Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 June 1918 — M’ADOO WARNS AGAINST STRIKE OF RAIL WORKERS [ARTICLE]

M’ADOO WARNS AGAINST STRIKE OF RAIL WORKERS

Director General Says Government Cannot Be Coerced by Walkout in Shops. CITES ACTION AT ALEXANDRIA Declares, “I Cannot Believe These Men Knew What They Are Doing, Men Are Now Employees of U. S."—Says Wage Board Will Hear All Complaints. Washington, May 31. —Director General McAdoo addressed a communication to the six lo ads of labor organizations having juris*liction over the machinists, boilermakers and other branches of organized la!*or employed in railroad shops. i»>:ming out the meaning an« 3 p«*s>iMe conseqaences of strikes or walkouts of railroad etnployees during the war. Strike Against U. S. • The. communication - reads*. “The strike of Certain shopmen, machinists. etc- in the railroad shops at AJexadria, Va.. has created a very painful impression on the public mind. I cannot believe that these mem knew what they w'ere doing. They are all employees now of the United States government. They are not employees of any railroad corporation; therefore, this was a strike against the government of the United States. “It is tiie first time in the history of our government that any of its employees have attempted a strike against their governmept." Such action is incredible. For the good of our beloved country, and for the honor of railroad men in the service everywhere, I hope that there will be no repetition of what every one must’ condemn as unpatriotic in the highest degree. Cannot Coerce U. S. “The government cannot, of course, lie coerced or intimidated by any of its employees. It is anxious to do justice to all and will do justice to nil as far as it Is possible to measure justice. “Recognizinz that there are probable inequalities in the recommendations of the waste commission which should be impartially considered and dealt with I appointed in my general order No. 27. dated May 25, a board of railroad vrazes ami working conditions composed of three representative labor men and three representative railroad men. whose duty it is to hear and pass u;*>>n all petitions and complaints. Justice Is Assured. “Every class of employees or parts of classes Of employees- who feel that they have just ground for complaint tinder the wage derision shoold submit their cases promptly to this board and they will he given just and impartial consideration. “The American people have just been called upon to pay largely increased freight and passenger rates for the purpose of laying in part the increased wages, amounting to more Ilian $300,000,000, awarded to railroad employees.”