Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-09-03
VIOLENCE FELT
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TONS railway employees department,
announcing it had been decided to rat
ify and emphasize" a previous pledge
of support by the labor legislative re-
representatives. of the national organiza-
ton.
The telegram. sent after a confer
ence of the legislative representa-
tives at federation headquarters, con-
stituted virtually the only comment on
the strike situation to come from labor
union officials here during the day. 1t
was signed by Mr.. Gompers. in his
capacity as chairman of Saturdays con-
ference. at which. it was indicated. the
restraining order issued at Chicago was
studied infinitely.
Rail Criefs Silent
Road representatives and officials Of
the government likewise were reticent
in discussing the injunction suit.
Although for three hours the SEN
ate gave its full attention to coal dis
tribution legislation, drafted to meet
the strike emergency, there was no
mention of the Chicago proceedings in
the whole debate, and officials of the
executive departments indicated that
they preferred to let the attorney gen.
rails injunction petition speak for it
self.
As bearing on the strike situation
generally, the Association of Railway
Executives announced that despite the
absence Of the striking shopmen from
their jobs, the number of freight cars
in need of repairs decreased 9,43S be
tween August l and August 10.
Although the total on the latter date
was 1882 above the figure for July
1. when the strike began, the number
listed as needing attention on August
Is was 335,575, or 14.S per cent of the
whole number on all lines.
The associations statement did not
cover the condition of motive power nor
did it show how many cars out
Of commission were of coal carrying
types. 1t was said at the organizations
headquarters, however, that associa-
ton reports from throughout the
country indicated that there now were
upwards Of 1O0, 1000 surplus coal cars
in good condition.
1t was said at labor federation head
quarters that Mr.. Gompers' telegram
to Mr.. Jewel was all the federation
president cared TO add to his state
ment of Friday: in which he %pronOunc-
ed the Chicago restraining order an
Outrageous invasion Of the rights of
organized labor, and declared the
unions would stand Upon guarantees of
industrial freedom given to them I'M
der the constitution.
In view of talk of a possible general
strike, it again was pointed out Satur-
day that the American Federation of
Labor had no authority to call for such
action, although it was said a number
Of resolutions and petitions from
local unions and others advocat-
ing q nationwide walkout would be
laid before the meeting of the fedora.
TONS executive council to be held here
. next Saturday.
Absolutely no official comment was
Forthcoming from executives regarding
the injunction. which they said Friday
had taken them by surprise. This week
the executives in presenting recruiting
figures, had asserted the strike had
been broken and predicted their shop
forces soon would be back to normal.
1t was apparent however that rail
heads were keeping close observation
on the effect on their forces of the
governments action.