New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-30
FOR RAILROAD MEN.
how PENNSYL TANIA CON.
PANY BENEFITS EMPLOYEES.
RECENT INCREASE OF WAGES PEN
SIONS FOR THE GED-PRONISIONS
FOR AIDING THE SICK

certain number Of aldermen delaying
the granting of a franchise for the Pennsylvania
Railroads tunnel into this city. ostensibly in the
cause Of labor These few men have thus far
succeeded in spite Of the protests of the Cham
her Of Commerce. the Merchants Association,
the Rapid Transit Commission and other repre-
sentative citizens OF the metropolis. in blocking
a 100000 enterprise, with the argument that
the company should not have the franchise ex-
cept on the condition that il pay the prevailing
rate Of wages and conform 10 eight hour
Law.
The Pennsylvania officials he other hand.
have refused 10 be bound 10y such a stipulation.
They say first of all that it is unconstitutional
and were it not Illegal the road treats its
men TOO literally and fairly 10 need to be bound
by any such conditions. Things indeed. came
TO such a crisis at the hearing last Wednesday
before the committee on railroads of the Board
Of Aldermen that official OF the railroad
threatened that II the franchise was held up
much longer the company would utterly aban-
don the enterprise sell the real estate it had
bought ana not attempt to ind terminal in
this city at al.
An evidence Of the liberal management Of the
PENNSYLVANIA with reference 10 its employees, Of
which the general public recently made
aware is the announcement that the road had
raised its scale Of wages for all men earning
less than $500 a month 10 the extent Of 10 per
cent This action was taken voluntarily, for
the reason as President Cassatt said at the
time. that the railroad company was prosper
ing ard that ,he employees should share in that
prosperity Accordingly the payroll of the road
was increased S3.915, 29S. This policy of the
PENNSYLVANIA has been followed by almost all Of
the other big roads, so that in the last few
weeks. and even at the same time that the tun-
mel franchise has been delayed, the annual in
come Of the workingmen Of this country has
been increased $40 69S G9l
But an examination of the inner management
Of the Pennsylvania Railroad gives even more
striking proof of the care and considera ton
with which it uniformly treats It's men. 1t fur
tbermore reveals the secret of the roads eX-
emption from boycotts, lockouts and strikes for
there has not been labor disturbance on this
railroad for years. For example. the manage
ment not only has a system of pensioning those
who have reached old age in its service, but it
insures its men in case Of death so that their
families shall not be left destitute; it continues
their wages in part when Ill, so they need not
return 10 work burdened with debt; and it also
provides opportunities for the investment OF
savings. so that an employe may become indie
pendent, if he so desires, through his own thrift
Besides thus offering opportunities for the finan-
cial and physical betterment Of its men, the
Pennsylvania also is solicitOus 10 their moral
ana social life and maintains system Of read
ing and club rooms, which conducted under
the auspices of the Young Mems Christian AS
sociatiOn.
The department which is devoted TO the work
Of caring for those who have grown old in
faithful service and are no longer physically
ut TO continue at their former posts, has charge