The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1912-11-28
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yolyed and numerous that they can
not be summarized. The investiga-
lions regarding the compensation
capital, to intercorporate relations
81 the railroads. their present earn
ngs,, thel future possible earnings,
and other factors, were so complex
mat the board was unable TO arrive
at conclusions regarding the ability
Of the roads to pay an increased
compensation.
II was determined, however, that
reasonable wage should be paid.
Disregard ng, therefore, the claim
Of the railroads that they were un-
able to bear au increase, the board
agreed to the principle that the en-
gineers hould be paid fair wages.
Iii determining the bass OF a fair
wage, the board took the point OF
view that the existing facts re-
eadlng the relation of wages of en-
aineers to those of other classes of
employees in the train service in
the eastern district and in other
parts OF the country should be the
guiding principle. The boards dis
cussion of facts in this connection
led to the conclusion that general
Increase of wages on all roads was
not warranted upon the basis of the
evidence presented.
1t was concluded by the board,
however, that OH some roads and for
certain classes OF service, the com
pensation was too small: and there
fore the board introduced into the
award the principle OF a minimum
wage for the entire district in ques-
ton.
The board states as its belief that
The engineers should be granted a
fair compensation. It further states
1t to be probable thai the great ma
ior.ty OF the railroads in the district
considered are able to pay a fair
compensation. If they are not able
to pay such compensation with ex-
isting rates, the report says, there is
just cause for them to open again
the question of increase of rates
with the Interstate Commerce Com
mission.
The board points out that rail
road strike for the great centers OF
the United States can no longer be
considered as a matter which pri-
marily affects the railroad operators
and employees. While it does affect
them seriously the public is far
more deeply interested; indeed the
interests OF the'public so far exceed
those Of the parties to the contro-
yersy. sayssthe report, as to render
them paramount 1t Is therefore
imperative that some other way DC
found to settle. differences between
railroads and Their employees than
by strike, the report says. In this
connection the gains secured through
the Erdman act and the Canadian
Industrial Disputes Act are dis
cussed, and while these acts are
found TO have merits they are held
by the board to be inadequate to
meet the situation.
In many respects the railroads
are subject to the Interstate Com
merce Commission and various state
commissions. The same is not true
Of the employees of the railroads,
The board says. This display OF
status suggests the creation OF fed
eral and state wage Commissioners
which shall exercise functions re-
gardng labor engaged in work upon
public utilities analogous to those
exercised with regard to capital by
the public service commissions al
ready IN existence. T'a,'
ut isewell understood by the
board" the report says, that the
problem for which the above plan is
suggested solution is a complex
and difficult one. The suggestion,
however, grows out of profound
conviction that the food and CLOTH
ing of the people, the industries and
the general welfare of the nation
cannot be permitted to depend upon
lh2 policies and the Dictates OF any
particular group Of men. whether
employers or employees combined
The public utilities of the nation
are Of such fundamental importance
TO the whole people that their op
Grafton must not be interrupted, ant
means must be worked out which
will guarantee this result"
The report is signed without re
serve by Charles R. Van Hise, Mad
iaon, Wis, chairman; Oscar S
Straus, New York; Albert Shaw
New York; Frederick y. Judson. st