Evening journal., 1916-04-20
The RAILWAY WAGE SITUATION

Something over three hundred thou
sand train-service employees of Amer
lean railroads have presented to the
managers Of the various lines a con-
certed demand foF revision of the
existing wage schedule. They pro-
pose that the basis of their pay in all
but passenger service shall be eight
hours or less Of time or 100 miles OF
less Of distance, instead of the present
basis of ten hours or less of time or
100 miles or less of distance. Linked
with this is the demand that for all
overtime they shall receive time and
one-hali On its face this appears like
an attempt to establish an eight-hOur
day among the train men, As a mat
ter of fact, it amounts to a demand for
heavy increase in wages for reasons
that are clearly evident to anyone
familiar with railway operation
There are three theoretically posi-
bic ways in which the railroads could
comply with the demand:
CD. Reconstruct the roads with
shorter divisions so as to shorten the
time of the freight runs.
(2). Reduce the length Of trains 50
that they could run at higher speed to
escape the penalty Of overtime
49, Pay the increased wages un-
der present working conditions.
AS to the first of these theoretical
solutions. it may be explained that
every road of any considerable length
is laid out in a number OF divisions
and each Of these divisions has GER
tain terminals and yards necessary
for switching, handling and making
up trains. These have been construct
ed at great expense In order Ia
shorten the length of divisions to en-
able trains to cover them in less time
il would be necessary to relocate the
greater number of these yards and
terminals. This would be a tremen-
dously costly and difficult task. In
congested territory. such as is found
throughout the larger part Of the
Eastern United States, it would be a
practical impossibility. and i'm every
part OF the country IL would involve
waste Of many millions of capital
the cost OF which would have to be
paid ultimately by the public in higher
rates. or else many now solvent roads
would be forced into bankruptcy
AS an alternative to this. it has beer
suggested i'm support OF the demands
made by the men that the speed o.
trains should be increased. so that fol
example. a train which now covers &
division 100 miles long in ten hour:
could make the same run in eigh
hours. This. it is pointed out, woulC
involve no increase in pay to the
train crew.
For many years past the railroads
OF the country have been engaged II
herculean efforts TO introduce every
possible economy in operation. If i
we're feasible to increase the speed o
freight trains. and consist with safety
it would have been done by the rail
roads as a matter Of economy But.
may he objected. why should not thu
railroads cut their long freight Grains
i'm two and thereby enable them L
run at higher speed? To this thu
answer is obvious that by doubling thl
number of trains the number OF EN-
| nloyes. and consequently the wage bill
| Of the railroads for train service
would he doubled Multiplying thl
number Of trains would require NOR
! locomotives. and additional road. yari
and roundhouse facilities. Th
chances of delay and accidents wouli
| be correspondingly increased.
would menace the safety Of employe
and of the travelling public.