The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-07-06

sions of the board in less than
three months after the board was
created and the Labor Board paid
no attention to their violations.
These violations, Mr.. Fechner ex-
planned, related to piece work be-
ing let out to shops other than
railroad shops, to the physical ex-
aminations and the wage rates.
The representative of the Gale
onian-Record also secured an
interview from w. X. Cleary, the
general chairman of the Boston
and Maine railroad International
Association of Machinists, who
was very glad to have the union
side of the case given to the pub
lie.
"The strike, said Mr.. Cleary,
"is the shopcrafts men protest
against reduction of wages, the
letting out of work, the abroga-
ton of rules laid down by the La
Dor Board, particularly as to over
time and travelling rules. The
first cut in wages about a year
ago reduced the men 9 cents an
hour. The abrogation of the rules,
which might be termed a second
cut, was the biggest reduction of
all as it took away $400,000,000
annually from the men, Now
comes the third cut of cents an
hour for five of the unions and
nine cents an hour for the freight
war men, with no guarantee that
this would be the last one"
"On the Boston and Maine and
on every other road our reports
are that 100 per cent Of the men
are out with none of the union
men returning to work as the
papers state. All the skilled men
are out in the Boston and Maine
shops in the six unions. The six
men that went to work in Lyndon
vile Wednesday morning did not
go back Thursday morning. No
force is used to prevent the men
working, but after the situation is
explained to them they decided to
stay with the union. Men that
come here to work do not go II
work after they see the situation.
About 375 men are out at Lyndon
Vile. Our men are all out in New
port ,Westboro, White River juno
ton and Woodsville. They are not
influenced by the propaganda that
has been put out by the other side
and they realize that even if the
shops are closed their property
will be worth as much in proper
ton as the other fellows"
Following the citizens confer
ence in the afternoon there was
a meeting in their hall in the
evening. This was very largely
attended with representative from
Newport, Montpelier and st.
Johnsbury The whole situation
was thoroughly gone over and re-
ports we're presented from the va
rious points as to the number of
men out. No vote was taken look
ing to any proposition to return to
work.
As far as the railroad is con-
cerned the management declare
that the Boston and Maine system
is not in any way violating the
rules of the United States Labor
Board or the regulations signed by
the railroad and the shop craft
unions on Jan, /, 1922. They
report conditions at all engine
houses and inspection points as
very bright, with all trains and en-
gines being properly cared for
Pickcts still guard the railroad
property at Lyndonville, men and
boys chat on the street in groups
and union pickets keep an eye on
any possible OBJECTIONS from their
ranks and the new Corners looking
for jobs. Some of the citizens feel
that it was a mistake to hold the
conference on Wednesday, some
regard the railroads announce
ment as a bluff, while others be-
lievc that Lyndonville as stated in
these columns yesterday, is stand,
ing at the parting of the ways and
that the men are acting unwisely