The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-11-18
PENNSY RAISES W3CEl
Ten Per Cent. Increase For En-
ployes East Of Pittsburg.
AFFECTS OVER $4,000 woRKMgN
According to Notice Of Railroad Com
pany, New Wage Scale Is In Effect
From November t-Readinq Road

pany, New Wage Scale Is In Effect
From November t-Readlng Road
Indicates An Increase Of Salaries.
Philadelphia Nov. i4.-From point
70 point over the telegraph lines of the
Pennsylvania Railroad yesterday was
flashed the joyful news that over $4,000
employees would receive an increase OF
10 per cent. in their salary. dating
from the lst OF the present month. The
word was sent out from President Cas-
salts Office. and in n remarkably short
space OF time every division superin-
tendent had been notified. This in
crease Affects the employees east Of
Pittsburg ana Erie only.
The determination to increase salar-
.es all around was arrived az during
the meeting of the board of directors
on Wednesday. II was determined.
however. that official word should first
be sent to the employees yesterday be-
fore the action should be made public.
1t therefore followed that the first
inkling Of the Pennsylvania Railroads
generosity came from the men them
selves.
The Official notification states that al
employees who receive a salary OF 5000
per month or less viii be the recipient
Of 10 per cent increase. to date from
November I.
II is estimated that The Pennsylva-
MIA Railroad has in its employ on the
lines and in the Offices east Of Pittsburg
and Erie at the present time 10000
men. and at least IS per cent. Of these
are affected by tho increase. Under
normal circumstances only $4,000 men
would be employed. but the tremendous
increase in froight traffic has necessi-
tated the employment OF at least 1000
more
The cost Of this increase in WAGES TO
the Pennsylvania Railroad will be tire
mendous Estimating that tho average
rate Of wages paid per month is 500 per
man-and this is a mild estimate-the
additional payroll charge per month
would b. s35Aoo0 or about si250. 900
per year.
First Vice President Pugh. IN
speaking OF the increase in wages. said
the advance was due to the increased
business OF tho company and also to
the fact that living is at present more
expensive than heretofore. He also
said that many OF the employees OF the
company had not had their WAGES ad-
justed Tor some time. and as they had
worked faithfully for the interests Of
the company it was considered only
Just that they should receive some sub
stantial recognition OF their services.
Reading VIII Meet Increase.
When asked whot the Reading Rail-
way Company proposed TO do about an
increase Of wages for their employees.
Vice President Theodore VOORHEES, said
the wages would be adjusted TO the
current rates in this territory. The
matter, he said, has been under con-
siceration for some time. and a formal
announcement would shortly be made.
The Philadelphia and Reading Rail-
way Company employs about $4,000
men who would be affected by an in
crease on lines similar to that announc-
ed by the Pennsylvania Railroad. The
Reading Company also operates the
Central Railroad of New Jersey. which
employs about 10000 men. who would
likely share in any increase announced
by the Reading Company.