The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-11-28
INCREASES IN WAGES
MONTGOMERY RAILROADS WILL ACT SOON.
Conductors, Engineers, Macninisss' Boilermakera and BlacH<smfths Expect Raises to Come Be-
 fore First of Year


 The Montgomery railroad situation has reached stage that makes It prac- tically certain that there will De an increase in wages paid employees either before or by January 1st
 A demand is to be made by the dif- ferent orders, the order of Railway Conductors, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Machinists Union, Boiler makers union and Blaeksmiths union, for an increase in wages. The indica- tions are that the railroads will grant the increase willingly and that there will not be the slightest friction.
 So far the Atlantic Coast Line Is the only road centering in Montgomery that has taken any steps. but from statements made by the employees Of the other roads entering Montgomery the movement will be general An increase of 10 per cent in wages was voluntarl- ly made by Eastern and Western rodos some weeks ago and in the last few days several of the roads in the South have made the same increases.
 Committees have been appointed so far on the Coast Line only by the Ma chinists Boiler makers and B ack- smiths unions at the local shops in West Montgomery.
 As stated in The Advertiser few days ago Messrs. Patterson and Michael have been appointed by the local ma chinists union to attend conference at Wilmington between the machin- Ists and officials of the Atlantic Coast Line. Soon after the meeting of the machinists there win be confer ence between commi tees of the Boiler makers union and Blacksmiths union in Wilmington. The committees ap- pointed by these two local unions at the shops of the Atlantic Coast Line in West Montgomery are R. E. Cronier for the Boilermakers and J. J. Devereaux for the Blacksmiths.
 No committees from the conductors or engineers on the Coast Line have been appointed so far. but these two orders will take the matter up between now and January 1st, whom the agree ments between both orders and the Att lantic Coast Line expire. At present, the engineers on the Atlantic coast Line are paid 1-2 cents a mile while the engineers of the Louisville and Nashville get 8 1-S cents a mile. The engineers of both roads will make the demand for an increase of wages and the same thing applies to the conduc- tors of both the Coast Line and Louis- vile and Nashville.
 The conductors of the Coast Line get two cents a mile until they have ! jump of $21 and from then on to the end of the month the sliding scale. The conductors on the Coast Line have an agreement with that road which terIni- nate on December 31, the following clause having been inserted, however, when 1t was made with the company, if at any time point comes up which n eeds adjustment the conductors can by giving the railroad thirty days notice, break the agreement.
 Tn the Coast Line officials we have just about as broadminded, liberal and reasonable 6 set of men to work for as ran be found anywhere in the country" said a Coast Line man in discussing the matter yesterday. "and l don't think that there will be the slightest trou- ble in securing increase of salaries.
 There was time year or so ago." hA continued. when I could buy eggs, poultry and butter along the line of Our road at just half the price that l pay for them now. The prices of nearly every comodity. not luxuries, but the necessities of life. have almost doubled while our salaries remain the same.
 Tho prosperity of the railroads is we'll known and 1t seems nothing but simple justice for them to let us have a small share in this general prosperity, and I don't think that there is the slightest doubt that this Is exactly what they will do. There Is one thing, however, that We will nor do. and that Is to accept an increase without a for nal contract to that effect for suppose after granting the increase the rail- roads decide to go back to the present standard of wages within four or five months after making the increase Then. without a contract we would be oowerless.
 NO. there will be no increase given to the conductors without a formal contract stating the increase for at least one year."