The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1922-07-13
LAW VIOLATED
IN WAGE SCALE
AYERS JEWELL
Leader of Striking Shopmen
Says that This Was One of
Causes of Strike
ASSAILS THE RAILROADS
Declares They Have Violated
Decisions of Railroad Board
in 1O4 Cases

Chicago, July l3.-B. NJ. Jewell,
head of the railway employees depart
cnt of the American Federation OF
Labor, today sent telegram to
President Harding relative, to the
presidents proclamation on th'
strike situation and opening a new
phase of the grievances of striking
railway shopmen.
The telegram, which was also sign
ed by the six international presi-
dents of the railway shop crafts
edeclared that the strikers had walk
fed out because wages fixed by the
slabor board were in violation of tn,
sprovisions of the transportation act
and because of the violation of the
labor boards decision by the rail-
roads.
I Text of Message.
: The text follows:
/ 1T appears from your proclama-
tion of July II that incomplete in.
formation has been furnished you
concerning the present dispute be-
tween the railroad operators and en-
ployes. .,a
q "Ninety-two railroads have violat
ed transportation acts or decisions
Of the railroad labor board in 1O4
cases. These involved not only con-
tracing out work in shops but also
wage decreases, interpretations Of
rlles and right of employees to elect
their own representatives. When the
Pennsylvania railroad refused to
comply with the boards rulings,
Federal Judge Page held that the
boards position on wages or rules
was only advisory. The railroads
have refused ever since passage Of
the transportation act to establish
national boards of adjustment de-.
scribed as the labor board, as the
central part of the machinery to de-
eide disputes between the carriers
Sad their, employees. s,4,tq4 '-ss.'
Holds Basic Wage Unjust.
"The railroads have made all ne
gotiations mercfy informal, thus
throwing on the board an impossible
burden of arbitration. The board
has abolished overtime pay for SUI
days and holidays, enjoyed for thir-
ty years even on unorganized ROADS.
The board has established a rate Of
pay of $500 a year through the de-
partment of labor fixed the bare cost
Of living at over s1,40o and mini
mum comfort budget at over $4,000.
"When the basic wage is unjust it
follows that all wages graded up
wards for skill and responsibilit,
are likewise unjust. Organized en-
ployes support your declaration of
May %, 1921, that the lowest must
be enough for comfort and to in
sure that the struggle for existence
shall not crowd out things purely
worth living for and should provide
for amusement, recreation and saw
ing. Employees have never violated
decisions and employees have refused
to work under wages fixed by the la
Dor board which violated provisions
of the transportation act.
Strike Last Resort.
1.-THE board has attempted to un-
load financial burdens of railroad
management upon employees through
inadequate wages and will under.
mine the health and prosperity of
the next generation. After exhaust.
ing all other methods, the employees
sought again to obtain conference
and agreement with the railroad ex-
ecutives. Only as last resort did
they strike. We respectfully insist
that no interruption of commerce
or interference of mails was caused
by direct or. unlawful acts of the
organized employees. Such Interrupt
tion and interference results inevi-
tably from attempts of railroads to
operate with insufficient, incompc-
tent and unskilled workmen. Such
interruptions and interference will
continue and increase until agree
ment is obtained upon just and rea-
sonable wages between the repre-
sentatives Of the skilled employees
and railroad executives who, up to
date, have refused even to meet with
employees representatives. We stand
ready to cooperate whole-heartedly
with any effort to bring about such
-, orroomopf