New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-07-28

SOME COMPENSATION ron shALL UAGES'
Besides the hardships which employees of rail-
roads are called upon to endure, III common
with every other class, III consequence Oh the
universal business depression, 1t Is possible
that they suffer some special injustice from ex-
troyagance and acknowledgement on the part OF
railroad presidents and directors No paper
has been more unsparng in its censure OF
corporate maladministration than The IRIB-
TINE. and no paper will do more IN the
future to throw light upon such abuses ana
bring them TO the notice OF stockholders anu
the public. OF course, no amount % injustice
on the part of railroad magnatcs would palllate
the sayagery which desOlated PltisDlIrg, ana
no oppression by combined capital would JUS
tify strikers in a league to Cypress with sui
greater cruelty the mass of unemployed labor
in the country. And yet, whenever the COM
panies are found gully of any tgrannous ex-
actions, the same swift condemnation VIII be
visited upon them which has fallen 50 heavily
npon their turbu mt assailantS.
II is to be noted, on tho other hand. that III
some cases where there has been plausible
COMPLAINT of low wages, there are elements OF
comYensation outside of the amount OF money
actually received per day. An apprentice may
be poorly paid. but lie Is learning tade
which will command better wages hereafter.
Wh.re there Is assurance of constant employ
mc,t now and of steady promotion in the
fut.,re. this wcll-grounded hope is substan-
tiql addition = the bare money secured. InlS
scheme Of regular advancement from one grade
OF service % another, with larger responsibility
and increased pay, has been adopted on all
tt3 est-condu,.cd roads. Mr.. Barker, the
peTiutendent of the NewTOrl Division OF
the PENNSYLVANIA Road, to whose discretion
the existing order on that line is 50 largely
due. began by handling packages IN freight
Office. auG has earned hi, present position by
proving his capacity at every stage IN long
series OF promotions. All the men under his
control are stimulated by the same IN
coatiyc. Eaxh man has come 10 the
place nc holds from one below him. and there
is one above him winch it j. il his power to
reach. The passenger crews are recruited from
the men on the freight trains. There are four
grades of engine rs who are paid according to
their efficiency and their years Of service, and
the lowest grade is recruited from the oldest
fremen; and the same principle, with modlhca-
tions adapted to various forms OF duty, is
carried pliI Ia Ilit bIHdNiItilpli ~ tii' 'i''i'
force. In dis way men who nave been longest
in the service and men WAC manifest peculiar
aptitude are rewarded for consistency and
mc.it. and those Who count it a grievance
llat they receive the smallest pay are re-
minded tnat they alc receiving As well tut
ton; shat there is way open to increased
wages, and that promotion Is certain II 1t Is
deserved.
All Ibis is additional proof that the ques-
ton OF wagcs viii not adjust itself without
recognition Of the .act that it i, 4 many-sided
question The present condition Of the Amerl-
car lauogcr Is none too luxurious. but he ought
10 think Il great while before he cnlISts for
the war against property. He ought to con
slider, at least that these elements of certain
pay, steady employment, and a prospect of
promotion have real material value, which
must in many cases be added to the amount
Of money which he receives, il he would csJi-
mate piopolly tie sum total of his wages.