Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 August 1919 — OPERATE TRAINS OR THE U. S. WILL [ARTICLE]

OPERATE TRAINS OR THE U. S. WILL

Director General Hines Warns Strikers In the West to 60 to Work. ACCEPT OFFER, SAY CHIEFS Union Ixwlem Urge Men to Agree to tiie Wilson Plan Pending Reduction of High Coat of Living. • Washington, Aug. 20.—Director General Hines served notice on “public officers, railroad officers, and employees and citizens generally in California, Arisona and Nevada, that the railroad administration would undertake to restore full railroad service 1» those states on and after seven o’clock next Saturday morning. All striking employees who do not return to work by that time will find their places filled. Any one who Interferes with or Impedes use of railroad property, Mr. Hines said, would be dealt with for having committed an offense against the United States. This action, coming after the announcement by the four brotherhood chiefs that they wonld assist the railroad administration In operating the lines, if the Illegal strike was not terminated, Is the most drastic ever taken by the government In a labor controversy. Mr. Hines, In addition, sent telegrams to the governors of California. Nevada and Arisona and to the mayors of principal cities In those states asking co-operntlon In maintaining traffic and In preventing Interference with the movement of trains. Accept Offer, Chiefs Advise. Washington, Aug. 29.—Acceptance of president Wilson’s offer of a smalt wage Increase pending the outcome of fits government’s efforts to reduce thereat of living was advised by the executive council of the railway shop unions In a letter sent to all union locals. Officials of the unions conferred with Samuel Gompera, president, nn<> other members of the executive committee of the American Federation of Labor. Their letter said If there was to be a strike every class of railway employees should be willing to join In, the movement. Advise United Action. “If the federated shop trades strike now," the letter said, “they carry the full burden of securing the same general Increase for the 78 per cent of the railroad employees who have not yet decided what action they propose to take. We do not believe that we should allow ourselves to be placed In that position. “In our opinion the next 90 days will bring the entire situation to a head, and If a strike Is to take place every class of railroad employees should be willing to join In the movement, share their full measure of responsibility and net leave the Issue to be decided by 22 per cent of the railroad employees represented by the federated trades. “It Is our honest judgment that a fatal mistake would be made by our members to assume the responsibility of tying up the railroads at this time when the president Is evidently doing all possible to reduce the high cost of living. “It is but fair to assume that the president will have the loyal support of a majority of the American public in his effort to procure this muchneeded relief. We would, no doubt, be charged with obstructing bis efforts. “It should be understood, however, that If the government fails to effect a substantial reduction In the cost of living within a reasonable time we reserve the right to put the strike vote into effect.” Put Limit on Coast Strike. Saturday morning has been set as the time limit by which all striking railroad employees on the Pacific coar* must return to work “or the brotherhoods will support the federal administration in Its endeavor to operate trains wherever they have contracts." This ultimatum was sent from the Cleveland headquarters of the four brotherhoods to the strikers and was communicated also to the railroad administration, which Is undertsood to have completed plans for resuming train service if the unauthorized strike, denounced as Illegal by the international officers of the brotherhoods, Is not terminated. K It Is understood that union men will be employed In moving trains If the strikers do not return to work. Upon his return here from Europe Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, went Into conference with officials of the 15 railroad unions to discuss President Wilson's decision that there should be no. general Increase in railroad en>

ployees’ wages while the government was conducting Its campaign to reduce living costs. It was expected that a statement would be issued after the conference. Meantime the union ©facials declined to discuss what attitude Mr. Gompers had taken with regard to the president’s decision.