; the roads
had farmed out shop work, had re-
duced pay, and installed piece work
on certain roads.
On the other hand Mr.. Hooper,
chairman of the brotherhood, stated:
"Mr. Jewell has fouted a government
tribunal, charged with the duty and
responsibility of investigating this
matter, not only in the interests of
matter, not only in the interests of
own organizations, the interests of
the carriers and the railway transpor-
tation systems of the country. He has
shouldered the responsibility of his
own volition and the board desires to
pursue the matter no further"
Whether Mr.. Jewell should shoulder
all the blame for the strike remains
an open question. The fact remains,
however, that the strike is on, al
though no effects of the walkout of
100000 rail workers were observable
in Minneapolis and St. Paul Saturday
evening and the usual Sunday holiday
passed without incident. Mail trains
entering the city are running on
schedule time in almost every case
and railroad officials report the SER
Twice as normal.
A threatened strike of another 4OO,-
900 men who belong to the union of
the maintenance Of way employees was
said, to be postponed. E. F. Cradle,
president Of the organization stated
the members had outlined the follow
ing course of action:
'First-To instruct our chairman on
each carrier to take up promptly with
the management all the grievances
and controversies outstanding between
members Of our organization and the
carriers. u.
"Second-In case of failure to Sc
cure from any carrier fair and reason
able concessions in regard to the vari-
Gus matters involved, to bring these
matters before the railroad labor
board with the assurance that they
shall be given the right of way for
prompt consideration and decision.
"Third-To continue work under the
present wage decision of the labor
board under protest, pending the eff
forts to obtain a satisfactory adjust
ment.
"Fourth-To insist that any revi-
sion of wages obtained be made retro
active to July 1.
"Fifth-To seek Immediately from
the railroad labor board a ruling alb
solving our members from being re-
quired to perform the work of strik-
ing employees belonging to other
classes.
'Sixth-To withhold our strike or
der pending the carrying out of the
program.
"Wi 18th the best interests of the men,
oers of our organization at heart, it
S our judgment that more will be
gained for them by the program here
outlined than could be derived from |
my other course. Il
The clouds ere apparently beginning
% raise and the late reports on the u
hopmen's strike are decidedly encour- (
lging. Wednesday evening both the I;
strikers and the roads were claiming
he victory. The rail officials claimed
hat the strikers were returning to
work. and the unions stoutly main
aimed the walkout was still 100 per Ii
ent. Late dispatches this morning /
ontain no definite information in re-
'ard to the number of strikers who II
re returning to work but do state I
hat peace negotiations are in sight.
t appears that the shopmen and the II
ailiOads will come to an agreement: +