Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1913-01-11
MINIMUM WAGE
FOR ENGINEERS
$4,000 Locomotive Drivers
to Benefit.
AGAINST GENERAL INCREASE
Arbitrators Point Out Danger to Public
of Strikes and Federal and State
Commission Suggested as Remedy.

of Strikes and Federal and State
Commission Suggested as Remedy.
Thirty Thousand locomotive engi-
neers on tifty-two eastern railroads
gain a partial victory in their demand
for more wages. under the award en-
nounced by the board of arbitration.
In its decision, however, the board
holds that the public, which had no
voice in the controversy, and no
choice but to abide by the decision,
had more at stake than either engi.
neers or railroads.; and the report
emphasizes the necessity Of plans 70
safeguard the public against the pos3i-
bility of a future strike, whose Corso,
Quences 1t depicts in somber vein.
1T would be difficult to cxaggcrate
the seriousness OF such q calamity"
reads the report. 1T ID safe to Say
that the large cities Of the east would
find their supply of many articles Of
food exhausted within week. OF so
important a commodity as milk they
would have no more than q days SUP
ply. If strike of the character last
ed for only g single week, the suffering
would be beyond our power OF descrip-
ton The interests Of the public so far
exceed those Of the parties to a con
trOversy as 10 render the former para.
mount. TO this paramount Interest,"
both tic railroad operators and the
employees should submit"
To place such strike beyond the
realms OF probability, the board &dvo-
nf fnIn 10
wage commissions These commits.
blons, the EOard suggests. should be
vested with practically the same pow
ers over organized labor as public
utilities commissions now exercise
over Quasi-puDlic corporations
1T Is the belief OF the board" CON
tnues the decision, that in the last
analysis the only solution Is to qualify
the principle Of free contract IN tie
railroad service"
From this suggestion p. II. Norris
Cey, the representative Of the cngi-
Eeer5 on the board, dissents
While the award increases wages
On some railroads and for some class
e3 OF service, 1t holds that q general
increase On all roads IS not warrant
ed The award dates back to May /
last, and Will hold for one year from
that da;o
Mr.. Morrissey, representing the en-
g1neers, has already indicated douD:
a3 TO Its renewal. In the past, with
several notable exceptions, the con
tracts between the roads and the en-.
gineorS have boon removed annually.
Noli
OF the boards awards and tho rcQucsta
Of the engineers: ~
In passenger service, q minimum
wage was granted Of S425 for 100
miles or less; and an overtime rate CT
% cents per hour with al average
speed Of twenty miles per hour. The
engineers asked $40 and s. 60 per
day of 100 miles, according to thu size
OF the locomotive cylinder, with an
overtime rate of 70 cents per hour
after five hours
In through freight service 2 mini.
mum was granted Of S4.75 per day OF
100 miles or less, with overtime DrC
rata after ten hours. The engirecys
requested rates Of 1925, $3.50 and
$5.?5 per day OF 100 niles, according
TO size Of the engine; and 81 for h4l
let engines; the same rates to apply
to mine runs. work, wreck, helper or
pushcr, milk and circus trains
In local freight service, twenty Ave
cents additl nal TO the through freight
rates Wos GRANTED. Thg net the full
request Of the engineers
In switching service, q minimum G,
-,
granted. The engineers asked $3.50
per day Of ten hours IN switca,ng scr.
vice end Ger belc line service.
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