Grand Forks herald., 1922-06-21
STRIKE VOTES
COMING SLOW
Hooper Says Strike Would
Hurt Unions, Members
and Public.

Chicago. June 21.-(By The Asso-
ciated Press. )-Although expressing
hope for rush Of ballots the rest of
the week, union headquarters where
the strike vote of railway employees is
being tabulated, today admitted dis
appointment over the volume Of re-
turns In the nationwide referendum
OF shopmen and other rail workers
on the question of a walkout in pro-
test against wage cuts ordered by the
United States railroad labor board.
%aassya Asalnst Strike, sF;;,..s1z
Reports on the balloting at the
Burnside shops OF the Illinois Central
were TO-. the erect the boilermakers
thsre@ had voted overwhelmingly
against q a-strike. Anti strike sentiment
among the Burnside boiler makers
was said to be almost unanimous. But
five days remain before the general
committee Of 80 representing the rail
workers meet in Chicago to canvass
the returns. The general chairmen are
expected to arrive Friday and Satur-
day, intending to begin the ballot
count on Sunday.
Rail workers and their leaders to-
day were digesting the reply of Ben
w. Hooper, chairman Of the railroad
labor board, to the nine union chiefs
who informed the board strike
would be authorized if the referen-
dunn favors suspension of work on
the railroads.
Hooper Replies.
What effect Mr.. Hooper's statement
that the proposed strike would be dis
astrous to the railway unions. unfort-
unate for their members and unjust
to the public, would have on the bal
1Nki Ia Nnsv - &c
q matter Of conjecture today. g
Mr.. Hooper's letter said the strike
vote should not be taken on any mis-
understanding Of the action or atti-
tude Of the board and asserted the
ultimatum of the union chiefs mani
Tested "a strikingly distorted concep-
ton Of what the board has done and
why it did it, ,g. - N
Mr.. Hooper said although he felt
no reply was required he also felt it
his. duty to answer the union leaders
in the interest of railway peace and
because the threatened strike Con
tains such possibilities of loss and
detriment to the strikers"
Alleges Distortions.
"Your statement that the boards
last decision states openly that pres
sure of circumstances was such that
just and reasonable wages is not cor
rect" the letter said. THE decision
contains no such statement and none
that can be fairly so construed.
"Your statement that this board
says that the establishment OF just
wages for railway workers must
await the complete satisfaction Of
ownership in the matter lof rehabili-
tation and profits is an inexcusable
perversion OF both the language and
meaning of what the board in fact
said. A strike Of railway employees,
involving their wages, their employ
ment and their welfare based upon
such misleading statements OF this
boards sentiments and declarations
would be unjust to the men and to the
public. !.
"Your statement that the board
failed to take into consideration the
principle that even the lowest paid
railway employees, such as section
men and laborers should receive at
least a living wage Is utterly base
less." 'a
Misleading. Claims.
Mr.. Hooper them attacked the
Continual isolation and accentua-
ton" Of the minimum 20 cent rate
for common labor, which he declared
was made misleading by the union
men. He pointed out that section
mon will receive rate of from 23
to- IS cents an hour, the majority
considerably higher than the mini
mum as shown by the average rate
Of 32.7 cents. as compiled by the ne
board. ,33, I. sS, 81 &. III