New-York tribune., 1910-07-16
NO CAUSE FOR 4 STRIKE.

The differences between the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad and its conductors and
trainmen are somewhat obscured by the
technical manner in which they have
been stated. But it seems to be agreed
on both sides that the Association of
Railway Conductors and the Brother
hood Of Railroad Trainmen insist on the
railroad company's paving higher wages
than are paid the conductors and train
men on competing Eastern railroads.
The employees admit that they have re-
ceived more liberal treatment than have
the employees of other railroads. Yet be-
cause certain of the other roads have re-
Gently altered the conditions of en-
ployment in such way as to
raise compensation directly or in
directly a demand is made on the
Pennsylvania management TO consent TO
corresponding alterations in order 10 re-
store the former margin of inequality.
Instead of being grateful to the com
pany for having set standard of wages
10 which other roads are now only grad
ually approxima ting. the conductors and
trainmen who voted 10 strike seem TO
think that as Il matter of course they
should continue 20 be specially favored,
regardless of conditions in the railroad
world which are making more and more
for uniformity both in rates and in
wages.
We think that the public will be quick
10 recognize the arbitrariness Of the po
sition taken by the Pennsylvania s en-
ployes. Under the gIiise Of asking for a
change in working conditions such as
the institution Of the ten-hour day and
The calculation of pay on a mileage in
stead Of a trip basis. they ask for a ma
terial increase in wages. They want to
be paid as much for a ten-hour day as
they are now paid for an eleven-hour
day. a twelve-hour day or a thirteen
hour day The company is willing TO
use the mileage basis and TO limit the
working day 10 ten hours. but it is not
willing to increase wages generally at
this time, in view Of the fact that it
made voluntary increase of per cent
only few months ago and of the fur
ther fact that It's present scale is still
above the scale in force on any compel
ing railroad. The committees represent
ing the two associations Of employees do
not deny that the schedule which they
submitted to the management would in
crease wages IS to 20 per cent above the
rates now paid hy the companies which
have recently settled disputes with their
employees by mediation and arbitration.
The PENNSYLVANIA Railroad may prop
erly resent such an attempt to requite
former generous treatment by ingrati-
tude and exaction. The railroads of the
country are at present between two
fires, Widespread protest is made
against every proposed increase in
freight or passenger rates. But Operat-
ing expenses are getting heavier and
heavier. Charges for everything which
q railroad uses have risen. vet the public
insists that rates shall remain as they
are or even be forced downward A
railroad corporation has TO think twice
nowadays before it creates a new obli-
CATION 10 be met out of its operating
revenues. The Pennsylvania Railroad
has an honorable record for liberality to
its men II has paid the highest price for
labor. rewarded Intelligent and faithful
service and voluntarily established
pension system from which its employees
Of all grades benefit Its policy has been
open handed, not niggardly and OPP
pressive, and it is willing now to meet
the complaints of the conductors and
trainmen in a c0nciliatory spirit But ii
is right in resisting an attempt to abuse
its well known disposition to be fair and
generous. If the conductors and train
men are wise they will come to 4 friend
II understanding with the railroad com
pany. The public will not be with them
if they force strike on the mistaken
assumption that their arbitrary claim TO
the enjoyment of a higher wage rate
than is paid Oh any other railroad sys-
TEN has any basis in common sense or
economic right