The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-11-25
1000 ENGINEERS ON
EASTERN LINES
GAIN CONCESSIONS
CONTINUED From Page onc)


minimum rate is established for the roads
parties to the arbitration with the excep-
ton of a few
In awarding the minimum through
freight rate of $i.75 per day, the board
establishes wages for the district that
measurably approach the current mini
mum of roads now paying the better
rates.
In making the rate Tor local freight
service p cents higher than through
freight SERVICE a general increase Of
compensation Is granted.
The effect of the 20 mile per hour basis
of computing overtime in the passenger
service, the rules regarding final termi-
nal delay, and other changes in the rules
Of service are all more favorable TO the
engineers than existing rules upon many
of the roads.
Difficult Problem
The problem before the board of arbi-
tration was one of such difficulty that 1T
became necessary before an award was
made for the board to consider the prn-
ciples which should obtain. The facts
upon which it reached its conclusions
were SO involved and numerous that they
cannot be summarized. The investiga-
/ tons regarding the compensation to cap
4 tal, the intercorporate relations of the
railroads their present earnings, their
/ future possible earnings, and other fac
! tors, were so complex that the board was
unable TO arrive at a conclusion regard
/ ing the ability of the roads to pay an
4 increased compensation.
4 1t was determined, however that a rea-
I sonable wage should be paid. Disregard
I ing. therefore, the claim of the railroads
4 that they were unable to bear an in
4 crease the board agreed TO the principle
that the engineers should be paid fair
wage
| In determining the basis OF a fair wage,
the board took the poin. of view that the
| existing facts regarding the relation of
wages OF engineers to those of other
I classes of employees in the train service
| in the eastern district and In other parts
4 of the country should be the guiding prin.
! ciple The boards discussion of facts In
this connection led it to the conclusion
that a general increase of wages on all
roads was not warranted upon the basis
Of the evidence presented.
/ IL was concluded by the board, how
| ever that on some roads and for certain
| classes of service. the compensation was
too small; and therefore the board intro
duced into the award the principle OF a
minimum wage for the entire district in
pueS''o''
"ii "' ~
Inc BOARD states as us peiel tuat ene
! engineers snoniu oe eIahteu laii Vo'r
| pensauoh' II iuf'hei states II " ~ lIo.-
! aple that the great HdJollty o. Tue isii
| roads III the elset1el colspuersu are hplp
to pay iair compensation II they arc
/ not aoie TO pay sueh compensation WIN
| eXistins rates, lne report saNS' tiere =
! Just cause Tor them 10 open again the
| question Oh an increase ol rates WIN 'i'e
/ interstate eoihine.ce coiii,,iiss'on ,,.s
me board points Out lhal railro ,d,
strike Tor the great eeheefs Oh the Cniteu
| states can no longer pc eohsiuereu az d
matter winch primarily anects me ran,
road operators ana e'hpioYes' WINE !.
does afect them seriously the pubic i
tar more deeply Interested lhueeu, we
| interests OF the PUBIC 50 lai eNVeeu 'nose
Of the pafues 10 tlle controversy, cay
the report as 10 renuer tneiil paIal''ouil.,
II IS therefore Imperative 'iiat soilie o'iio.
way pc louhu 70 sett'e uilieieiives ~" ~,
rallroads ana tnelr ei'pipyes tnau "
strike, the report sasS. ~ t,is No'i r,'s',
uol tne GAINS seeuieu t.ie A.
man ACT anu We ai.''ui'A,' 49,
putes ac' ",e ,'a p 80, 49,, ti,a,, are
acts are loui'e 70 HaFe i,S oiley ., ~
neiu nN me ,a poat' " "