Evening journal., 1902-11-14

Philadelphia. Nov. 14.-From point
to point over tho 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 1st of the present month. The
word was sent out from President Cas-
salts Office, and in a remarkably short
space OF time every division superin-
tendent had been notified. This in
crease affects the employees east Of
Pittsburg ard Erie only.
The determination to increase salar-
les all around was arrived at during
the meeting OF the board Of directors
on Wednesday. 1t 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 all
employees who receive a salary of $500
per month or less will be the recipient
of 10 per cent. increase, to date from
November l.
IL is estimated that the PeHnsylva-
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 98 per cent. of these
are affected by the increase. Under
normal circumstances only $4,000 men
would be employed, but the tremendous
increase in freight traffic has necessi-
tated the employment Of at least $1,000
more.
The cost Of this increase in wages to
the Pennsylvania Railroad viii be tre-
mendous. Estimating that the average
rate of wages paid per month is $50 per
man-and this is a mild estimate-the
additional payroll charge per month
would be $354,O0O, or about s4,25O, ,OOO
per year.
First Vice President Pugh, in
speaking Of the increase in wages, said
the advance was due to the increased
i business of the company and also to
e 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 for 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 what 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-
sideration 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.
The notice was posted in French street
station yesterday afternoon announcing
an increase of pay Of 10 per cent
The notice bore the signature Of Super
ntendent W. n Barnard and was re-
,eived with glad surprise by the local en-
ployes. It came as a surprise because
nothing had been intimated in this direc-
s ion.
The increase IS considered a good one
s may readily be seen from the fact that
passenger conductors who now receive
100 TO SIPS n month, will receive under
he new wage scale from $ll0 TO Sl3l.5l
,cr month The salary Of enginemen ano
reight conductors, which runs about the
Aame. win be raised accordingly. Des-
,atchers who now receive sos per month
viii receive $116.50. Operators receivinl
z 70 viii receive $7y.