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Sunday, August 4, 2019

Railroad Men From Repair Shops in New Bern, Spencer Out on Strike Protesting High Cost of Living, Aug. 4, 1919

From The Daily Times, Wilson, N.C., Aug. 4, 1919

150 Out at New Bern

New Bern, Aug. 4—The 150 shop men employed in the shops of the Norfolk-Southern Railroad here went on strike today.

All Out at Spencer

Salisbury, Aug. 4—1,500 shopmen, including every craft of the Southern Railroad at Spencer, walked out this morning, leaving only foremen and master mechanics to hold down the job. Spencer is the biggest repair shop on the Southern Railroad.

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Shopmen Hold Meetings

Raleigh, Aug. 3—The striking shipment of the Seaboard Air Line and Norfolk-Southern Railways held two meetings yesterday, appointed an advisory committee to assist President J.F. McMahon and Secretary E.T. Kerachner. In addition, the railroad men heard addresses from State Treasurer B.R. Lacy, a firm labor friend; Major W.F. Moody, president of Central Labor Union, and Mr. D.L. Goble, representing the International Brother of Electrical Workers, a central figure in the Badin situation.
During the day the local labor men received reports from other points where working men have joined the movement of the heads of the brotherhood offices in the independent endeavor to put an end to the seven months’ delay on the part of the Railway Administration in granting the demanded increase in wages. Absence of news from Spencer concerned the leaders here.

Until the situation clears up, two meetings each day will be held at 10 o’clock each morning and the other at 5 o’clock each afternoon. The meetings yesterday were well attended, and the men apparently were determined to stick out until the adjustment, satisfactory to themselves, is secured.

The advisory committee selected yesterday is composed of McMahon, of the machinists, chairman; Bynum from the machinists; Collins from the blacksmiths; Chandler from the pipe fitters; Hamilton from the carmen; Kerschner from the painters; Holmes from the electricians. In addition, Ernest Martin was designated press committeeman and will deal with all newspaper men seeking information.

Modifying the complete tie up here, the union men decreed that the coal chute and tank men return to their jobs. Their absence would have prevented the coaling and watering of engines. Besides them, only the foremen were on the job yesterday.


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Prominent Railroad Man Here

Mr. Ed. Wootten, Superintendent of the Savannah division of the Atlantic Coast Line was in the city yesterday with his wife and two charming daughters on a visit to his mother, Mrs. W.P. Wootten and brother, Mr. Charles Wootten. Mr. Wootten was unable to say how long the strike would last or how far it would extend. He expressed the opinion that unless it was settled very soon that the railroad would of necessity continue to reduce their rolling equipment as it became unfit for active use on the road, and this of course might bring about an embargo of heavy and what is known as slow moving freight in favor of the passenger, mail and Express service that would have to be kept on the go. He said that it was very important to have all rolling stock looked over at the end of a run and it was evident that the situation could not last very long in its present shape without greatly embarrassing the roads. He hoped for an early settlement of the matter, since the railroad administration at Washington has been constantly at work over the differences between labor and the administration for some time.

Discussing the high cost of living he also expressed a desire that the government would quickly bring relief to both the laboring and the salaried man for all were in the same boat.


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Government Is Selling Food at Reduction of About 50 Percent of Present Prices. . . See Your Postmaster

Washington, Aug. 3—Definite steps toward reducing the high cost of living are expected this week.

While all government departs are working toward the end of alleviating unrest by restoring a normal level of prices, interest centers in the meeting Tuesday of the conference called by Attorney General Palmer to consider the best method of procedure, especially with respect to profiteering.
….
Consideration of a plan to seel wheat in a free market, the government absorbing the difference between the market price and the guaranteed price, is believed certain.

There are indications that the Attorney-General is paying especial attention to cases of profiteering. ….

While there is no law by which profiteering may be punished directly, Mr. Palmer has said that there is a great deal of “good law” on the statute books, and it is believed he will find a way to punish any cases where there are evidences of extortion.

…. Several officials have expressed sympathy with the salaried man who lacks the backing of a powerful organization.

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