The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-11-04

III HI llLE UDLlUhN lIlLlllDLllu
OF THE BR0THERH00DS;
In an article appearing in the Parkersburg Sentinel
of October 18Th Mr. w Jet Lauck economic expert and
chief satistican for the railroad brotherhoodS made
statement DENYING that the railroad managers could I'M
der the AdamSon law pay their passenger engineers by
the hour instead of by mileage as IS the present custom
Mr. Lauck's statement is as follows:
''T'he Adamson Law does not substitute hours
for distance or miles as basis Of payment. BY
the terms of the AdamSon Law eight IS sub
slituted for ten hours in existing agreements
between the railroads and their employees: This
is the express provision of the law, and PreSI-
dent Wilson specifically SO stated IN his actress
10 Congress. Employees may take either hours
or miles for any trip as has been the custom
hitherto.
For the benefit of the Republican members OF the
Brohcrhoods. we submit that this statement is mslead
ing 10 say Ire least and hold that the railroads not only
have The right 10 put the passenger engineers ana oher
rainmcn who receive pay on mileage basis on an
eight hor basis. but under the AdamSon Law VIII De
COMPELLED so 10 do.
From Mr. Laucks statement ii would appear that
passenger engineers are excepted IN the AdamSon Law
and That they take either hours or miles as The meas
ure Of a days work.
Let us refer 10 the law itself 10 see whether or not
this is true and let us first ascertain what employees
are affected by the Adamson Law.
To quoe from section one the law includes AL NJ
Err BE ACTU ALLY ENGAGED IN ANY CAPACITY
IN THE OPERATION OF TRAINS USED FOR LIE
TRANSPORTATION OF PERSONS OR PROPERLY
ON RAILROADS, Etc.
II does not say, mark YOU. 'All employees with the
EXCEPTION OF PASSENGER TRAINMEN.' but plain
~ includes ALL employees without exception who are
engaged in The operation Of trains.
Furthermore. section one states clearly, leaving no
possibility of misunderstanding, That, beginning Janu-
arv 1st 1917. EIGHT HOURS SHALL. IN CONTRACTS
FOR LABOR AND SERVICE. BE DEEMED \ DAYS
WORK. AND THE MEASURE OR STANDARD OF A
DAYS WORK. FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECK0N!NG
THE COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES OF ALL EN-
PLOYEES.'
Does the law say that eight hours SHALL in contracts
for labor and service, be deemed days work and the
CEPTION OF THE PASSENGER TRAINdEN, and thai
they may continue TO receive pay on mileage basis?
states that EIGHT HOURS SHALL BE DEEMED !
DAYS WORK AND THE MEASURE OR STANDARD
OF A DAYS WORK for the purpose OF reckoning tEt
compensation for services of ALL employees.
Now lei us see what the Adanson Law says with rel
erence 10 compensation. This is included IN section
three of the law, which reads as follows:
THAT PENDING the report Of the commission here
in provided for and for period OF 30 DAYS thereafter
tie compensation Of employees SUBJEST TO THIS ACT
for standard eghthour work day shall not be reduced
below the present standard days wage and for all neceS
sary time in excess Of eight hours such employees shall
be paid rate not less than the pro rata rate for such
standard eighthour work day.
To summarize we find, NOT By MAKING VAGUE
STATEMENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF MISLEAD-
ING THE READER. But BY SIMPLY READING THE
ADAMSON LAW ITSELF, that this law makes the fol
lowing provisions, without exception or qualification:
FIRST That eight hours SHALL BE TIE STAND
ARD WORK DAY, with pro rata for overtime
SECOND. That ALL employees are included,
THIRD That compensation Of ALL EMPLOYEES
SUBjECT TO THIS ACT for a STANDARD EIGHT
HOUR WORK DAY shall not be reduced below the pres
lent standard days wage pending The report of the COM
mission.