Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-02-26
TO GET INCREASE
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Offer !
Raising of Salaries Of About
Five Per Cent.

From an authentic source 1t was
learned that the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad, in an effort to bring about
an amicahle settlement Of the do.
mands made by the telegraphers for
higher wages, had submitted a plan
TO the men providing for a general
increase of about 5 per cent in the pay
now being received by them. In the
event that the plan is accepted. more
than 1890 ~telegraphers will be ar
fected By the increase.
II is not known at this time whether
or not the offer as made by he Balti-
more and Ohio viii be accepted or re-
jected. The matter has now been laid
before the telegraphers, who are now
taking a vote on the proposition. and
1t is said that he committee which
has been carrying on negotiations
with the officials OF the Baltimore ani
Ohio will be in a position to give their
final answer TO the road by the first
OF March.
Under the plan, 1t Is understood that
the men employed in some of the Of
fees win get an increase in their sal
aries OF nearly 6 per cent. but that
when the matter Is figured It is claim.
ed that the general increase in the
wages Of the telegraphers, as provided
in the plan submitted d its employees,
will mean a general increase OF 5 per
cent.
Should the t~elegraphers agree TO
accept the terms as offered by the Bal
timore and Ohio, 1t is claimed that II
might pave the way for the settlement
of the demands made by the tele-
graphers employed by other Eastern
roads. At the present time negotia-
tions are now being carried on be-
tween the committee representing the
men and the officials CT various roads,
including the Western Maryland. So
far no agreement has been reached, 1t
being claimed that some were holding
back to see just what basis OF settle-
ment would be arrived at by the Balti.
more and Ohio officials.
The negotiations which have been
under way between the special COM
mittee representing the 1900 tela-
graphers employed on the Baltimore
and Ohio and the roads officials, have
covered many points, and the agree.
ment which the Baltimore and Ohio
has offered to sign covers the entire
ground. involving the question OF
hours, etc. 1t Is not known what set
Element has been made in regard 70
other features of he demands as sub
mitted by the committee. But on the
matter of wages, 1t is claimed that the
increase referred to Is correct.
AS heretofore stated, the increase in
the pay OF the men employed in some
OF the offices will be more than five
| per cent. For instance, 1t Is explain
ed that practically all of the Maryland
| Offices will get nearly a six per cent
increase. This Is due to the TACT that
when the state law, requiring tele-
eraphers to work but eight hours. the
pay Of many Of the men was reduced
and was never restored to the old
figures.
Under the plan OF agreement which
the Baltimore and Ohio has submitted
to the special committee it is under
stood that the salaries are not only
put on the old basis which prevailed
before the reduction, but that the
roads officials have also agreed to an
additional increase In the pay Of the
men.
Outside of the state it Is said that
the 5 per cent increase will prevail
in the event that the telegraphers ac-
cept the terms as offered by the Bali
more and Ohio.