Omaha daily bee., 1908-02-21
WAGE CONFLICT IMPROBABLE
Railroads Are Not Considering GEN.
eral Reduction in Pay Rolls.
SOUTHERN ROADS DEFER ACTION
Receiver for Great western Says only
Matter I'm Hand In Misunder-
standing AbOut Charges
fOr Overtime.


WASHINGTON, Feb 2O.-Industrial
and financial circles have been more or
less concerned today over what they re-
gard as a prospect that the railroads OF
the country have in contemplation a gen.
eral reduction in the wages Of their en-
ployes
Such apprehension is practically
groundless Information which has
reached the Interstate Commerce com
mission. particularly. and other officials
Of the government, who have a direct or
indirect interest in the Industrial and
railway matters. indicates clearly that
there is no concerted action on the part
Of American railways to make general
changes in their wage scales ? at this
time or in the near future Instances Of
postponed readjustment of wage scales
are cited in the cases Of three or four
southern system, the Southern railway,
the Louisville & Nashville, the Seaboard
Air line and the Atlantic Coast line be-
ing named as practically the only roads
In the country which may be affected.
1t is the intention of the officials of the
lines named to consider with their en-
ployes the question of a readjustment
of some least of the wage scales now in
force with a view to reducing their
operating expenses, which they regard
as necessary. The plans of the officers
have not been worked out yet, even in a
tentative way, because It is their desire
first to present the situation which con-
fronts them fairly and impartially to
their employees
1t is expected that the employees may
meet them half way and no serious diff
Guilty is anticipated The proposition, in a
general way, will be to return to the wage
scales which were in force about a year
ago, at which time the general advances
in the pay OF men in the operating depart
ments of the railroads throughout the
country were advanced What conclusions
may be reached it is not possible now
definitely to foretell. Assurances have been
given by the railway officials that they
have no disposition to impose any hard
ships upon their employees and they will
not do so.
Question of Great Western.
One other line. the Chicago Great West
ern, has been named as likely to reduce
the wages of its employees. 1t can be said
by authority that the receivers of that
road have no intention to reduce or re-
adjust the wages now in force. 1t is ex-
planned that certain rules and regulations
obtain in the operating department of the
Chicago Great Western which are ambigu-
Gus and subjected, perhaps. to two or three
constructions. Owing to the difference Of
construction placed on these regulations
by the men and by the officials a good
deal of overtime pay is charged against
the operating expenses OF the line. Confer
ences between the receivers or their repre-
sentatives and the employees are to be held
for the purpose of reaching a definite
understanding as to the effect of the
regulations in order that so far as possible
the excessive overtime charges shall be
eliminated. No proposition has been made
by the receivers, it is stated positively,
looking to a reduction of wages.
Chairman Knapp and Commissioner Neill
have adjusted successfully in the last fif-
teen months several controversies that
have arisen between interstate carriers and
their employees. In each case their action
has been purely informal. They simply
have threshed out the questions with the
representatives. of the employees and of the
employers and il each case have succeeded
in bringing them to a basis of satisfactory
understanding.
No Cause for Apprehension.
So far as the Interstate Commerce com
mission is concerned and so far as i'm
portant railroad interests here are aware
there is no cause for apprehension respect
ing the wage question on American rail-
roads. Such questions as have arisen in
isolated instances are not regarded as
ground for any general concern.
While some railroads have suffered dur
ing the last few months from a falling off
of business the records shown in the re-
ports of operation received by the Inter-
state Commerce commission indicate no
large or very general reduction in reve-
nues. On account Of the financial strin-
gency during the autumn and early weeks
of winter some curtailments of construc-
tion work were made, but that work, which
is in a measure continuing, will be resumed
in q majority of instances at the openine
of aDFinR