National news. (Chicago, Ill.) 1915-19??, 1915-12-31
BGHTHOURDAY
FOR THE RAIL-:
. ROAD MEN
| R. Publicity Agents
nsrepresenting
he Facts
~ Val Fitzpatrick. Vice-President
0sstAeshood Of Railway Trainmen.)

~ Val Fitzpatrick. Viee-President
ostheFhood Of Railway Trsinmen.)
he four train service Brotherhood
- launched a movement for an
4 a-hour basic work-day. There ap-
~ to b. some difference Of opinion
= y what such proposal involves,
nefore, II may be seasonable to say
- there is quite difference be
na IN eigh, hour work day and an
- a-Aour basic work day.
n first eontemplates that eight
- shall be the maximum working
=. and AS rule where the eight
= vork-day obtains through con-
- relations between employer and
osyees, it is the constant endeavor
ssvent working overtime except in
, Of necessity. II appears that
Of the men IN the train asvvi~s
, Of the opinion that this is the
eeeaal of the organisations. How
this is not the case. The second.
- eight-hour basic work day. con
nplAtes that eight hours shall BE-
basis for days work and any
y in excess thereof shall be paid
- overtime. consequently. under
y . provision there is no limit to
? hours worked. The latter system
NE one proposed by the train ser
- Brotherhoosis and is in accord
d the action taken by the delegates
tAe Eleventh Biennial Convention
~ Brotherhood Of Railroad Train
kM
u appears that the eight hour basic
sosal has precipitated consterna-
= among the employers and the big
aaeisl interests who deal in railroad
eks and bonds, and it 10 to be ex
eeesd that the s. o. s. call will be
= out to the different railroad labor
sans, the railroad press agents and
er railroad mouthpieces to launch
4 pfopaganda to solicit public senti-
et by bewailing the ruinous effects
reducing working hours and increas-
= wages unless an increase in rates
allowed. They give glaring prom
nence TO the fact that il rates are in
lseased. the public will have to bear
'se burden. Judging from the atti-
'ssae of the railroads toward all form
: movements by the employees to bet
II wages and working conditions, II
70 be reasonably expected that every
seans will be exhausted to throw mud
Nd dlscredit the present, benefcent
sdeavor to secure an eight-hour
esic work day. BY highly colored
lsblieity and statistical contortionism,
Aey will contrive to prove that the
Aen in the train service of the Ameri-
IN railroads work under better con
,t'ons and receive higher salaries
Aan any other class in the world.
To carry on Just such a propagan-
rs this, the railroads have found
expedient within recent times. to
nploy high-claas literary agents to
rite headliners and articles designed
create = feeling of esprit de corps
tween the railroads and the public.
hey have established at least three |
bor bureaus for the purpose Of hand /
v every phase Of wage schedules.
The press agents are doing their
ork well, for there is . marked
lange in the attitude Of the public
ward the railroads. Formerly, the
'evailing sentiment was that the
lilroads should be operated on busi-
'ss-like lines, that the capitaliIa-
N should be commensurate to the
'taal money invested and that all re-
ting and favoritism should cease.
y present sentiment is. let the rail-
'ads alone, stop all agitation against
nm, give them . chance to increase
lsir rates and declare larger divi-
lads.
This change Of sentiment In preju-
rial both 70 tAe public and to the
tcsatinssd on psgs ~