Evening Star Newspaper, October 17, 1921, Page 4

1 THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. €, MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1921. CITIES TAKE STEPS TO AVERT THREATEN D CUTTING OFF OF FOOD BY RAILROAD STRIKE FOOD SUPPLY HERE WILL LAST MONTH Use of Canal Can ‘Augment Three-Week *Store \ of Coal. NOT FEARED HARDSHIPS Supplies Could Be Brought In by River and Motor Truck From Rural ‘Districts. Notwithstanding eighty-five per cent of the food consumed in Wash- frgton is tramsported by ‘zail and an even greater proportion of the coal burned here is brought in the same way, a railread strike stopping every freight train destined for the National Capital probably would not infilct serious hardship on its population. Tt was estimated today there is at Jeust a three-weck supply of coal on hand. and this can he augmented by shipments over th: C. & O. which conmects Washington with the Georges Creck fleld, at Cumberland, Mad. Motor Trucks Ceuld Be Esed. The capital's food supply, without augmentation, is sufficient to carry it for a month or longer, it is said. Jairly good crops have been har- vested in the agricultural section bordering the District. Motor truck could bring enough produce in from the farms to carry the population through the winter. dealers assert, al- though the situation would call for a reduction in the normal table re- quirements of most homes. Fuel dealers played Mttle apprehension today over the prospect of a general rail strike. Most dealers have their yards full of coal and they generally are of the impression that before the supply has been exhausted the trouble be- tween the railroads and their em- ployes will have been settled. Canal Ready for Use. Should the r ‘essity arise, how- ever, the old C. & O. camal can be pressed into service to the extent of delivering several thousand tons of coal before freezing weather sets in. Then its usefulness would end. Plans have beer made to close this waterway for the season at the end of the present week because of slack business conditions. General Manager Nicolson said today that, if public necessity demanded. the canal could be put back to work next month and, under normal weather conditions, it would be able to operate until the middle of December. Only soft coal is mined in the Cumberland district. but in a pineh it could be used ‘in furnaces and stoves. Representatives of wholesale food establishments estimated today that ashingtgn has the following re- y of foods: Milk. 24 hours; meats, days; fresh vegetables of home- srown variety,’34 to 48 hours; apples, months; canmed .goods, 30 days. Collecting Food fa Weter Trueks. If the threatened Wyike should de- velop into a ‘seriouw ‘reality the problem of teedln‘fle capital would In;:uome one of = -food from the nearby cuuntry™in motor truck: food dealers were of ‘the nnanlmon‘u‘ hl::kf md-y‘.‘“a"m ‘sohued out that much could be trans- rorted by river also. The Pe Office ‘Department, which formerly operated & number of motor truck serviees in-an-effort to build up a farm-to-tive-table “buying move- ment. now has -but a single line in operation, the Leohardtown line. Tt was sald today the department still has a2 number ¢f ‘truéks which could be pressed into service it the food sit vation becomes meute. Prior_to June ‘30, 1930, the depart- mier* brought ‘tn stuffs over its motor truek Toutes-at prices -approxi- mately half the rTegular parcel post Much of this food was de. to and sold through lecal ommunity centers. Three Trucks Operate Daily. ongress failed to provide an ap- propriation for continuing the motor ‘truck service, but the Leonardtows line was continued on & full parcel post rate bas's. Three trucks mow operate daily over ‘this line and the department \ill furniah’the means ot rarmers shipping over fhe line to any Washingtonians who “wish to buy produce direct from the producers. Reports reaching the Post Office De- partment indicate, it is said, that the supply of general - produce in ‘the country is not up to that of normal years. However, there have been good potato crops. it is stated, and there is enough surplus food in the store- houses of the farmers to safeguard Washington against the danger of a famine should it be shut off entirely from supplies delivered by rai U. S. OWNERSHIP URGED. Typographical Union Declares Gov- ernment Should Take Roads. A resolution <advocating govern- ment control of the railroads of the country was adopted at yesterday's meeting of Columbia Typographical U"nion at the Typographical Temple. The resolution announced that it had learned “that the country is threatened with a nation-wide rail- road strike by the stopping of work of more than a million railroad em- ployes, besides millions of others wio will be forced out of work. If the railroads of the country have reached a point where they cannot pay dividends on their exorbitantly tictitious valuation and pay their em- ployes a living wage, it is time for the movernment to step in. assume control of the roads. squeeze out the water and operate them in the inter- ext of the public. CANADIAN LINES SAFE. Strike in United States Will Not Affect Their Operation. OTTAWA, October 17.—A. R. Mosh- er. president of the Brotherhood of 1w Employes, said today *he projected railway strik in the V' nited States would not affect Cana- dian lines. canal | in Washington dis- |t [ ‘Rudolph Warns D.C. Not to'Be Panicky in Faee .of Rail ‘Strike Commissioner Ruiolph, chair- m of ‘the 'Beard of Commis- slouners, today advised the peo- Wi ‘mot to be- micky and store in large len- of food threugh fear threatemed rallroad missioner Rudolph veiced the | || ‘Beltef :that (there s “mo mecea- sity for undue alarm here. The chairman éf the Board of Commissioners is confident means will be .found to bring in the mecesaities of life if the wailroad men carry out their fmtention to strike Ber 30. TRUCKS T0 CARRY FOUD TONEW YORK Bring In 1,500 Carloads Each Day. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, Oectober 17.—A fleet of 57,000 motor trucks, or as many of them as are found mecessary, will be mobil- ized in the event of a protracted general railroad strike, to bring New York its daily quota of 1,600 carloads eof food- stuffs, Health Commissioner Copeland announced today. There are adequate supplies In stor- age, he said, to ration the city through a rail te-up of three weeks, but im- portation 6f milk by trucks would have at once. The coal situation, Re said, was some- what less favorable, owing to the fact that coal companies have scant storage space in which to build up a reserve. Efforts are betng made to induce large consumers to flll their bins at once so that the dealers may stock up again for small consumers before the date set for the strike. Rallway ‘Executives Meet. Members of the National Association of Railway Executives wers called to- gether here today to make plans to meet the threatemed railroad strike. on Octo- Many of the members were at thej meeting in Chicago on the question of an additional wage reduction, which precipitated the strike order, but all had left that city before the decision to or- lder a strike was an: 2 Robert S. Binkerd, assistant to the president of the association, said a statement probably would be issued after the mreeting. He declined to dis- cuss the situation in advance of the meeting. Ready te Fight Strike. Necessary steps to coutinue public service In -any ‘emergency Will be tsken by the Southern Paclfic lines. according to a telegram sent to the New York Herald today from New , Conn., by Julius Kruttschnitt, tive commit. tee: The tetegram follows: “The three presidents of the Southern Pa- cific lines charged with their opera- tion may be relled on to take all n steps to continue .public service in any -emergency that may e. The labor leaders have raised a sharp issue, whether a small minority or the mass of the Anterjcaréipeople shall govern our country and make its laws® Raflroad officers understand the nature of thelr obligations to the public and the soomer all organized and unorganized employes also recog- nize the-public nature of their service the scomer we shall have industrial peace. (Continued from First Page.) of the mituation.” Mr. Kuhrsen said “Until it is proved inadequate, W don’t want to act in defiance. have many grievances in which we think the roads have disobeyed the law. but until forced to it, we will not act. ‘The others, mo ‘doubt, hav: full justification for their action, but we will not go with them at this time.” “The Toledo convention of the American Federation of Railroad Workers, an organization claiming 50,000 members, will decide the strike question for that body when the con- vention opens tomorrow. At head- quarters here, it was said, no strike vote had been taken. Under the by- Jaws. the convention has full power to act. WALKOUT STILL OPPOSED. { Leaders of Eleven Other Organiza- tions Still Unconvinced. By the Awsociated Prews. CHICAGO, October 17.-—While heads of the big four brotherhoods and of {the switchmen’s union prepared to ‘meet In Cleveland tomorrow to com- plete plans for the rail strike which they have called for October 30, union chiefs today said that leaders of some of the eleven other railroad i labor crganizations still were oppos- ing a walkout and would attempt to keep the men from joining with the five organizations which have defi- ly committed themselves to a siri The “big five” numbers only 400,000 of the 2,000,000 railread cmployes. leaders will vesult in a break between the two groups will not be fully set- tled until the meeting of the gen- eral chairmen of the ‘eleven unions | here |suance of a formal strike call will ibe voted on formally. Several rail- {road labor chieftains today wald, how- over, that they belleved the majority would rule and that it would be a case of “majority strike, all strike.” | break. Informally Pledged Support. | Leaders of these eleven untons at a inecting last week informally pledged themselves to support -the brother- loods In @ strike and since then have been going ahead with their plans for a walkout, although defer- ring icsuance of the actual strike call. Hoads of several of the eleven or- | Other Rail Unions Hesitale To Join “Big Five” in Strike ‘mombership | ‘Whether the opposition of l]\es(\I some time this week, when is-| ‘They | professed to see little chance of a officials. In several cases in Canada different izations have announced that they otherhoods have obtained the ap- tment of boards of conciliation, h are now functioning. BETTER SERVICE TO YAP. Cable Arrangemeénts Aid Communi- jhead of the cation With Japan. way employes; Timothy aly, lead- Arrangements of a temporary char-ler of the stationary fireman; F. H. soter! designed to promote communi- | Fitzgerald, president of the Stenog- .fie7 facilities of the United States;raphers, Clerks and Freight Handlers’ : l;r"flr‘t:‘r;\l Gl;n;;l t‘ga;:tdelyl!l:l;d Union, and oth'fir- expressed the opin- . = at ual n Ing ci e ebistion 1t s et} o e S1e LAY OTRAK CORIE SYEEY Jrivni anneunced today. Toe Late to Step, Says Jewell. i: was emphasized that it was a wporary arrangement, made to im-| B. M. Jewell, head of the shop crafts, Irove communication between Japan|numbering 476,000. members, has vig- ind the United States during the lim- |orously opposed a strike on the wage ion of armament conferemce. On ceount of the break in the cable b tween Guam and Japan via the Bonin Tslands, communieation with Japan:imen could be held back. Mr. Jewell urtailed. &R fen Las beed ¢ BEaler o bave Rip ere more _conservative in {statements. E. J. Manion, president iof the Order of Raflway Telegraphers, in St. Louis last night denied the as- sertion of Thomas M. president, that it had been decided to call out the telegraphers, saying trat the question would not be settled un- til the meeting here. E. F. Grable, 1 order the walkout, while others their Pierson, vice 250,000 maintenance of question alone, but sald today that| he feared it was too late to stop a walkout and that he doubted if his LEADERS OF THE RAILROAD WORKERS WHO THREATEN A NATION-WIDE STRIKE. L. E. SHEPP] Raftread Prestdent, PROGRAM ALTERED FOR EAST WALKOUT Pennsylvania and Erie Re- moved From List to Strike First Day. By the Associated Press. CHICAGO, October 17.—An altera- tion In details of the plan announced for a progressive national strike of rallrogd employes, ordered to begin on October 30, gives the eastern states at least two days of grace before the proposed walkout would become ef- fective In that region. The Pennsyl- vania and the Erie roads, included originally in the first group on which the strike was ordered, were Te- moved from that list, thus excluding at the start all states east of Chicago and north of the Ohio river. These changes were said by union leaders to complete assignment of roads to the first group on which walkouts would take place, and the following was made known as the of- ficial list of carriers in that group: Kansas City Southern, Missouri Pa- cific, 8t. Louls Southwestern (Cotton Belt), International and Great North- ern, Texas and Paclfic, Southern Pa- cific (Atlantic system,including Hou: ton, east and west; Texas and Hous- ton, Pexas Central), Southern Pacifi (Racific system), San Diego and Ari zona, Chicago and Northwestern, Chi- cago, Milwaukee and St. Paul (except Chicago, Terre Haute and Southeast- ern), Northern Pacific, Southern rail- way (lines east and west), Seaboard Alr Line, Virginian railroad, Chicago tern, Chicago, Rock Island - Condusters. and_Paci While no official information was forthcoming as to what group ‘the Pennsylvania lines would be placed in, It was understood that they would be assigned to group 3. on which the walkouts are scheduled to start No- vember 5. All walkouts are sched- uled to begin at 6 a.m. standard time. The transfer of the Pennsyl¥ania lines from group 1 was unex by union leaders, but caused consid- erable surprise, as that road has been considered by the unions as thé most antagonistic of any to them. and it was believed that the first strike would be ordered on it. strike on the rules and workiug con- ditlons question together with the wage matter, but refused to say def- initely that he would try to hold back e We |his men, The differences over the advisa- {bility of a strike have arisen prima- jxily " through fallure of the brother- hoods and the other eleven to reach | a satisfactory agreement on the du- | ration of the strike. labor leaders | sald. One union president said that ! while he was certain the brotherhoods | would have the support of the others in the actual walkout, the heads of the eleven organisations were not pledged to stay out after their dif- ferences were settled, and might re- turn to work whenever they saw fit. Another official said that it was feared the brotherhoods might re- turn to work and leave the un- skilled workers “holding the bag.” Not Always in Harmony. The brotherhoods are not members | of the American Federation of Labor, while the shop crafts organizations are, and it is because of this faect that they have not always worked in complete harmony, aithough not actually opposing each other, accord- ing to union men. While these differences of opinion are being discussed informally among the union heads preliminary to the formal meeting this week, prepara- tions for a walkout are going ahead among all of the organizations. From the meeting in Cleveland tomorrow ) the organizations meeting here later | expect to have word as to just how far the brotherhoods would go In i standing by them through a strike 1if they joined in the proposed walk- out, and on this decision will rest the “attitude of shop crafts and similar I unions, it is believed. From the railroads assurances con- (tinued to come that a strike would |not tie up transportation, while in- [dustrial leaders of the middie west asserted that there was little danger lto the rest of the larger industries and virtually no chance of a serious food shortage, although the meat packing plants have very little sur- plus on hand and would have to close within three weeks after the start of an effective strike, according to their Rallroad Heads Meet. Heads of all the railroads entering Chicago met- today in their regular ‘weekly meeting and went over the {rall situation fully. ¢ The brotherhoods made known last |night that they had revised the list of roads to which the first of series Itho proposed progressive walkouts lwould start so as to exclude the Pennsylvania lines, the Erie railroad d the Louisville and Nashville. This leaves no eastern roads te be affected by the first walkout. ‘The walkouts are scheduled to take place in four groups, one every forty eight hours, starting at 6 a.m., stand- ard time, October 30. Cons » the east would not feel the strike until at least November 1. The roads to be included in the three other groups have not been de- ci@ed upon as yet, but probably will be at the Cleveland meeting, union ‘men said. The elimination of the Pennsylvania om the first group caused consi rable surprise, as it has had bitter controversies with its men, and it was belleved it would be the first.| voad affected by the strike. CAPTAIN AS INSTRUCTOR. Capt. Edwin H. Johnson, 12th In- 'fawtry, at Camp Meade, has been or- dered to Fort ird for duty as ‘instructor of infantry, Maryland N: tiopal Guasd, WARREN §. STONE, President, Locometive Engineers, freight rates of the reduction thorized last July in the wages of fzation to break his fall. rallroad employes was suggested last night by the public group of the Rallroad Labor Board as “one feasible plan by which the present contro- versy can be settled and a strike averted.” In a statement {ssued by Ben W. Hooper, a member of the group, who said it was drafted by the entire membership, this plan was said not only to possess potentialities for clearing up the situation, but for re- ducing the cost of living to con- sumers and exerting a stimulating effect upon business generally. Wages Would Stand. The railroads, under the proposed arrangement, would withdraw their request for further wage reduction until freight rate reductions have been completed, and “pending action by the board on such petition for| further reductions as the carriers may subsequently submit” the unions would withdraw their strike order. The statement follows: “Up until Friday there was but lit- tle, if any, danger of a railroad strike. This fact is well known to every man in close touch with the real situation. The railway workers would have brought down upon their heads universal condemnation for re- sisting by force a wage cut 80 mani- festly just and reasonable as that made in July. It may likewise be said that it remains to be seen whether the issuance of a strike order merely because a petition for a wage reduc- tion is about to be filed will be sus- tained by public opinion. “The Railroad Labor Board has functioned for more than -eighteen months, settling hundreds of con- troversies between carriersand their emploves, and its decisions, with but few exceptions. have been respected by both sides. There would have been a’ strike long ago if the two parties had undertaken to settle without in- tervention or supervision the mani- fold disputes they inherited from (he' ar period. There is absolutely noth ’ Immediate translation ing in_existing cenditions that ju: tifies the carriers and their employ. a! in inflicting the ruinous results of a strike on themselves and on the pub- ! lic. There is no amount of propa- ganda that can convince the people that ‘efther side is entirely blame-: “On the first day of July the Rail- road Labor Board made effective a decision which reduced the wages of railway employes 12 per cent, aggre- i ating about $400,000,000 per annum, 1 basing the estimate on the normal number of employe ce then. by a part of the work- ing rules of only cne class of em- ploves, the carriers have received fur- ther benefits, amounting to many mil- lone of dollars. Would Ask New Cut. H “Friday the carriers notified thel employes they would ask the labor! board for a further wage cut of 10! per cent. at the same time assuring | the public that the shippers and the people should have the benefit af this wage reduction in the form of reduced freight rates. “To this proposition the ‘emploves repiied that no general reduction of freight rates followed the $460,000,- 000 wage reduction of July 1: that the| cost of living has not been sufficient. Iy lowered since July 1 to justify an other wage reduction, and that they will strike without even awaiting a decision of the labor board as to whether another wage reduction Is just and reasonable. “This is the stage which the con- troversy has now reached. . “There is at least one feasible plan | I by which it can be settled and a strike averted. That plan 18 predicated upon an excellent suggestion made by Gen. Atterbury of the Pennsylvania rail road in his speech before the con- Vention of vehicle and implement manufacturers at Chicago last Friday. Cannot Keep Protection. ! suggestion is quoted as fol»i a revision of onl: ‘Nevertheless, it is a fact that thel carriers, through they are not earn-| ing what they must earn to entitle! them to be called prosperous, mor! | what the 1aw intends they shall earn. | It would be & wise Dolicy lorl the carriers publicly to avow that view and voluntarily reduce rates where they now work hardship, even though such rates may be reasonable in a transportation sense and even tliowgh to reduce them means a loss of revenue to the carriers. The car- riers tan do this of their own volition, { where it would be improper for the { Interstate Commerce Commission lo] do so. The result would be a temporar check in the rising fortune of the; carriers, and that they can ill afford,| but it would be = step in the restora- tion of sound business conditions, and , the public: should give to the carriers {a real @ppreciation of tieir act Weuld Otear Up Situation. “If the railroads will immediately, in good faith, adopt this suggestion of Gen. Atterbury, the situation can be cleared up, freight rates reduced | ! to shippers, the cost of living reduced ito the consumers and a stimulating I eftect exerted upon all business. “We would suggest that the wage | cut of July 1 be tramslated at once linto ‘@ Teduction of freight rntm[ | This would be much more tangible and satisfactory to the public than to promise that future wage reductions will be passed on to the people in the; form of reduced freight rates. The; public undoubtedly expected this Te- sult when the July wage reduction was made, and its sonsummation now, though somewhat @elayed, would be mratifying. That direct benefits would promptly follow and that the psychologioal effect would be instant- Iy beneficlal cannot e doubted. “Such reduction in ‘the cost ¥ liv- ing as might result from this and other causes woulldl inure to the bene- fit of the railway employes snd would constitute one of the Statutorygrounds for a further redustion in wal At the same time ft Woull have e ‘tem-; dency to reduce the cost of material Supplies to the carriers, and it would | not then be necessary for the carriers ' to rely solely upon wage cuts for a reduction of their operating expenses. “Deflation should be general and, nI w 11 far as possible, uniform. Up to this time the farmer is the only man that SRED 5 0 SPTERT z . G. LEE, President, Rallrond Trainmsen. LABOR BOARD URGES LOWER RATES TO CONFORM WITH CUT IN WAGES | into lower|with a thud. This was because he did |give a general rate re au- | not possess the parachute of organi-|yred by the July wage reduction and the benefits derived from President, ‘W. 8. CARTER, Firemen nd Enginemen. ing and ekill required, (5) the degree of responsibility, ed, stand as follow: “1. Let the propositions. carrier: the character and regularity of employment, (7) the inequalities of increases in wages or of treatment, the result of previous wage orders or adjustments. relevant circumstances’ ‘Other are also to “ondensing the foregoing sugges- into definite they immediately uction meas the ne “Another catastrophe of that SOt rules; and devised under the super- should be avolded if possible. and freight rates should come to a jul; and reasonable level uniformly or formative to the pub! factors the transportation act Labor Board to consider in fixing wages. They ure as follows: “(1) The scale of wages paid for similar kinds of work in other indus- tries, (2) the relation between wages and the cost of living, (3) the haz- ards of the employment quires the y alternating stages. . “Jt must be understood that there is no intention to sense, the duty of the Interstate Com- merece Commission in the premises. Wages vigion of Commission, to indicate, in_any g riers may 4) the train- the Interstate afford degree of relief to the public. “2. Let the request for further wage the reductions be withdrawn rate reductions have been completed. At such time as deem advisable, let them present to the Railroad Labor Board their peti tion for a further reduction in wages, based upon conditions then existing. Pending the working ovt of the rate reduction and the action of the Labor Board on such petition for a further wage reduction as the car- subsequently the strike order be withdrawn. Commerce greate: until the the carriers submit, let Volunteers to Man MORRISTCWN, N. J., 17. — The voli erated the “millionaires’ Wentern bringing commuters York during the 1920 ral wtrike, are ready aga if the “Millionaire Speciol’” Again in Case of Tie-Up October wealthy business men who op- for rvice. Their spokesman, Mur- ray Coggwhall, banker, said to- threatened SECRETARY DAVIS CALLED HERE BY THE PRESIDENT Summoned Back From Visit to In- diana Cities After Attend- ing Homecoming. INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. Secretary last night for Washington, been summoned there by Harding in connection threatened national railroad retary Davis has been vi President with October 17.— of Labor Davis left here having the strike. iting In- diana cities for the past week after ving attended a home-coming cele- bration town. cretary Davis comment on th aving the rding entailed 2 ke no statement situation til _he Washingt bers of th at Elwood, Ind., ould 1 threatened request labor board there, e ion on Strike. his regarding had returned to| nd conferred with mem- ASKS LEGION POLL. South Carolina Official Wants Opin- home no strik summons from President that he the | be abie to operate their lines GREENWOOD, S. C., October 17.— egraphed Morris C. commander, at that a poll of each post in the William Weleh, official of Greenwood Post, American Legjon. yesterday tel- Luropkin, Columbia requesting state Depart- ment of South Carolina be taken to determine the department on u zeneral railroad stri opinion STRIKE WILL CLOSE BlE; PACKING PLANT Small Factories to Suffer, But Large Industries Can Withstand Tie-Up. By_the Assoclated Press, CHICAGO, October 17.—A railroad strike would have little effect on the average large industry of the middle west, but would result in closing down all of the packing plants with- in three weeks and “undoubtelly would force many small factories to close, representatives of some of the chief industries of this region seid. Tentative plans werc being drawn up through which, it was wald, Chi- cago and the larger cities could be kept supplied with most food coi modities, although it was that meat supplies would run short quickly, the packers asserting that their stocks on hand are smaller than in many years. Approximately 75,000 men would be thrown out of work through closing of the big five dacking plants, of- ficials sald, although fn normal times= the number would have been much larger. Despite the insistence of union of- ficials that the strike would par- alyze the transportation system o the country, railroad officials stead- fastly maintained that they would A ma jority of them. in statements, seemed inclined to believe that a strike would not actually be put into effect. Several took the attitude that & strike would be @ strike against the gov:rnmenl and not against the réil- roads. NEW YORK, October 17.—"Tt Yooks to me as though there is going to be a strike,” W. H. Truesdale, president of the Delaware, t possible for it to be carried out o1 such a Jarge scal L. F. Loree, president of the Dels ware and Hudson, said: “It seems me like a quarrel between the United States Labor Board and the employes T think the roads will keep right on runnin Theres lasting satisfaction in owning a Victrola Victor Talking Machine Cov., Camden,N.J. [ L I g0 t FHVED mmmwmul[llllilmmmmmmm | i il Because RS0 USPAT.OPP ‘This_trademark and the trademaried word "Victrola” identify all our products. Look under the lid! on the label! VICTOR TALKING MACHIRE CO. Camden, N. Ju Victor records; the Victrola is specially made to play the greatest artists make their Victor records to play on Victrola instru- ments: you hear these artists exactly as they expected you to hear them—they themselves tested and approved their own records on the Victrola. Victrolas $25 to $1500. New Victor Records on sale at all dealers in Victor products on the 1st of eac’ month.