Milford chronicle., 1913-03-07
MINIMUM WAGE
FOR ENGINEERS
10000 Locomotive Drivers
TO Benefit
AGAINST GENERAL INCREASE
Arbitrators Point Out Danger to Public
of Strikes and Federal and state

Of Strikes and Federal and State
Commission Suggested as Remedy.
Thirty thousand locomotive engi
neers on hfry-two eastern railroads
gain a partial victory in their demand
for more wages, under the award an
nouneed by the board Of arbitration.
In its decision, however, the board
holds that the public, which had nc
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 to
safeguard the public against the posi-
bility of a future strike, whose cOnse
Quences it depicts in somber vein.
would be difficult to exaggerate
the seriousness of such a calamity,
reads the report. 1T is safe to say
that the large cities of the east would
find their supply of many articles Of
food exhausted within a week. OF so
important a commodity as milk they
would have no more than days sup
ply If a strike of the character last
ed for only a 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 TO render the former para
mount To this paramount interest
both the railroad operators and the
employees should submit"
To place such a strike beyond the
realms OF probability, the board advo-
Gates the creation OF federal and state
wage commissions. These commits
sions, the board suggests. should be
vested with practically the same pow
ers over organized labor as public
utilities commissions now exercise
over quasi-public corporations.
1T is the belief of the board" con
tinues the decision, that in the last
analysis the only solution is to qualify
the principle of free contract in the
railroad service"
From this suggestion P. H. Morris
sey, the representative of the engi
neers on the board, dissents.
While the award increases wages |
on some railroads and for some class
es of service, it holds that a genera |
on all roads is not warrant |
ed. The award dates back to May |
last, and will hold for one year from
that date.
Mr.. Morrissey, representing the en-
gineers, has already indicated doub
as to its renewal. In the past, with
several notable exceptions, the con
tracts between the roads and the en-
gineers have been renewed annually
Following are the more impor,an;
If the boards awards and the requests
If the engineers:
In passenger service, a minimum
wage was granted of S425 for 100
niles or less; and an overtime rate Of
10 cents per hour with an average
peed of twenty miles per hour The
Engineers asked $440 and $500 per
lay of 100 miles, according to the size
# the locomotive cylinder, with an
vertime rate of 20 cents per hour
fter five hours.
In through freight service a mini
lum was granted of $4.75 per day Of
90 miles or less, with overtime pro
alta after ten hours The engineers
equested rates of S525, $3.50 and
5.75 per day of 100 miles, according
, size of the engine; and 81 for Nal
It engines; the same rates to apply
} mine runs, work, wreck. helper or
usher, milk and circus trains.
ents additional to the through freight
ltes was granted. This met the full
squest of the engineers.
In switching service, a minimum OF
lilo day of ten hours or less was
'anted. The engineers asked $3.50
or day of ten hours in switching ser.
&c and for belt line service.
All existing rates higher than the !
inimum granted by the board are
in force. /
In fixing the minimum wage in pas
niger service at $4.25 per day,
CHER minimum rate is established !
r the roads, parties to the arbitra
IN with the exception of a few !
In awarding the minimum through
eight rate of $475 per day. the {
ard establishes wages for the dis
ct that measurably approach the 7
trent minimum of roads now paying
e better rates.
In making the rate for local freight
rviee twenty-five cents higher than j,
rough freight service a general in I
Ease Of compensation is granted.
The effect of the twenty-mile per r
ur basis Of computing overtime in =
; passenger service, the rules re- {
riding final terminal delay and other 1
anges in the rules Of service are all I
re favorable to the engineers than 1
sting rules on many of the roads.