The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1908-02-27
NO WAGE CUTS
BY RAILROADS
GRoUNDLESS FEARS OF GEN
ERAL REDUCTION.
ADJUSTMENTS TO Be MADE
Only Lines Contemplating Action
Are Three or Four, Which are Sim
ply Instances of Postponed Inten-
tions, Dating Back Year Ago.

Observation-Disclosures and f.
nancial circles have been more or less
concerned over what is regarded as
a prospect that the railroads Of the
country have in contemplation gem
eral reduction in the wages Of their
employees. Such apprehension is prac-
tically groundless. Information which
has reached the interstate commerce
commission, particularly, and other
officials of the government who have
direct or indirect interest in indus
trial and railway matters, indicate
clearly that there is no concerted ac-
ton on the part of the American
railways to make general changes in
their wage scale 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
systems, the Southern Railway, the
Louisville & Nashville, the Seaboard
Air Line and the Atlantic Coast line.
being 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 employees the question of
a readjustment of at least some Of the
wage scales now in force with view
ito reducing their operating expenses,
which they regard as necessary. The
plans Of the officials have not been
worked out yet, because it is their
desire first to present the situation
as confronts them fairly and impair
tally to their employees. 1t is ex-
pected that the employers may meet
them half way and no serious diff
Guilty is expected. The proposition in
a general way will be return to the
wage scales which were in force about
year ago. at which time general adj
vances in the pay Of men in the ope-
rating departments of the railroads
throughout the country were advanc-
ed. What conclusions may be reach
ed, it is not possible now definitely
to foretell Assurances have been
given by the railway officials that
they have no disposition to impose
any hardships upon their employees
and they will not do so. On other
lines, the Chicago Great Western, 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 readjust the wages now in force. 1t
is explained that certain rules and
regulations obtain in the operating
department of the Chicago Great
Western, which are ambiguous and
subjected perhaps to two or three con-
struetions. No proposition has been
made by the receivers, it is stated,
positively looking to a reduction Of
wages. Chairman Knapp, of the in
terstate commerce commission, who,
by the provisions of the so-called Erd-
m an law,is made one of lie two mem
bers of board of mediation-Prof.
Charles P. Neill, commissioner of la
Dor, being the other-in accordance
with the suggestion contained in Pres
ident Roosevelt s letter to the inter-
state commerce commission respect
ing the railroad wage question, is hold
ing himself in readiness to act under
the law, whenever he may be called
upon by one or the other of the par
ties to any wage controversy. Pend
ing direct application Dy one party
or the other of any question in dis
pute, Chairman Knapp explained that
practically nothing can be done. Chair
man Knapp and Commissioner Neilf
have adjusted successfully in the
past fifteen months several contro-
versies that have arisen between ia
terstate carriers and their employees.
So far as the interstate commerce
commission is concerned and so far as
important railroad interests here are
aware there is no cause for apprehen-
sion respecting the wage question on
American railroads. While some rail-
roads have suffered during the past
few months from falling off of bust
ness, the iecords shown In the reports
of operation received by the inter-
state commerce commission indicate
no large or very general reduction IN
revenue.