The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-07-15
SlVIS STRIKERS GIVE
THEIR SIDE OF DISPUTE
WITH THE RAILROADS

or TACT notice was given the board
On June II Of the contemplated ac-
ton Of the shops crafts, and the
board replied on June 20. There
was plenty Of time for the board
and the railroad executives to hold
meetings If they desired, but they
did not think that the shops crafts
meant business. Further proof Of
this is the statement through the
press by the railway executives
that the men would not strike in
protest against the treatment ac-
corded them, and that talk of such
action was only a bluff on their
part
THE Chicago papers carry adver-
tisements offering as high as IS per
day and time and one-half for over
time with free board and room for
railroad mechanics. 1t would seem
that our claims are pretty we'll
founded when the railroads can
justify the payment Of more than
double what we are demanding, and
1t must be remembered that the
railroads and the labor board claim
that the men are not strike-break-
ers, and also the financial condi-
ton of the railroads has apparent
ly improved suddenly, that being
their only reason for asking US to
accept reduced wages.
I'VE note the action taken by the
Davenport Chamber of Commerce,
wherein they endorse the action
of the United States railroad labor
board and urge the board to fur
/ nish protection to the strike-break-
ers during this strike. We have no
complaint to make against this &C
ton on the part of the Davenport
| Chamber of Commerce. but we
would like to make the request
that we be furnished with list OF
its membership, so that We may
know who our friends are among
the. business men Of Davenport
This they should be willing to give
us, inasmuch as they have openly
declared themselves.
| Our reports so far indicate that
I, public opinion generally is with US
there being many instances of halls
churches, council rooms and court
rooms being donated for the use Of
our men. Business men are giving
necessary provisions at cost ant
preachers are preaching favorable
sermons. For all of this we are
very thankful and appreciative, ant
all we ask is that the public in thi:
vicinity thoroughly consider botl
sides of this dispute before the!
pass judgment.
/ In conclusion, we will say tina
we have appointed a committee tina
we are pleased to call the peac'
committee, whose duty it will be tt
assist the authorities, both city ant
county, to maintain order and Il
quell any possible disturbance tina
may arise. We do not believe Their
will be any trouble, nor do We wan
any, and our men have been in
structed to carry on the strike in
peaceful manner. However, it ha
been proven in the past that me
have been imported for the pur
pose of creating trouble with tn
idea in view of placing the respon
sibility for same upon the striker.
1t will also be the duty Of the peac
committee to prevent anything c
this nature from occurring. Their
have been numerous reports c
holding up trains and fights nea
the shops of Silvis. These report
were started due to the fact tina
the train has stopped on two occa
sions in order to get on the mai
line, at which time the train wa
boarded by men over whom W
have no control. These stories ar
always enlarged upon until the
are beyond all conception Of Wha
actually happened.
THE men on the Rock Islam
Lines. and in fact all over tn
q, United States, are standing fri
for Justice and will continue
carry on the strike in a peacefl
manner until such time as W
are assured of square deal 3
! both the railway executives and tn
United States railroad labor board