The Portland daily press., 1893-08-19
A CUT OF TEN PER CENT.
Many Long Faces on the Maine Central
System Yesterday-A1I Salaries Were Re-
duced on Account of the Hard Times
Trains Being Cancelled Daily.


duced on Account of the Hard Times
Trains Being Cancelled Daily.
There were many long faces among the
employees of the Maine Central railroad
yesterday on account of the promulga-
ton of an order cutting the salaries OF
all employees ten per cent. There are
about thirty-seven hundred men en-
ployed on the whole system, and this Or
der affects all from the highest to the
lowest. 1t is understood that
General Manager Tucker, whose salary
is 81, 900, and President Sewall, who also
has a large salary, stand the same re-
duction as the Others.
Neither Mr.. Tucker nor Mr.. SewaE
were at the Offices of the company yes
terday. so it was impossible to learn
whether or not they attributed the
cause to the return of good old Demo-
cratic times In their absence the other
officials of the company refused to be in
terviewed. But it seems evident from
what could be gathered that the road is
not in any financial difficulties at all. Its
quarterly dividend of one and quarter
per cent will probably be paid as usual
and whatever plans of improvement there
may have been for the property will
only be deferred. Neither is the cut oc-
casioned by any losses that the company
has as yet made. 1t was understood that
up to the first of June the balance
sheets of the company showed business
even superior to that of last year at that
time. But it is thought by those in post
ton to know something about it, that
the last two months have shown such
surprising falling off in business that the
management have found that they must
take in sail. They began several weeks
ago by the cancellation of several impor-
tant trains, and now have found it neces-
sary to cutail still more. 1t is rumored,
moreover, that the summer time table,
which is arranged to accommodate sum-
mer travel, and usually lasts until the
middle of October, will be taken off by
the last Of August of this year, In order
to make room for the more economical
winter time arrangements. The steamer
Frank Jones will also drop one trip
week beginning September 10th, there
after running only two instead of three
trips a week between Rockland and
Machiasport. 1t is thought that by the
first of September the road will be run
ming nearly fifty trains less day than
at the corresponding time last year.
The significance of these retrenchments.
is that the State of Maine is beginning to
feel the hard times. In the first place, as
regards the passenger service, the bust
ness has slumped away to surprising
extent. The hard times have kept many
away, and the fair has taken many more;
so it has happened that the crowds that
have been in the habit of coming to Maine
are not coming this year. They will be
back again another year probably, but
that does not help this years service In
the second place and more important
than all, the hard times have begun to
hit in Maine. The freight business of
the Maine Central consists largely of the
products of, and supplies which it hauls
to and from the little and great indus
tries scatterd all along the line. Like
every we'll managed road, it has labored
to encourage factories to come in where
ever possible, and they in turn have
swelled the freight receipts. These fac
tories are now beginning to feel the
stress, and are shutting down or are
running shorter time until the furry is
over. Four freight trains were taken off
Thursday, and more will probably fol-
low.
On and after Monday, August 21st,
trains No. 26 and 33, between Waterville
and Portland, and trains No. IS and 46,
between Mattawamkeag and Vanceboro,
will be cancelled Train No. 26 of Sunday
night, August goth, Waterville to Port
land, will be cancelled. Train No.21 will
do local work between Portland and
Waterville.
The last time the Maine Central re-
duced wages was about ten years ago,
when cut of five per cent was made
This was restored generally as soon as the
necessity was over.
There was very little complaint among
the employees yesterday, over the an
nouncement, although it, evidently had
come entirely unexpectedly.
A Talk With President Sewall.
Especial to the Press.]
Bath, August 1s.-President Sewall
was seen by PRESS correspondent after
his return from Portland, this evening.
He said the change was necessary to
meet the falling of. of business by reduc-
ing expenses. Every one from the presi-
dent to the gateman was included in the
change. There was no exception, the
highest and the lowest being served
alike. The companysswas obliged to either
do tnat OF discharge some of the men.
The necessity for retrenchment was seen
as early as last June. The whole country
is under business suspension, but we will
20 through it and come out all right.
Mr. SeWall said the business of the
road was on sound basis. The change
was entirely due to the money stringen-
cy for which Congress must find a rem
o1r