The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-09-04
FREIGHT AND WAGES.
Points For Workingmen to Con-
slider.
The Reduction OF Freight Rates Has
Direct Influence on Lower
ing Wages.

from the Sacramento Bee, September Sd.
To the Editor Of the Bee-SIR: Last
week I received communication from
your city signed by some half-dozen
workmen. who stated they were railroad
employees, asking if l would inform
them as to whether Railroad Commits
sioner LaRue's resolutions reducing
freight rates 90 per cent. carried with 1t
similar reductionin their wages.
/ went to the Railroad Commissioners
Office when the Commissioners were IN
session last Wednesday, and asked Mr..
LaRue if his 20 per cent. reduction car
ried with il a 90 per cent reduction in the
wages OF the employees. He promptly
answered that the commission had moth
ing to do with wages. mailed his reply
to my correspondents. adding that they
should put themselves in communication
with the Railroad Commissioners, when
they no doubt would get q friendly hear
ing. Now, Mr.. Editor. word or two TO
the railroad employees OF your city and
those depending on them for living.
Mr.. LaRue has introduced resolution,
and that resolution is now pending be-
fore the commission OF which he is Chair
man. 10 reduce freight rates ~ per cent.
If that resolution carries L am satisfied
that il means cut in the wages OF the
men who operate the road-in other
words, the payroll. The freight upon an
article don't regulate its market price,
bat the schedule of wages paid regulates
the charges for freight. This IL truGh
that Mr.. LsRue must face, and to bring it
30 his and the attention OF the commits
sion, L would suggest that mass meet
ing be called by the railroad employees
nd f-ia I.aR
and the other gentlemen OF the commits
sion be invited 10 attend such meeting
ana present their side OF The case. In my
humble way l will present the working
mems side, and | AIN willing to leave 1t
to decision Of the audience as TO whether
the commission can TX freight rale
without consulting the payroll. Ia other
words, the commission cannot fix rate
without bRSing it on the wages paid TO
labor.
There is principle at stake here. An
attempt is about TO be made 10 use the
power OF the State to cut down wages
that is To say, not recognize wages. l
shall enter my most solemn protest now.
as have in the past, against il; but l
need assistance. / must have the back
ing and support of the workingmen who
are directly interested. Ii that backing
materializes, the Stale will recognize that
railroad workingmen have rights, and
their wages Will be considered as the
commission is disposed to be just and
lair.
a year or so ago you workingmen
struck, not because you were dissatisfied
with the wages paid you, but because
somebody, many thousands of miles
away, told you TO do so. The State Board
of Railroad Commissioners are now in
session, discussing the wages you are now
receiving aud viii receive in the future
i,n FNy,1 aicuiC
own city favors reducing your wages,
not Intentionally, but by refusing to rec
ognize wages in fixing his schedule of
freight rates.
My services are at your disposal at any
time. The sooner. though, that you call
your meeting the better, as il will be nee
essary 10 send q delegation down here
with petition to the commission.
DENIS kEARNEY.
62S5 Harrison street, San Francisco.