Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-06-08
THREAT Of STRIKE
IS DISCOUNTED BY
RAIL ROAD HEADS
Talk of Walkout Inspired
by Union Leaders,, AS.
serts Statement.
DOUBT EMPLOYEES IN
MOOD TO QUIT JOBS
Men Have Been Expecting
Reduction in Pay and
Are Prepared.
WAGES ARE HIGHER THAN 1917
Viewpoint OF Labor Chiefs Dis
torted by Resistance to
| Board.
DOUBT EMPLOYEES IN -
MOOD TO QUIT JOBS
WAGES ARE HIGHER THAN 1917
Viewpoint OF Labor Chiefs Dis
torted by Resistance to
Board.
IBy Associated Press.l

10y associated PreSS.1
CHICAGO, June 7.-Declaring that
there Is no talk of a strike among
railway workers. the presidents of
SIX Chicago roads tonight issued a
JOINT statement charging that all
threats OF walkout were being in
spired by union leaders
The statement. which was signed
by II. K. Byram. of the Chicago. MIL
waukee and st. Paul; Hale Holden.
of the Burlington; w. II. Finley. the
Northwestern; j. E. German. Rock
Island; c. II. Markham, Illinois Cen.
tral. and S. NJ. FELTON,. Chicago Great
western. follows, in part:
Threats of strike, made by lead
ers OF the railroad labor unions. are
appearing with such frequency that
the time seems opportune for cues-
tioninS the soundness OF their talk
There Is very good reason for
doubling whether the mon them
serves. that is the railroad employees,
really are In sympathy with resist
ance to the decisions OF the United
states Railway Labor Board.
Men Expected Cut.
The truth is that the men have
been expecting a reduction in their
wages and have made. or are making,
preparations to meet tho new seal.
There Is no talk OF a strike among
the men. The disturbing statements
read by the public are prepared
by leaders of the unions, whose view
point has been distorted by months
OF effort before the board to resist
the inevitable downward trend OF
wages. Tha-yemployes. on tho other
nah~ - In the main sincerely I'm
terested in taking care of their Jobs
and homes. and few employees in any
industry have more good reasons for
doing So
"B. NJ Jewell. spokesman for these
railroad unions. has severely criti-
cized the decision OF the Railroad
LaEor Board awarding the reduction
In wages OF shop employees. Jewell
says the decision will cause employes
to believe the board Is mot an i'm :
partial court created to help the
railroads carry out their labor nol-
ICY. He attacks the wage award also
on the ground that the proposed
scales are lower than the minimum
ieo 10 support the average fam
lily according to American standard.
Still Higher Than 1917.
The public should not overlook the
fact that in deciding the proposed
wages of these employees, mainte-
nance-of-way and shop. the Labor
Board, which is a government BODY
said after the reductions made under
this decision-these employees on the
railroads will still be receiving as
scale a wage in excess of that
paid to similar employees In other in .
dustrtes. The board held In its opin-
Ion that measured by the present
cost OF living. the average hourly
wages OF machinists. for Instance.
after July I. will still have 10 per
cent more purchasing power than in
December. 1917; those of carmen 4s
per cent moro purchasing power: and
those OF common laborers 451-2 nor
cent more. That Is TO say. measured
Ey the cost OF living. their wages
VIII stsll be these percentages higher
than at the end of 1917"