Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-03-10

The agents of the Philadelphia and
Reading Railroad Company, since that
corporation has assumed control of the
Lehigh Valley and New Jersey Central
roads, have been quietly at work investi-
eating as to when it will judicious and
safe to reduce the force of workmen OF
lower wages, says the Nanticoke Ne1s.
President Mcleod, the executive head
of the Philadelphia and Reading Com
pany, strongly believes in retrenchment
and economy in all departments of the
railroad and mining business, and the
compensation of all hands will be sliced
down to the lowest point possible. 1t is
notorious fact that the Philadelphia
and Reading Company pays its employees
lower wages than any other corporation
of equal prominence in the United
States.
1t is conceded fact that at all times
the miners working for the Philadelphia
and Reading Coal and Iron Company,
which is an offspring of the railroad cor
poration, have received wages that have
been of starvation character.
The object now is to run down the
rate of pay of all classes of help to the
smallest possible figure, and, if the men
enter protest, they are to be dismissed
company, it is learned, is fully prepared
to meet the issue, and already have
hundreds of applicants enrolled upon
their books to take the positions of the
dismissed men.
Previously, when the Philadelphia
and Reading Company controlled the
Central Railroad of New Jersey by
lease, much discomfort prevailed among
the employees of the latter corporation.
Now, that the Central road has again
come under the control of the former
company, the men have began to mur-
mur and grumbIe, as it is fully believed
that their pay will be reduced and many
removals made. In fact, some discharges
have been made, within recent period,
and number of others are likely to
occur shortly.
The members of the several railroad
mems unions, notably the Brotherhood
of Locomotives Engineers, the Brother
hood of Railroad Firemen, the Train
mems Union and the Conductors Asso-
citation, have unan mously declared to
contest any interference with their
rights.
The hands employed upon all the
r)ads appear to be unit in their opposi-
ton to any attempt that may be made
toward general dismissals and a reduc-
ton in compensation, the men very
senslbly claiming that the wages paid
now afford them bare existence, and
any further decrease will place them in
beggarly state.
While not being alarmists, there are
those who are supposed to be thoroughly
well posted upon the subject, that say
any general cutting down of wages will
terminate in an open rebellion upon the
part of the murmuring and dissatisfied
railroad men and mine workers. Fully
100000 men are anXiously watching the
movements of the executive head of the
Philadelphia and Reading Company and
his leading spirits.
Employees of tn Central road, who
have been interviewed, have said that
the train men will unitedly and resou.
tely resist any movement that may be
undertaken in the direction of slicing
down wages. Meetings to take action
upon the matter have been held at
different places, and the scheme looking
to a reduction of compensation was
vigorously denounced. The disposition
of the railroaders is very bitter against
a lowering of wages, and trouble is sure
to happen if smaller pay is offered to the
men who have held responsible positions
for lengthy period.