Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1908-02-21
NO GENERAL WAGE CUT
RooseveIt's Letter Will Prevent
Reduction of Salaries.
ROADS PLAN READJUSTMENTS

The Interstate Commerce Commission
Learns That There Is No Concerted
Action on Part of Railroads to Make
Sweeping Salary Changes.
Washington, Feb. 81. The letter
which the president has addressed to
| the interstate commerce commission
| directing that data be complied which
will throw abundant light on the mer-
| its of any controversies which may
arise between interstate carriers and
their employees WILL in the opinion
of experts here, prove an ample deter
rent to any disposition which certain
railway managers might entertain
materially to curtail wages.
The presidents letter, it is asserted,
will serve as gentle reminder to rail-
road managers that the light of pub
licity may so easily be applied to their
balance sheets that it will be the part
of wisdom to consider carefully before
making sweeping reductions of wages
with the expectation that any consider
able part of the public will be misled
regarding the cause.
Some Readjustments Planned.
Information which has reached the
interstate commerce commission and
other officials of the government who
have a direct or indirect interest in in
dustrial and railroad matters indicates
tha If fhora Ia No noo oartad q otiop an tho
part Of the American roads to make
general changes in their wage scales
at this time or in the near future. In.
stances of proposed readjustment of
wage scales are cited in the cases of
three or four southern systems, the
Southern railway, the Louisville and
Nashville, the Sea board 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 readiust-
ment Of some at least of the wage
scales now In force with view to re-
ducing their operating expenses which
they regard as necessary. The plans
of the officials have not been worked
out yet. even in tentative way, be-
cause 1t is their desire first to present
the situation which confronts them
fairly and impartially to their employ
ees. 1t was thought that the employ
ees may meet them halfway, and no
serious difficulty is expected. /
No Hardships viii Be Imposed. /
The proposition. in general way.
Will be to return to the wage scales
which were in force about a year ago,
at which time general advances in the
pay of men in the operating depart
ments of the railroads throughout the
country were made What decisions
may be reached it is not possible now
definitely to foretell Assurances have
been given by the railroad officials that
they have no disposition to impose any
hardship on their employees.
One other line, the Chicago Great
Western. has been named as likely to
reduce the wages of It's employees. 1t
can be said by authority that the re-
ceiyers of that road have no intention
to reduce or readjust the wages now
In force. II is explained that certain
rules and regulations In the operating
department OF the Chicago Great West
ern are ambiguous and subject per-
haps to two or three constructions.
Owing to the difference of construction
placed on these regulations by the men
and the officials good deal of over
time pay Is charged against the operat.
ing expenses of the line
Won't Stand Cut, Gompers Says.
Conferences between the receivers or
their representatives and the employ
ees are TO be held for the purpose Of
reaching 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, look
ng to reduction of wages.
Before leaving for New York. Sam
lei Gompers. president of the Ameri-
AN Federation Of Labor. said:
The wages Of the railroad men can
lot stand a reduction. The cost Of liv-
ng has been increasing faster than the
wages. which. in fact, have not been
at all. The sympathies Of
President Roosevelt are with the work
ne people. and. kno' this. the rail-
Dad companies woi -empt a gen.
raj reduction Of wages"