Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-11-26

factors, were so complex that the
board was unable to arrive at con-
clusion regarding the ability of the
roads to pay an increased compensa.
ton.
1t was determined, however that a
reasonable wage should be paid. Dis.
regarding, therefore, the claim or the
railroads that they were unable to
bear an increase, the board agreed to
the principle that the engineers
should be paid fair wage.
General Increase UnWarranted.
In determining the basis OF lar
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 be the guiding principle. The
boards discussion Of facts in this con-
nection led it to the conclusion that
general increase of wages on all ROADS
was not warranted upon the basis OF
the evidence presented.
It was concluded by the board,
however, that on some roads and Tor
certain classes of service, the COM
pensation was too small; and therefore
the board introduced into the award
the principle of a minimum wage for
the entire district in question.
Urge FaiT Compensation.
The board states as it's belief that
the engineers should be granted fair
compensation. 1t further states 1t to
be probable that the great majority
of the railroads In the district con-
sidered are able to pay fair compen-
sation. If they are not able to pay
such compensation with existing
rates, the report says, there is just
cause for them to open again the
question of an increase or rates WIN
the interstate commerce COMMISSION
Public Most Concerned.
The board points out that rail-.
road strike for the great centers OIL
the United States can no longer be
considered as a matter which primar.
ily affects the railroad operators and
employees. While 1t does affect them
seriously the public is far more deeply
Interested; indeed the interests OF the
public so far exceed those or the
parties to the controversy, says the
report, as to render them paramount.
It is therefore, imperative that some
other way be found to settle differ
ences between railroads and their EN-.
ployes than by strike, the report says.
In this connection the gains secured
through the Erdman act and the Can
adian 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.
Favorable to,Wage Commissions.
In many respects the railroads are
subject to the interstate commerce
and various state commits
sions The same Is not true OF the
employees Of the railroads.; the board
says. This disparity OF status sug-
gests the creation of federal and state
wage commissions which shall exer-
else functions regarding labor engaged |
IN work upon public utilities analog-
ous to those exercised with regard
10 capital by the public service COM
missions already in existence.
1T is we'll understood by the board"
he report says, that the problem for
which the above plan is a suggested
solution is complex and difficult one.
The suggestion, however, grows out OF
/ profound conviction that the food
md clothing of our people, the indus
tries and the general welfare of the
nation, cannot be permitted to depend
upon the policies and the dictates of
my particular group of men, whether
employers or employees, nor upon the
of group Of employers
and employees combined. The public
utilities Of the nation are of such