Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 181, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1919 — R.R. SHOPMEN STAGE WALKOUT [ARTICLE]

R.R. SHOPMEN STAGE WALKOUT

SHOP WORKERS STRIKE WHEN WAGE AGREEMENT FALLS TO MATERIALIZE. Huntington, W. Va., August I. Two thousand employes of the Chesapeake & Ohio railroad shops here, went on strike late today. The men claim that the wage agreement, expected several days ago, was not forthcoming. Boilermakers and helpers, car repairers and helpers, machinists and tin fitters are the strikers. The ranks of the strikers were augmented tonight when the electrical workers and their helpers walked out. Activity at the shops was practically at a standstill tonight. The strike here is not a local affair, according to union leadens, who claim that before morning every shop on the C. & O. will be shut down. ——<o —

Chicago, August I.—Officers of the Chicago district council ofthe federal! shopmen’s union, which has called a nation-wide strike of railway shop workers effective this > morning, were favorably impressed svitlh President Wilson’s request today that oongreiss create a commission to consider wage increases for railroad employes. When reports were -received that the president had suggested that any wage increase be made retroactive to August 1, 1919, the union leaders here said that they would remain firm for retroaction to January 1, 1919. The strike, according to reports, was chiefly effective in the middle west and southeast. In the laitter section 35,000 men laid down their too&, union officials said. All over the country and especially in the middle, union locals were voting tonight on the strike proposal. Tomorrow will see a big increase in the number of men on strike, union officials believe.