Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-06-28
STRIKE ULT|MATUM
ISSUED BY UNIONS
FOR A MILLION MEN
Demand Railroad Exccu.
tives Agree to Negotiate
With Labor Heads.
JULY | IS DATE SET
FOR THE WALKOUT
Announcement Is Delivered
by Bert Nj. Jewell to I.
De Witt Cuylcr. !.
ENDS LAST HOPE OF rEAcE
Includes Shop Crafts. SIgneImcn,
Mnintennncc-o Unions Hnd
Stationary F'trcmcn.
JULY | IS DATE SET
FOR THE WALKOUT
ENDS LAST HOPE OF rEAcE
Includes Shop Crafts. SiEneImcn.
Mntntennncc-o Unions and
Stationary Frrcmcn.
ny Rodney Dntchcr.

United News Staff Correspondents
CHICAGO. June 27.-A strike OF
more than 100000 union railroad
employees will begin July I. unless
railroad executives agree to rego-
tiate with union heads toward set
Element OF their disputes before that
time.
This ultimatum was delivered 70 ths
railroads late Tuesday in n long telp-
gram from Bert NJ. Jewell. president
OF the Railway Employees Depart
ment of the American Fcderatio ct
Labor. 10 T. De Witt Cuyler. Of New
York. chairman OF the Association OF
Railway Executives.
Follows Tvo-Dny Session.
1t followed two-day session ct
the executive council. composed al
the International presidents Of the
rail unions, and of the general policy
committee OF ninety district chair
men. which canvassed the strike vote
and found ii to be ovcrwhc imingly in
favor OF walkout
The announcement, practically de-
Siroycd the last vestiGe of hope for
peace as there is believed to be lit
tie likelihood that the carriers will
consider the opening OF negotiations,
Pending the result of such negotta-
tions. the unions demand the con-
tinuation OF payment OF wages now
In force. the restoration OF working
rules abrogated by recent labor board
decisions. and tho discontinuation OF
| contracting out shop work.
The strike, which Jewell advises
the carriers will be unavoidable un-
less these demands are granted at
once" VIII include the shop crafts
unions. the maintenance of-way
unions. the railway signalmcn ana
the stationary fremen. Estimates
place the number of the men at
fected at close to 100000.
July Set for walkout.
July l. the date set by the unions
for the waikout, Is tho day when
the wage cuts on these classes of
railroad labor become effective
Jewclfs message TO Cuyler, which
is admittedly sent for the purpose OF
making clear to Cuyler and the pub.
lie the mca OF your rcsponsibil-
n.y. takes up the railroad disputes
and the Developments In the situation
| during the past two years. and
charSes that the railroad manase-
ments use or violate the transporta-
ton act as suits their purposes, and
Is to their advantage.
1T became evident early in the
development OF the present contro-
versE,' the communication declares.
that tho purpose OF the carriers In
dealing with their employees were:
First. TO organize arrangements for
national action in support OF uni
form policies
Second. to avoid negotiations with
'ne employees organized likewise for
national action;
cies Of management upon local or
Ganizations OF employees;
fonrth. upon the inevitable failur.
OF such Unfair methods of negotia-
tion, 10 throw upon the Railroad
Labor Board an Unattended and I'M
possible burden OF operation"
Claim Dccisions Unjust.
me COMMUNICATION traces further
developments down TO the time ths
decisions.
After further hearings" IL con-
tinues, decisions have been rendered
within the past sixty days. attempt
ing 10 impose upon the railroad en-
ploSes reductions in wages in viola
tion of the principles laid down BY
mo ransportation act to govern the
liking OF reasonable wages.
These decisions are not only un-
Just as shown in the minority opin-
ions OF the board. but are in vio.
iation OF tho requirements OF tho
transportation act and wholly our
SIDE any authority conferred upon the
board
The railway executives h,yc h.or
able by concerted action to induc.
six members Of the Labor Eosrs tn
overthrow the preccdents OF a gen
Grafton Of arbitrationS establishing
the principle that financial obliga-
tons of railroad do not provide
Il reason for denying the workers :.
lust and reasonable wage. The frd-
inss would make the railways a para
site Industry surviving only by ths
process OF denying a reasonable
livelihood to the workers"
jewell goes on To attack the sys-
tom OF farming QUE contract shop
work. declaring that this course has
been frankly admitted 10 he an at
tempt 10 take employees out from
under the protection of both tho
unions aud the transportation act
Overu Ginning Majority.
"a desire has heen shown TO avoid
and discourage the settlement OF diS-
pu;cs by negotiations" he says, 80
create by carefully planned stratexs.
differences OF opinion and then tosF
carry unconscionable dema nds before
the board, on the theory that. a COM
promise decision being the useful
product Of such u board tho manage
ments would be able to deprive fhs
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