Los Angeles herald., 1907-05-06
TAFT ANNOUNCES
SCALE OF WAGES
Declares That, in View Of the Great
Number of Concessions Granted,
the Pay Allowed Is
Liberal
By Associated Press.

BY Associated Press
WASHINGTON. May 5.-A far reach
ing decision by Secretary Taft. affect
ing rates of pay, hours of labor, ETC.,
on the Isthmus of Panama, following
his recent personal investigation there
was made public at the White House
today after being approved by Presi'
dent Roosevelt. The decision applies to
steam shovel men, constructive loco
motive engineers and construction train
conductors.
One of the grievances of the men was
the putting into operation on April
of new regulations restricting leave of
absence or leave on account of sick
ness On this question the secretary
says:
at seems to me that good faith re-
quires that the old regulations as to
leave have been materially changed and
shall remain as part of the contract of
service of those now on the isthmus."
Suggests Compromise
Regarding the summary dismissal
without hearing or giving reasons,
which was complained of by the canal
employees, Secretary Taft says that he
has given his approval to the plan OF
Colonel Goethals, whereby it is pro-
posed to dispose of such cases through
committee consisting OF one repre-
sentative of the craft of the employe
proposed for dismissal, one represent
ing the foreman or higher official pro-
posing discharge and one representing
the commission, final action to be taken
by the commission. Secretary Taft
next considers the case OF the steam
shovel men who applied for higher
wages as follows:
Engineers from s21O to $500 per month,
firemen from $S3.33 to $110 per month.
In reaching the conclusion that the
present rates of pay are liberal, he cites
a large number of instances of wage
scales paid by large construction firms
in the United States from New York to
San Francisco and also in Alaska. He
concludes that the complaint of this
branch of the canal employees is not we'll
founded; that the existing standard of
pay is liberal and ought not to be in
creased except under some provisions of
reasonable increase applicable to all
veteran employees of the commission
who are paid by class rates. The 18TH
mian shovel engineers are paid from 20
to 35 per cent higher than the average
of those paid in the states, and this by
no means states all the difference in
favor of the isthmian terms of employ
ment.
constantly employed
"a steam shovel man on the isthmus
can count on twelve months constant
employment in a year, and steam shovel
men in the United States cannot expect |
to be employed more than nine months |
in the year. The rate of pay for steam
shovel engineers in Alaska, as before
stated, is said to be $500 a month, but
we can reasonably presume that the
working there would hardly exceed six |
or seven months.
Second. Every. shovel man on the !
isthmus is entitled to six weeks leave
with pay as a vacation, so that he re-
ceives twelve months pay for ten andi
one-half months work.
Third. Steam shovel men on the
isthmus work only eight hours day,
whereas many, though not all of the
steam shovel men in the United States
work ten hours a day.
Fourth. Every employe of the 18TH
mus is permitted. if he falls sick, to
enjoy twenty days sick leave with pay. |
Fifth. If the employe receives an in
jury during his work he is entitled to
an additional thirty days sick leave.
Sixth. Every married man is en-
titled to furnished quarters for himself
and family free, with modern con-
veniences, with water, fuel and light |
free; and commissary which aims 10 |
sell all necessaries at cost to commits |
sion employees The married mems
quarters are generally in separate
houses. Every bachelor is entitled to |
his furnished room free, together with
light and board at a nominal rate at
the mess house or hotel. The cost of |
feed necessaries is about what it is IN
eastern cities or slightly higher.
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