The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-12-27
CHICAGO CARMEN
Resent TRICKERY;
MAY STRIKE YET
Arbitration Merely Plot
to Let Boss Prepare

Continued from PAGE Onel
in case the award should not be ac-
ceptable TO the men and secondly to
rive as little as possible. advance pub
lefty TO tho award in order 70 have
less difficulties in slipping it over.
How It Was Pvt Over.
1t will be recalled that shortly af-
ter the men formulated their demands,
last summer, and decided by a vote
of 100 to 1 to empower their officials
to call strike to enforce these de-
mands, the dispute was submitted to
arbitration without any strike action
having been taken. This decision was
arrived Mt in the following manner:
at one Of the regular meetings Of the
street carmens' union the officials
proposed arbitration and asked all
those opposed to such action to stand
M. Naturally, knowing that stand
ing up in this case would moan the
immediate dismissal from service. OPP
position could hardly be expected
Drags for Months.
While the matter then dragged for
months the rank and file presscrn fl
nally became so strong that on Dec.
9Th the joint union executive boards
of the two divisions, surface and ele-
waited lines, decided to aSt their N
ternational office for strike sanction.
President Mahon arrived in Chicago.
several conferences were held with
city and traction officials; nothing re-
sulting but promise to proceed with
arbitration. But the pressure was
again STAYED off
New Arbitrators.
The arbitrators formerly selected
we're dismissed and in their place Sc
lected Alderman Oscar Nelson, to rep
resent the union and Guy Richard
son, general manager of the surface
lines, to represent the company. The
two were to meet, negotiate and in
case of failure to agree they were
Jointly to select third member of
The board, whose decisions then were
to be binding.
Threaten Progressives.
The fight meanwhile carried on by
the prorressives for no other settle
;ncnt except on the basis of the full
demands being met had both the
union officials and the company wor.
,yied. An injunction against the ac-
tivities of the progressives was men
toned and Judge Wilkerson of old in
junction fame, now the appointed re-
ceiver for the surface lines, declared
his readiness to grant such injunc-
ton.
Progressives Active.
The progressives have continued
their activities. In leaflets widely
distributed, signed by Frank Carlson,
secretary of the Progressive Commit
tee, they call upon the men to fight
the companies and watch their lead
ers. They condemn the long delay
and point to the overwhelming strike
vote of the men last summer and
warn that the arbitration scheme is
a trap TO prevent the men obtaining
their full demands. The men are adj
monished not to be bullied by In
junction Judge Wilkerson. "He broke
the railroad shipments union" the
circulars say. "Lon't let him break
ours"
Point Out Profits.
The circulars further point to the
fabulous profits made by the COM
panies while the men are speeded-up
to the very limit and are fully en-
titled to their demands. Tersely, sem
tence after sentence, the grievances
of the men and their demands are
stated, winding up by saying: eve
must compel our officials to fight, for
our full demands or get out of office
We repeat: No Compromise"