Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-05-29
RAILROAD
BARS EmPl0YE
GROUP IN ELECTION

Chicago, May sS-Samuel Rea,
president Of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company, appeared voluntarily
before the United States Railroad
Labor Board today and read a state
ment indicating that the company
would adhere to it's position in re-
fusing to allow the names of the
Brotherhood Of Railway and Steam
ship Clerks. Freight Handlers and
Express and Station Employees on
the ballot for election OF employe
representatives.
On petition OF the union. the
board sometime ago ordered the
railroad to hold a second employe
representation election. declaring
the first illegal as the clerks union
was not on the ballot.
The clerks organization, which
the company maintains does not rep
resent the clerks and miscellaneous
forces of the road, is now before
the board in an attempt to show
that the carrier has not obeyed the
boards order. The board last week
telegraphed Mr.. Rea asking IL he
would appear today without a sub
poena.
I'VE conceive It to be not only
the right but also the duty of the
management" President Rea said in
his statement. Ito adopt a policy in
dealing with it's employees which will
in its judgement enable it to oper-
ate efficiently and economically,
with justice to the employees. even
though the labor board in its Ad-
visory capacity may not approve OF
the adoption of that policy"
Compliance with the boards de-
cision. which is similar to it's order
in like dispute between the Penn
sylvania and it's shop crafts. which
was carried to the United States Su-
preme Court. which upheld the
right Of the board to use it's ruling
although it pointed out that the
board was without power to enforce
the order would mean the repudi-
alton of legal and binding contracts
with our employers" President Rea
said.
Close and increasingly friendly
relations between the company and
its employees. which now prevail to
a greater degree than at any time
since the pre-war days, would break
down If the carrier should obey the
boards order. President Rea said.
Referring to the employe rep
resentation plan. and the Supreme
Court decision, Mr.. Rea said:
In adopting this plan we were
satisfied at all times with the just
ness and propriety of our policy;
and here let it be clearly understood
as so often mis-stated that the Su-
preme Court of the United States
expressly declined to voice any opin-
ion upon the merits Of the principles
and decisions adopted and rendered
by this board
"The decision of the Supreme
Court" he added, "leavs no doubt
OF our legal right to deal with our
employees in this manner and having
adopted this plan after most careful
consideration, it is our purpose to
adhere thereto because we believe it
is for the best interests of all con-
cerned that we do So"
Chairman Hooper of the board,
asked President Rea If he had been
informed by counsel for the COM
pany that the Supreme Court de-
cision in the Pennsylvania case gave
the Labor Board the same jurisdic-
ton over representatives as over
wages and working rules. Mr.. Rea
said he did not know.
The chairman then asked Mr.. Rea
II the Pennsylvania Company did
not sign agreements with the four
big brotherhoods as such. Presi-
dent Rea said he understood the
company had negotiated with the
brotherhoods as employees.
E. S. Semen, counsel for the road,
later said I'VE claim the legal right
at any time anywhere regardless of
the question OF majority or minor
ity representation, to negotiate will,
our own employees"
Chairman Hooper replied that he
was putting the company in the
same position as employees who
strike. because they hold the boards
orders are not obligatory.