The Prescott daily news., 1910-07-30
ORDERS ROAD n INCREASE WAGES MISSOURI PACIFIC OPERATORS TO GET ADDITIONAL $5o,Ooo
 ANNUALLY.
HIGH LIVING COST REAL
Arbitrators Report to Federal Court That Railway Had Accumu- lated $17,ooo,ooO Surplus
 In Series of Years.

SN. Louis, July oV.-ItCldTluS lHdl the increased cost of living, together with the vast earnings of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company, justified the demands of the 1,200 telegraph CTS in the company's employ for an in crease in wages, the Board of Arbitra- tion. which has been considering the controversy, returned a report in the United States Circuit Court granting the employees an increase amounting to $50, 1000 annually.
 The report was filed by w. L. Cham bers, who represented the Interstate Commerce Commission on the board, and also is signed by Frank J. Ryan, of the Order of Railroad Telegraph CTS. A. w. Sullivan, the railroad com pany's representative, filed a dissent ing report. The wage demand was submitted to the board by the tele- graphers under the Erdman act, and the decision is final. Both sides will accept the award.
 In the report granting the award, the board states that the evidence dis closed the fact that the railroad con- pany, during a long series of years, has accumulated a $17,O00,00O surplus and that during the lest two years the net earnings have exceeded $3,0OO,- 000
 Award to Be Divided.
 Sullivan in his report, announces that the shareholders in the company have received no returns on their invest ment in the last two years and that a consideration of their equity in the property should not be denied because of the demands of labor.
 The award will be divided among the employees in the form of an in crease in wages in proportion.
 The report of Chambers and Ryan follows:
 We are of the opinion, and accord ingly state as our decision, that an award is hereby made in favor of the Order of Railway Photographers, com plainant in the arbitration, for a lump sum of $50,000 cash per annum in ad dition to the concessions already granted in rules governing the work ing conditions of the said telegraphers, being the employees mentioned in the arbitration agreement.
 The evidence was convincing that there has been material increase in the cost of living since the scale of wages was last adjusted, and that the operators are entitled to the amount now awarded them.
 Big Surplus Accumulated.
 The evidence also disclosed the fact that during a long series of years the railroad co rsny had accumu- lated a surplus exceeding $17000,0 900, and that during the last ten years, in addition to that surplus, the net earn ings over and above operating eX- penses and fixed charges have exceed ed s3.000,0OO.
 "The board, therefore, feels that the award of S50000 cash is fully justified both on the ground of increased cost of living and upon the operating earn ings of the railroad
 Sullivan's report was:
 The shareholders of the Missouri Pacific have received no returns on their investment during the last two years, and consideration of their equity in the property should not be denied because of the demands of the labor unions"
 The investigation by the board of arbitration was started July 6.