Evening star., 1949-06-05
Berlin Strikers Urge
That Rail Office Split
Info East, West Units
By the Assosiofsd Press

By the Assoeiofsd Press
BERLIN, June 4.-west Berlin's
railway strikers proposed today
that the German railroad admins
tration split itself into two busi-
ness offices along East-W West lines
to end the two-week walkout.
Rejection was implied. however,
by statement of the president of
the Soviet-controlled system, Willy
Kreikemeyer, to q West Berlin re-
porter.
There is only one manage
ment." Kreikemeyer snapped.
West Berlin's lord mayor. Ernst
Reuter-, offered In q letter to Krei-
kemeyer to lend the railway sys-
tenn West marks and proposed
himself as a mediator in an effort
to speed the settlement and get
the $4,000 strikers back to work.
Separate Offices Suggested.
The strikers suggested that the
railway. which is controlled by the
Russians. could still operate rs one
system, but have both West Berlin
and East Berlin Offices.
The Western Office, under this
proposal, would recognize the
striking independent trade union
CUGO), pay the workers in West
marks, and guarantee the workers
would not be fired for political
reasons or for striking.
The railway administration,
which has refused to deal directly
with the western trade union.
technically would save face. The
East Berlin Office would continue
to do business In Soviet zone East
marks and continue to bargain
with the Communist Free German
Trade Union.
There was no immediate reac-
ton from the management. OLe
official denied that any such pro-
posal has been received.
Ugo leaders said they we're re-
luctant to advocate such a divi-
sion. but a spokesman said I'VE
think they (the administration
will negotiate"
1T now depends on the Reichs-
balm (railroad) whether they are
ready for discussion with U.s." he
continued.
Red Offer Turned Down.
The railway administration al
ready has offered to pay 60 per
cent of the strikers wages in West
marks, but the offer has been
turned down by a vote OF the
strikers, who demand 100 per cent.
However. the railroad apparent
ly has taken steps already to get
revenue in West marks for pay
ment OF wages in West marks.
Orders have gone out that all
fares on elevated trains in West
Berlin be collected in West marks.
Tenants on railroad-owned prop
erty in .the Western sectors also
have been notified to pay rentals
in West marks. Previously the
Russians had refused to recognize
the West mark and insisted on
collecting fares in East marks. &
The new orders were not effec-
tive, however, since the elevated in
West Berlin is not operating be-
cause of the strike.
Because lines run through the
Western sectors. freight move
ments to Berlin from Western
Germany also have been stopped,
60-Day Reserve Built Up.
American officials said. however,
that despite the strike 60-day
reserve of food and coal has been
built up in West Berlin since the
lifting OF the blockade May IL.
There was only a three-week re-
serve when the blockade went in
to effect almost a year ago.
The officials said 10000 tons
were brought in by rail, 10000 tons
by truck and 10000 tons by canal.
up to the time of the strike. The
airlift added another 1000 tons
q day. Trucks and barges are con-
tinuing to bring in $500 to 1000
tons a day. In addition, with the
lifting of restrictions, many tons
arrive from the Soviet zone and
the Soviet sector of Berlin.
j. w. Darling, an economics Of
ficial in American Military Gov
ernment. said West Berliners are
gaining weight and are better off
than at anv time since 1QAS