The Washington herald., 1922-06-28
UNION LEADER
PREDICTS RAIL
STRIKE JULY /

These decisions are not only I'M
just as shown in the minority
opinions of the board. but are in
violation of the requirements of
the transportation act and wholly
outside any authority conferred
upon the board.
The railway executives have
been able by concerted action to
induce six members of the labor
board to overthrow the presidents
of a generation of arbitrations es-
tablishing the principle that finan-
cial obligations OF railroad do
not provide a reason for denying
the workers a just and reasonable
wage. The findings would make
the railways a parasitic industry
surviving only by the process OF
denying a reasonable livelihood to
the workers"
Attacks "Farming Out.-
Jewell goes on TO attack the
system of farming out" contract
shop work. declaring that this
course has been frankly admitted
to be an attempt to take employees
out from under the protection Of
both the unions and the transpor-
tation act.
"A desire has been shown TO avoid
and discourage the settlement of
disputes by negotiations" he said.
ito create by carefully planned
strategy, difference of opinion and
then to carry demands tefore the
board, on the theory that a COM
promise decision being the usual
agenments would be able to deprive
the employees of some part of their
just dues in each proceeding"
The questions submitted TO vote
of the unions. it is stated. were those
of wages. working rules. and con-
tracing out work to private shops.
Regarding the vote and the de-
cision of the union executives, the
communication concludes:
Sanctions withdrawal.
The votes of the employees upon
these questions show in each in
stance the decision of an over
whelming majority of the employees
to withdraw from the service of
the railroads. rather than to con-
tinue under these intolerable condi-
tions. 1t, therefore. becomes the
obligation of the representatives of
thes employees to sanction their
withdrawal from employment.
There is, however. one benefit
which may come to the carriers and
their employees. and to the general
public, from the fact that there are
national spokesman of the conflict
ing interests who might be able to
halt national withdrawal of men
from employment in the railway
service. if the railway executives
sincerely desired to avoid this con-
sequence of the previous course of
action.
For that reason. in behalf of
and by the authority of the execu-
tive council of the railway en-
ployes' department, l am informing
you and through you informing the
responsible heads of the various
railway systems in the United
Sites, and also the Pullman Com
pany. most of which are represented
in the Association of Railway Ex-
ecutives, that unless an immediate
arrangement can be made: (1) to con-
tinue the payment of the wages at
present in force; (2) TO restore OPP
Grafton under rules s. 10, IL, IA. Is.
As and III. as they existed prior to
the amendments thereto proposed
In decision 1922; and (3). to discon>
tinue the contracting out of work
and shops, pending negotiations be-
tween the Association of Railway
Executives and the railway en-
ployes department, looking toward
adjustment of the existing disputes
upon these questions, a sanction of
withdrawal from employment on
July l, 1922. as voted by the en-
ployes. will be unavoidable"
Members of the Labor Board ,Ie-
fused to comment.