The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-10-12
WORTHY OF HIS HIRE.
THE LABORER MUST BE PAID FOR
HIS TOLL.
Judge Woolson Refuses to Allow tho
Recover of the Wabash Road to
Reduce Wages in Ordor to
Increase Profits.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia, Oct. lin the
United States circuit court this morn
ing, Judge Woolson handed down de-
cision in regard to the petition last May
by the receiver, ]. K. Barnard, asking
for permission to reduce the wages OF
(Wabash) railway, in accordance with
q schedule drawn up by him. The en-
ployees whose wages were to be affected
filed protest and l.. W. RoBe was APP
pointed master in chancery to hear evil
dence on both sides and render an
opinion or the facts involved. He heard
the evidence last summer, and recon
mended that the schedule proposed by
the receiver be concurred in. Evidence
was heard by Judge Woolson at the term
just closed. In this decision. read just
before the noon adjournment, he recltes
the doctrine laid down in the recent de-
cission of Judge Caldwell that the en-
ployees must be paid fair wages, even
though no dividends may be paid, and
holds that this rule must govern, al
ways keeping in mind the general rule
that court must turn the road cut of
the hands of the receivers just IS soon
as such thing can be safely done.
A comparison between the wages paid
on the Omaha and St. Louis and those
on other roads running through the
game kind of country follows, the result
of which is to show that the former are
not in excess of the latter. except in two
branches of the service. The court then
says in substance:
"The receiver ahows that large num-
bers of railroad men are out OF employ
ment so that the plscsa could be filled
for less money. The court cannot regard
this as having much weight. The re-
tention OF faithful, intelligent and ca
pable employees ia of more Importance
than 8 temporary decrease in earnings,
and the court would not be justified in
discharging such employees because of
the present ability to employ others at
lower wages. thus, perhaps, rendering
the road liable to accidents for which
the court would be legally and morally
responsible. II the wages are no greater
than on other roads running through
the same country, the reasons for reduc-
ton should indeed be weighty. The
evidence shows that some employees are
hardly able to maintain their families
on the present wages. The highest and
best service cannot be expected from
men compelled to live in state Of pinch
and want.
1.-The receiver has administered his
trust with ability and economy, but the
court cannot concur in the reduction he
proposes. The facts, ga found by the
master in chancery. are fully warranted
by the evidence, but a decision must be
governed by the principles Of law above
laid down.
ut Ia conceded by the employees that
the rates of local freight enginemen and
trainmen on this road are greater than
on other lines with which comparison
has been made, and their wages should
accordingly be reduced. The proposed
reduction, however, 10 not proper one.
The receiver suggests that the wages of
local freight enginemen be reduced from
5 cents to 4 cents per mile. and those of
local firemsn be reduced from 2 7-10 per
mile to "a cents. The court orders
that the reduction be on engineers to
Az cents per mile and on fremen to
2 4-10 cents per mile.
"The petition of the receiver will be
overruled, excepting as TO those two par
tirularp },