The Topeka state journal., 1904-05-23
RAILROAD NEWS.
New Wage Schedule for Machin-
lists Is Proposed.
Pay to Depend on Ability to
Handle Machines.
MEN NOT PLEASED.
J. d. Buckalew Says II Will
Cause Loss in Wages.
Santa Fe Charged With Fight
on All Unions.
EN- NOT PLEASED.

Santa Fe machinists now claim that
the reason for their strike is the order
promulgated by Supt. Lowell to all
mechanical superintendents and mas
ter mechanics This order, it IS
claimed. would tend to reduce wages
very materially throughout the me-
chanical department, which has here
tofore been one of the best paid de-
partments in railroad shop work.
The letter sent out by Supt. Lowell
"On Line, April %. 1904.
"All Mechanical Superintendents ana
Master Mechanics.
'It is desired that in the future the
rate of machinists shall be made i'll
accordance TO their relative value to
the company; that is to say, a first
class all-around machinist who is
capable of operating any class of ma
chine tools and also satisfactorily do
ing bench work. erecting and round
house work. shall be paid the full
rate that we have heretofore cOnSld-
cred the maximum rate for machin-
lists. If, however, he is only compe-
tent to operate certain machine tools,
even though he may be perfectly COM
petent on any one or a few particular
types of machine tools, but cannot
satisfactorily do all kinds of machine
work, he should be paid a rate in ac-
cOrdance with the character of the
tool or tools which he can successfully
q
which require the greatest skill will
be rated at about cents per hour
less than the maximum rate for an
all-arOund machinist provided the
operator is not an all-around man
and can be taken for such work as
occasions may require.
Operation of machine tools requir-
ing less skill viii be paid at lesser
rates according to the skill required.
1t is the desire that in the larger
shops machine tools will be operated
chiefly, not by all-arOund machinists.
but by men who are only capable of
operating their classes of tools re-
spectively. In order that we may have
the benefit of the lesser rate proposed.
except that few competent men for
use in emergency cases may be en-
ployed on tools requiring the greatest
skill at the maximum rate. When
necessary to have such men in reserve
in general. however, the higher class
tools should be operated by skilled
specialists at rates varying from >
cents to cents per hour less than
the maximum rate for all-arOund
men, Machine tools requiring but a
limited amount of skill such as wheel
lathes and borers. axle Iathes, bolt
lathes and turret lathes, etc, should
be operated by handy men or ma
chinists of still less ability Cor skill)
and at rates less than paid for higher
grade tools as mentioned above
Experienced helpers should be en-
ployed on stud anr set-screw lathes, wheel
presses bolt cutters and small drill
presses, truck and spring work, etc, and
should only be paid the maximum rate
Tor helpers l inclose herewith list of
the rates that is desired should govern
the principal points on the system. also a
general statement of the classes of work
1t is anticipated the different classes of
men viii perform You will note that the
rate for all-around men is the present
maximum rate for first class machinists
The rate for machine men only. or one
who is not competent to do bench. floor
and erecting work, is given a varying rate
according Vrh ha hoe 4
the machine tool to which he is assigned
The rate for handy men is also a varying
rate, between which limits the mans ra te
may be fixed according to his skill and
the character of the work assigned him
The rate given for experienced helpers is
the maximum rate for all experienced
men who are capable of doing some work
requiring a limited amount Of skill but
more than possessed by an inexperienca cad
man. or one who does only unskilled
helper work.
The rate for inexperienced or ordinary