The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-05-15
Bosses Seeking
Weapon Against
General Strike
CONTINUED from Page u


as a general rush back to work
was condition upon which the gov
eminent plans were built.
The continuance Of the railroad
strike adds to a serious situation
which is rapidly developing.
Employers Flight unlonlsm.
Other employers are reported to be
adopting measures to destroy trade UNI
ionism in their branches of industries,
following the lead Of the railroad COM
panies in declaring lockout.
The announcement today that the
railway clerks, who were not out in
the general strike, have decided to
join the new strike movement, threw
CONSERVATION into the camp of the
government.
The claim of anti-labor forces that,
altho a new deadlock presents crisis,
the contest now is one between cap
ital and labor rather than between Ia
Dor and the government" seems to
indicate tactics of attempting to free
the government of responsibility, to
give the struggle a "non-politicaI
character and thus enable the en-
ployers to work thru the government
as a neutral" force between labor
and capital
Government in Neutral" Role.
Today the government attempted to
appear in a new role as neutral medi-
ator between capital and labor. Pre-
mier Baldwin arose in the house of
commons and tried to present the case
as one in which the government pro-
tects labor against capital. Admitting
that labor now faces a general lockout,
as the employers place restrictions up
on the return of strikers to their jobs
as a result of the calling off Of the
general strike, Baldwin said that the
government will not "countenance any
attempt on the part or the employers
to force wage reductions against re-
turning strikers"
Meantime the movement of armed
forces to strategic points continues,
and everywhere the strikers are re-
ceiving notice that their return to
work is conditional upon their sign
ing new agreements.
The officials of the British railways,
after their announcement that they
reserve the right to take back only
such employees as they choose, and I'M
der conditions which will be calcu-
lated to make another general strike
most difficult and that the strikers
will be locked out until they agree to
these conditions, issued the following
statement:
Statement of Rail Barons.
"The companies feel compelled to
make these reservations in the inter
est to the public and to safeguard the
future peace and discipline on the rail
ways. i,if
"Rumors that the companies are re-
fusing to take back men except at
wage reductions are absolutely incor-
rect.
"All men who can be employed i'm
mediately are being accepted for duty
and others will be accepted as soon as
possible, subject to two conditions,
first, every man who left his work
without notice has broken his con-
tract Of service and the companies
feel that they must reserve any rights
they possess in the matter; secondly,
a number of men in positions of trust
have gone on strike and others have
been guilty Of acts of intimidation
and violence. The companies propose
to examine these cases individually
and meanwhile they reserve their de-
cisions rgarding them"
Trade Union Council In Session.
The Trade Union Council held a
long session and is reported to have
reviewed the entire situation, after
which it issued statement that it is
prepared to "offer stubborn resist
ance" unless all strikers are permit
ted to return to their work.