Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-11-25

The Investigations regarding the COM
pensation to capital, the intercorpor-
| ate relations of the railroads, then
present earnings, their future possible
earnings and other factors. We're SC
complex that the board was unable to
arrive at q conclusion regarding the
ability of the roads to pay an increas-
ed compensation
It was determined, however. that a
reasonable wage should be paid. Dis
regarding, therefore, the claim of the
railroads that they were unable to bear
an Increase, the board agreed to tho
principle that the engineers should be
paid d fair wage.
In determining, the basis of fair
wage. the board took the point of view
that the. existing facts regarding the
relation OF wages of engineers to those
of other classes of employees in the
train service in the Eastern district
and in other parts of the country
should he the guiding principle. Til,
boards discussion Of facts in this con-
nection led it to the conclusion that a
general increase of wages on all roads
was not warranted upon the basis oil
the evidence presented.
It was concluded by the board. how
ever, that on some roads and for GER
tain classes of service, the compensa-
ton was too small; and therefore tbs
board introduced into the award the
principle of a1minimum wage for tbs
entire district in question.
The board states as its belief thai
the engineers should be granted a fan
| compensation. 1t further states 1t t6
| be probable that the great majority ol
! the railroads in the district considered
| are able to pay fair compensation. Ii
| they are not able to pay such com
! pensation with existing rates, the re-
| port says, there is just cause for then
| to open again the question of an IN
| crease of rates with the Interstate
| Commerce Commission.
| The board points out that a railroad
| strike for the great centers OF tht
| United States can no longer be consid
| cred as matter which primarily al
/ fects the railroad operators and EN-
/ ployes While il does affect them serl
| ously the public is far more deeply IN
| terested: indeed the interests of TN
! public so far exceed those of the par
| ties to the controversy, says the re
| port. as to render them paramount.
| is therefore imperative that some ofhel
! way be found to settle differences be
tween railroads and their employe
/ than by strike, the report says. In TIM
| connection the gains secured through
the E,rdman act and the Canadian IN
dustrial Disputes act are discussed
I and while these acts are found to hay
merits they are held by the board I
be Inadequate to meet the situation
In many respects the railroads ar
subject to the Interstate Commerc
! Commission and various state commits
: | sions. The same is not true OF the EN-
II ployes of the railroads, the board says
This disparity of status suggests tn
creation of federal and state wac
commissions which shall exercls
functions regarding labor engaged ]
work upon public utilities analogou
r. to those exercised with regard to car
2 ita by the public service commission
Z | already in existence.
5 1T is we'll understood by the board
: the report says, that the problem x
: ! which the above plan is suggeste
solution is a complex and difficult on
The suggestion, however, grows out
+ a profound conviction that the roc
\ and clothing of our people, the indu
O trieg and the general welfare of Il
q, nation, cannot be permitted to deper
: npon the policies and the. dictates
: any PARTICULAR group of men, wheti
/. er employers or employees, not upon q