The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-10-19
WHAT LABOR MAY DO.
Its Interest in Railroad Success Greater
Than That of Capital.

The interest Of labor in the success Of
the American railroads is really great.
"r that the interest Of capital, for out
OF the aggregate receipts Of tine rail-
roads, including their income from
other sources than operation, labor
draws thirty cents out Of every dollar,
while capital draws in the form OF in
tcrest and iyidends only twenty-three
oents.
II these percentages could be- com.
puted on the basis OF the business Of
tine present year, tho proportion of
labor would be still greater; for while
the gross earnings Of the railroads have
fallen off greatly, the wages have not
been reduced, In some cases enforced
economies have led 20 the laying or Of
unnecessary workmen, but the great
staff of American railroad employees
rmains unchanged with their rates Of
wages in a time Of depression as high
Gs they were put IN the last year OF
record breaking business.
In return for this there have been an
urdoubted increase In the efficiency Of
labor, In other words, employees are
doing more work per man than they did
in 1906 and 1907. But IL is fair to
ask whether they are fully apprecatiyc
ci the preferred position which( they
have occupied during this year Of bust
ness depression.
This qeustion Is suggested by the re-
cent circular addressed to the employees
u the Bangor & Aroostook railroad Of
Maine, by its vice president, Percy r.
Todd. Mr.. Todd tells the employees Of
his railroad that while the gross earn
ings Of the company during the year
ending June 30. 1908, fell Of $4,000,
in not single instance was the rate
of pay reduced, and the total amount
paid in wages declined only 500 900. In
two years the amount paid in wages
by this company was S2,430,000, while
the amount paid in dividends to the
owners was only $i6s0o0.
In view Of these facts, Mr. Todd
c,lls upon the employees OF the road 20
sG in getting the best possible results
from the operation Of the road. He
calls attention to the fact That in the
past year 100000 was paid for cars
damaged. $4,000 OF which IVES due TO
careless handling by its own employees.
A further amount was lost through
waste in fuel A further amount was
lost through careless handling OF
freight By employees. There vas a fur
tner loss through carelessness in not
closing and fastening the doors of box
Gers Mr.. Todd ralls attention TO the
losses sustained by reason OF accidents
through caslessness. and also the
losses sustained by reason Of lack Of
courtesy of employees toward patrons Of
tie road. While he speaks highly Of
The conduct Of the employees as whole. I
nc urges upon all greater reciprocity |
towards the railroad from which they |
obtain their wages, and to which they !
eve not merely perfuHctory service, but |
the highest degree Of thoughtfulness, !
cQrefulness and prevention OF waste.
Now that so much is being done for /
American workmen in the way Of high /
e, wages. shorter hours. better laws
improved safety appliances, systems OF /
PENSIONS and the like, surely il is not |
pntimely TO urge that labor, individual.
rs and through It's organization, should /
take account OF the need of reciprocal |
,ction to the end that every leak and |
VS. ste may be stopped and tine efficiency |
u the service increased. In this way 4
abor may aid nightly in the recovery
II business 20 high degree OF pros
1erity.--Wall Street journal.