New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-25
Rate Increase Only Alternative.


That leaves open to them only the
nossibilitv Of rate Increases. In TINS
connection President Wilson has taken
stens To insure the passage in the Sen
ate of the bill already passed by the
Vouse increasing the membership OF
Tho Interstate Commerce Commission
from seven 10 nine members. Inc
President has assured the railroads, so
far as any President can make such as
ourauccs. that he would use his per-
sonal influence with the commission TO
secure rate increases If an investlga-
ton that he proposes justities such IN
II is Just at this point that the rail
roads balk. The commission Is a JUDI
cial body. It reaches its decisions on
the merits OF a case as II is presented
from both sides. The railroad eXecu-
tives feel sure that if the commission
ers thought they were being driven by
the President it would prejudice the
railroads case to such an alarming eX,
tent that relief from that quarter would
be almost hopeless.
Then again the greatest stumbling
block along the road of getting future
insurance the fact that President
Wilson is by no means certain OF
reelection. Supposing that the Presi-
dent was unable TO get any promised
legislation through a Congress at TINS
session and at the next short session,
and supposing that he rs no reelected,
what hone have they the railroads ask,
Of realizing on the promises Of Wilson.
While Mr.. Hughes if elected might
carry out any promises made to the
railroads the latter have no guarantee
that he would. Therefore the eNecu-
tives have come to the conclusion that
thew must secure radical changes IN
the Presidents settlement plan unless
their visit 10 Washington is 70 result
only in a $50,0O0,0O wage increase TO
one-scventh of their employees.
Railroad Service Different.
Although none Of the railroad Off
ciais would discuss in detail their coun-
ter proposal, they pointed out signih-
cantiv that an eight-hour working day
as such was applicable to other indus
tries. but not to men in train service
tbat is. when in other industries the
working day is cut down from ten or
nine TO eiglr hours the employees re-
ceiye for the shorter working day the
same pay that they formerly got TINS
plan is based on the idea that the
shorter working day makes for greater
efficiency.
on the other hand, in train service
railroad runs remain practically stable.
A ten-hour run is a ten-hOur run. II
cannot be cut 10 an eight-hour run
without radical changes IN operating
schedules, equipment, train loads and
terminal facilities. =,
Because Of this difference the rail-
road heads contend that President Will
sons application Of the eight-hour rule
10 train service cannot mean shorter
day for employees. Ii means only that a
train service employees wages are meas
ured according 10 an eight-hour rule
instead of ten-hour rule.
In other words, his overtime begins
a. the end of the eight hours, instead
Of AT the end Of the tenth hour; II is
% per cent more than at present and
his hours of work are not shortened in
the least.
These two considerations the ina
bility OF President Wilson 20 deliver on
whatever promises he makes and the
impracticabiity of applying real
eight-hour working day 10 railroad ser
viee--are the determining factors Of
the new proposal that the roads intend
10 submit. Whether the changes IN the
Wilson proposal will be acceptable TO
the men is an uncertain proposition.
The brotherhoods chiefs said positively
tonight that President Wilson had
promised them absolutely that there