The record-union., 1895-10-21
Of Railroad Rates a Menace
to All Wage-EarnerS.
Natural Result Of the Action Of the
Railroad Commission.
How II Would Affect All Glasses On the
COast---The Commission PetitiOned
to ReSeind Its Order.

There was good attendance of me-
chanics and laborers at the meeting held
ut Armory Hall on Saturday night to pro-
test against the action of the Railroad
Commission in declaring % per cent.
reduction In freight rstea, on the ground
that such reduction Is not demanded, that
it is unfair and unjust to the trsnsporta-
ton companies, and if carried into effect
is likely to result in the reduction of
wages of all branches of labor through
out the State.
While the attendance was large, num-
bering from 500 to 1000 persons. it would
have been much greater but for the fact
that just as the men were Assem- bling at
the hall q general alarm of fire was
sounded for the eastern portion Of the
city, where many workingmen's homes
are situated. AS the bells continued to
clanR and the fire whistle to blow, hum
dreds of those who were at the hall wait
ing for the meeting to open left to look
after their property, fearing that great
fire was in progress.
The meeting was a representative ole.
The audience was composed Of men en-
gagged in all branches OF labor, those from
the Southern Pacific shops and freight
department predominating, naturally
enough. as they would be the first to feel
the direct results Of the proposed reduc-
ton of rates.
The subject at issue Ia evidently re-
garded with deep interest by the wage
earners. and that they are of one mind as
to the ultimate results that must follow
the action of the Railroad Commissioners
was evident from the fact that there was
not dissenting voice from the word and
spirit OF the resolutions condemning the
Commissioners. The speakers were
warmly applauded, and at the close of the
meeting every man in the hall arose and
joined Enthusiastically in the cheers that
were given for the resolutions.
The meeting WAS called to order by W.
a. Gilbert. a wheelwright in the employ
of the firm of Waterhouse & Lester, and
Charles Day of the paint department Of
the railroad shops was chosen Secretary.
On motion OF A. j. Gardiner, COM
mittee of four on resolutions was ap-
pointed by the Chair. consisting of c. f.
German. w. 7. Mailer, w. II. Davis and
George II. Smith.
NH. GILBERT's REMARKS.
Chairman Gilbert said they were as
sem bled in the name of skilled and un-
skilled labor to protest against the action
the Railroad Commissioners had taken
against the interests and wages OF labor.
The Railroad Commissioners had de-
cided that they would cause to be made
% per cent. reduction in the transporta-
tion rates OF the railroad company.
This, he was satisfied from the expert
snce of the past, would result in oorre-
spending decrease in the wages of the
company's employees. No corporation,
firm or individuals should be denied a
fair rate for services rendered, and if that
right were denied them, they would be
forced to lower the rate OF wages OF their
employees as the only means OF protecting
themselves from loss.
The action OF the Commissioners in
making an arbitrary horizontal reduc-
ton Of transportation rates must neces-
sarily result in cutting the wages not
only of the railroad mployes but of every
man in the State VINO works for wages
The result, as regards lab rers other than
railroad employees, would not be apparent
so soon, but IL must come in time.
Under such circumstances he thought
it eminently proper that the employees
of the Southern Pacific Company should
be the ones to inaugurstea protest against
the action of the Commissioners. As far
/
bis wages would Ice much affected, but
man should not live for himself alone
that would be a poor way Of existing-but
should be ready to aid in the welfare OF
others.
he had met the manager OF one Of the
largest corporations in this city q lew
days ago-one that ships goods by the
carload and also ships around by the
Isthmus-and asked him if, in case the
reduction went into effect, he could sell
his goods for less. The reply was, mot
q particle less"
If the farmer could get his goods from
the East any cheaper l would say all
right" said the speaker, ''bus such is
not The case, and he has more to lose than
to gain by it in the end.
'Suppose, for instance" said Mr.. Gill
bert, the company has TO cut down its
carpenters wages to 81 for nine hours
work, while contractors are paying So.
how long would it be before the contractor
would say that he could not afford to pay
So. when he could get men from the rail
road shops for 81. If the carpenters re-
fused to work for that amount. how long
would ii be, in these times. before their
places were supplied with men who
would work for 1t, and whore would
those so refusing be able TO find work at
the old figures? They would have to
work for the same wages as the company
paid, if the latter is forced by the Conn
missioners to cut down the wages of its
employees. 1t would be just SO in any
other business"
There was another point he had thought
of tor several days. One might say that
carriages could be shipped here cheaper.
He felt like saying to those who wanted
factories here: Get your carriages made
here at home. and set more men TO work.
Would the mem bers of the Chamber OF
Commerce get their Studebaker wagons
and carriages any cheaper for the reduc-
ton in freights? No, but they buy at the
East all the same.