The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-05-12
THE E~IGHr-HouR DAY.

COuTI1dt. OuF OeWSD0
pers throughout the United State,
are making some very elaborate
statements and figures shown,
what a heavy cost or increase,
expenditure it will make to civ,
the transportation men the eight
hour day and time-and-one-haI
for over time.
On page 345 of the April Jour
nal is printed the statement of tn,
Railway Age Gazette of Mr.. VIII
lard inviting Congressional inves
tlgation of our demand. Thi.
would be a pleasing investigation
If all the matters of rail.
reading were contained in the in.
vestlgation. If an investigation
Is necessary we should have an
investigation of all the is hour
violations since that law went into
effect, and how much money was
palo out in fines for these viola
tions~
Now, brothers, 10 show why we
want the eight-holr day and time
and-one-half for over time: It
used to be we we're called into
the office for 80 lours over time
made in a month; now they don't
want you in befor, your is hours
are up, because you are dragging
all the engine can move and the
last hour doesn't cost the compa-
ny a cent more thin the first hour.
Then they cut you off for rest,
and 1t costs the company nothing
and they don't CAFE how you get
your rest or if yol don't get any.
In case they deadlcad you into a
terminal, this de.dhead time is
deducted from your rest period
and you are available in eight
hours from the tine you were cut
off or relieved 1t too often &C.
ours that you are available when
you get to the terminal, and
they use you aga.
The l6-hour Law says we not be
kept on duty in access of is hours
except in case of tie railroad tied
up or blocked ul by an act of
Providence, such S flood, storms,
forest fire, or fror any cause not
the act of man. low if cars de-
rail from bad trae or defective
cars, or improper loading, or any
cause where crew are delayed by
the main track locked, this is
considered an actof Providence
and We are instituted to proceed
to a terminal on amessage to ex-
coed is hours.
If a yard mastr has loaded or
empty cars en,ugh in his yard
for one-half atonage train he
can't run it, even if the power is
needed at the other end of the
road. He RUS the power light
and lets the slippers freight lie
for the full tonge. He must have
100 per cent Q. over in tonnage on
each engine ort cuts his efficient
cy. Cars held o in this way DON'T
seem to be any value until they
are finally plaed on the con-
signee's track, ten it is subject
to a demurrage barge of a day.
Now all eyes on he car pay the
dollar a day demrrage, but no b,
one cares or thins what it would !:
be if the car had been delivered I
a week before TIT date and the /,
car was hauling he second reve-
nue. load. Il
The old time eneral manaqer I
and president I'D to do this or 6
his road wouldn pay for the i'm 7
provements he had to make. i
What the public ants is its freight I
delivered, and vat we want is a g
decent day in hers and pay, and e
If it doesn't com soon the public $
will get wise an put up a Ship
per's demurraeebill which will i
set a daily mileae or a refund on q
the freight bill, hen you will see t
the dust fly.
There is not aailroad in this +,
country that cat haul a reason. Ii
able train over s road in eight Y
hours and not ave to pay the g
at all, Id they will get v
more revenue o of the cars. ii
On the subject CLOSED Shop" h
will say, Bro. C. Woodlands "