Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 February 1920 — RAIL WALKOUT SLATED SOON [ARTICLE]

RAIL WALKOUT SLATED SOON

300,000 CALLED TO . LEAVE RAIL JOBS ON FEBRUARY 17 Detroit, Mich., Feb. 9.—Orders directing 300,000 members of the United Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way employes and railway shop laborers to suspend work at 7 a. m. Tuesday, February 17, were going out tonight to the various locals of the organization. Decision to order the men out was announced by Allan E. Barker, grand president of the organization, following a meeting today of the general chairman of the brotherhood. The strike can be averted only if the federal railroad administration Increases wages demanded last summer, Mr. Barker said tonight. “The orders have gone out,” he. declared, “and we would require 1 two or three days to cancel them,” The strike, in addition to wage increases requested last summer, is for a uniform rate from coast to coast. It would affect store hquse employes, stationary firemen, stationary engineers, steel bridge workers, cinder pit men and oilers as well as other members of the brotherhood. A committee of ten representing the brotherhood left here tonight for Washington. The committee will remain in Washington up until the time set for the strike to take effeCt. lt has full authority to enter into negotiations with the director general, Mr.*_ Barker said. With the departure of the Committee, the conference of the general chairmen here came to an end. In explaining the decision to calk a strike, Mr. Barker said tonight: “The railroads are soon to be returned to private ownership and we feel that this wage controversy, which is with the federal railroad administration. Should be adjusted before they are released. Our representatives have been in conference with the director general for ten days. He has not promised anything and we do not believe he is going to do so. We decided to issue the strike call before the railroad administraftion Should have opportunity to pass the burden to. the private owners of the lines.”