The Connecticut labor news., 1922-08-04
Employees Ask for Arbi- tratiOn Under Dis pute Law but Rail road Managers Disre- gard Plea and May Soon Have Trouble on Their Hands.

feet this week the Canadian railroads have reduced the wages of workers in conformity with the new schedules announced by the United States Rail road Labor Board, which precipitated a strike in the States. This action followed number of futile confer ences between representatives of the railroads and Federated Shop Elm ployes.
 The railway managers asked the employees to accept the reductoins without prejudice to any adjustments which might be made later. This the1 men refused to do. They have ap- piled to the Hon. James Murdock, minister of labor, for board of arbi- tration under the Canadian industrial disputes act
 Boards of arbitration doubtless will be granted, but in the meantime the men will be paid at the reduced rates. 1t will take considerable time, probably two or three months, before the boards san make their investiga- tions and report Its findings will be retroactive. In the meantime it is confidently expected that the strike in the United States will have termin- ated and it's settlement made the basis of an adjustment of the Canadian dispute.
 Board Will Hear Case.
 Boards have been appointed to deal with the cases of the employees of the Pere Marquette and Michigan Central roads, who have refused to make re- pairs to cars and engines that oper- ate across the border in the United States.
 While the roads have assumed the positoin of fagrantly breaking the law, which provides that arbitration must be employed before a dispute can be created, the employees do not intend to declare a strike until the case is heard, thus putting them in full compliance with the act of par liament.
 It is believed, however, that in the event of an unfavorable decision to the men a strike will be called. In some quarters this is considered a re- mote contingency, for the fight being made by the workers of the United States will, as already stated, prob ably determine the wages and work ing conditions of Canadian workers.
 Will Study Unemployment.
 The unemployment situation con- tinues to give a great deal of worry to the government. This is made evident by the announcement that the premiers of the various provinces have been invited to hold a confer ence with the federal government on the subject.
 Organized workers have been mak- ing an earnest attempt to enlist the interest of officials in a situation which is more acute than a large part of the public suspects. To this end President Tom Moore, of the Trades and Labor Congress, which cores ponds to the American Federation of Labor in the United States, requested members of the parliament to make a statement on unemployment, to serve as guide for administrative action.
 So lightly did parliamentarians take this appeal that but B of the 235 members paid any attention to it. This apathetic attitude shocked re- familiar with conditions and are ap- prehensive of what may develop when winter comes unless prompt steps are taken to relieve distress.
 A characteristic reply was made by F. w. McCrea, who was among Can adds numerous wartime prohteers.
 There is no need for unemploX- ment," he said "The people of this country are strong and healthy and able to work If they are unable to secure work they should secure piece of land somewhere and raise enough to live on."
 That answer demonstrates the utter bankruptcy of oficialdom on a na- tion's gravest domestic question.
 Labor Candidates Aheld
 Progressive and Labor candidates are running independently in the Manitoba provincial elections, which will be held this month, and this fact complicates an already uncertain sit uation Both of the old political par ties-Conservative and Liberal-are making a determined effort to regain last power.
 The United Farmers, otherwise the