New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-12
COAL CARRYING ROADS
HARD HIT BY AWARD.
Advance in Trainmen's Wages
Greater with Them than on
Lines Like N. Y. Central.
HOPE FOR HIGHER FREIGHT
Head of N. Y, o. & w. SAYS
Extra Cost Will Reach S48,-
000-W. G. Brown Puts His
Lines Sum at 100000.

The award of a per cent increase to
the trainmen and conductors by the arbi-
tration board did not surprise the officials
of all the railroads interested. The adj
vance. 1t is said. will fall heaviest on the
coal-carrying roads. A. r. Whaley, vice
president of the New Haven. said yes
/ terday that the arbitrators eliminated the
question Of freight rates and took up the
wages of the men with regard TO their
work and the cost Of living
These recurring Increases under the
present circumstances. he continued
when the railroads have no correspond
ing return, and have no power TO raise
the freight rates without the consent Of
the Interstate Commerce Commission,
make matters a little serious looking. /
cannot predict what the inquiry of the
Interstate Commerce Commission in the
matter OF freight rates at the end Of this
month may result in. but had an idea
that the wages OF the tranmen and con-
ductors would be advanced to something
like the figures in the award"
j. b. Kerr. president OF the New York.
Ontario & Western. said that the In
crease In wages awarded did not surprise
him The increase awarded, he said.
would add to the operating expenses of
his road $4,000 to $4,000 He said the
operation of the fun crew law. which
went into effect in September, increased
the operating expenses $500 month.
ut must not be forgotten" he said.
that when a year or two before the
trainmen and conductors had their wages
increased. in 1870 large increase had
been granted 10 the men I'm all branches
OF the operating department of the rail-
roads and II was then thought that the
railroads could slightly increase the
freight rates TO cover these increases but
the Interstate Commerce Commission
would not give its consent to such in
crease on freight rates.
THE rates for freight are lower In this
country than in any other country, yet
the railroads in this country pay the
highest wages. The question Of an in
crease i'm the freight rates is to be taken
up toward the end Of this month by the
Interstate Commerce Commission The
roads should have a right under the cir
cumstances TO increase the rates. and
believe they will be ali permitted ult-
matcly TO do so. as what is right must
come in the end"
The heads OF the larger Eastern rail
roads that are affected by the 800
900 increase i'm the wages had little COM
ment TO make on the award. W. e.
Brown Of the New York Central system.
said regarding the increased cost in
volved by that road:
at is estimated that the award just
made by the arbiters in the case OF the
trainmen and conductors involves an adj
ditional expense TO the New York Cen
tral lines east OF Buffalo Of approximately
$4,000 and to the lines west OF about
$4,000. or total OF 10000 per an
mum TO the system"
W. q. Besler vice president and gen
eral manager OF the New Jersey Central.
said that the full text OF the award had
been turned over TO the accounting de-
partment to figure out the exact cost of
the wage increase.
II is understood, however, with the Jer-
sey Central as well as all the Eastern
coal carrying railroads. including the
Reading and the Lehigh Valley. the adj
vance will be greater than with such
lines as the New York Central. This Is
said TO be due chiefly to the increase in
the wages OF trainment who work d.
rectly at the mines.
Frank Trumbull. chairman Of the
Chesapeake & Ohio. which is directly af-
fected by the wage award only on the
controlled Hooking Valley, expressed the
opinion that reference OF all wage dis
putes TO the Interstate Commerce Com
mission would be wise in the future.