The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-04-21
Rail unions ASK
FOR COMPROMISE
ON PAY SQuADBLE
Will Ask at Least Partial Re-
storation Of Slash Suffered
Two Years Ago
JOHNSON GETS HARD AGAIN
Tells Alabama Mine Operators
They Must Be Cleaned Up
BY s P. N.

Railroad labor unions were expect
ed to reject Saturday q proposal by
President Roosevelt that they con-
tinue for six months an agreement
with the roads under which wages
were reduced 10 per cent.
General Hugh s. johnson told coal
producers In Alabama, where 2l.0O0
miners are idle, that he wanted the
situation Cleaned up" by 6 p. m. Sat-
urday. Two Alabama mine union
officials left Birmingham late Fri
day for Washington by airplane.
The Hartman Hosiery company Of
Hartman, Tenn, was ordered by Gen.
eral johnson to surrender It's blue
eagle for alleged violation of the la
Dor sections Of the industrial law.
An announcement by President
Roosevelt that he favored q perma-
nent agency to preside over labor
disputes gave hope to proponents of
the Wagner labor bill that 1t viii be
passed at the present session Of con-
gress.
WIN Propose Compromise
Instead Of agreeing to continue the
present wage scale, railroad men will
put forward, as q compromise, q pro-
posal to restore half Of the pay slash
given them two years ago, on July 1.
This became known Is representa-
tives OF q standard railroad labor
unions gathered for q renewal OF
conferences Saturday with Joseph B,
Eastman. federal coordinator Of
transportation.
Unless Eastman, directed by the
president to resume his negotiations,
can shake labor from this stand. q
continuation Of the weeks-long i'm
passe appeared probable.
In this case, Roosevelt would carry
out his intention Of ordering "a thor
ough investigation by q fact-fiudin1
commission prior to July l."
The employers, however, have ex-
pressed willingness for q continuation
OF the 10 per cent cut.
Would Aid Man 1t Bottom
Roosevelt reiterated his previous
suggestion for six months continu-
ance, but added q sharp suggestion
that the carriers immediately better
conditions for those workers lat the
bottom Of the heap"
He added he was convinced his sug-
gestions were:
What the welfare OF the railroads,
OF their employees, and OF the entire
country demands as the immediate
and temporary solution Of this mat
ter"
Apart from the immediate prob
lem, the president had another cabi-
net committee at work SATURDAY. on
study Of the whole railroad prob
lem. He appointed It late Friday,
naming Secretaries Roper and Fer.
kins and Attorney General Cum
mings.
The industry as . whole, he indi-
Gated to newsmen, has reached the
point where the only alternatives are
reorganization Of the capital struc-
ture OF the roads or government own
ership. to which he Is opposed.
Union Asks Concessions
It was indicated Saturday, prior to
the rail labor meeting with Eastman.
that the rail union men would ask
not only the five per cent wage res
toration. but aid for their colleagues
at the bottom Of the heap" suggest
ed by the president.
Roosevelt had this to say about
such q choice:
The question Is whether the elm
inatton, In whole or in part. on July
!. Of the 10 per cent deduction from
basic wage rates Is the thing which
their best interests demand.
II It Is necessary to choose be.
tween some measures OF relief from
furloughs, part-time work, demotions,
and low minimum pay and the elimi-
nation. in whole or In part, Of the
wage deduction, the choice should
certainly favor the first Of these al
teruatives."