Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1916-06-14
BR01AERAO0DS PAY
FOR HUMAN WRECkACE
Millions Are Paid From Their
Salaries to Widows and
Orphans.
Cleveland, O., June Is, 1916.

NAo"eAduus w. June ID 1910.
The following statement was issued
today by the four Transportation Broth
erhoods' who are campaigning jointly
for an eight-hour day.
Who pays for the depreciation in hu-
man life the result Of railway opera
ton?
When a car or locomotive is smashed
up. a fund has been provided for it's re-
newal. but when in the same wreck. an
engineer. fireman. conductor or brake
man has been crushed out of all SEM
blance to his former self. the other en-
ployes Of these classes whose time has
not yet come, dig down into their pock-
wreckage.
The comman law doctrine Of "assumed
risk" has been forced on railroad en-
ployes as part Of their compensation.
To use Western expression, they have
been educated to expect Ito die with
their boots on"
In no other industry is the occupa-
tional hazard SO great as in the making
up and transportation Of railway trains.
The railroad industry, however. reflects
no recognition Of this hazard in the
wages Of its employees.
The records of the Brotherhood of Lo-
connective Firemen and Enginemen show
that it has paid out to its members for
deaths and disabilities. the sum Of $751;
09,167.75. More than 60 per cent Of
all deaths and disabilities Of members Of
this organization are caused by railroad
accidents.
During the year 1915, the members
Of the Brotherhood Of Locomtive Engi-
neers were compelled to contribute the
great sum of $2,270,279.92-to the Wild
ows and orphans Of its members who
were killed during that one year and
on account Of injuries and disabilities
incurred.
The members Of the Brotherhood of
Railroad Trainmen during the year of
1915, paid out from their meager earn
ings, on account Of members killed and
disabled in service, the sum Of $2.421,-
55S.17.
Members Of the Order Of Railway
Conductors put up $1,761, 417.49-for
the relief Of their human wreckage in
1915.
The extra hazardous nature of the
employe on a freight train, makes alb
surd, any comparison Of wages receiv-
ed. with railway clerks, section hands
and other employees.
Considering the fact that train en-
ployes are the most skilled Of all rail-
road wage earners and that they must
pay out such enormous sums as above
on account of human wreckage", they
are entitled to a work day sufficiently
short to enable them to perform their
ardous duties with g. rested body and
brain.
Freight train crews should at least
receive as much as Isl paid in other
trades, so that they could better afford
to meet the losses occasioned by deaths
and injuries Of their members.
It is certain that a reduction In the
hours Of labor with proper rest and le-
cuperation will better fortify the hui
man mind and body against accidents
Of q personal nature and men in freight
train service are now determined to
have shorter work day and to have
their working conditions approximate
as far as possible,- that which obtains
in other trades.
Railroad officials claim that If the
demands of the train crews are granted,
it will mean an enormous increase in
wages paid and that the cost Of any in
crease will fall upon the public.
If the officials really believe this, why
their strenuous opposition? Does the
history Of railroading show any IN
stance of any great anxiety on the part
Of the railroads to protect the public?
The officials also make statements
that the cost will come out Of the pocl-
cts of the stockholders and in the next
breath they claim that the cost will fall
upon the farmer and shipper.
The employees claim that the truth
Of the matter is, that there will be lit
tie or no increase in cost by granting
an eight-hour day and in proof Of this
claim, they cite the fact that sworn
statements Of the railroads in the re-
cent Federal arbitration case in Chicago.
show that IS per cent Of through and
irregular freight trains now make the
basic division of 100 miles in less than
eight hours, which would leave only
% per cent of trains whose speed would
have to be accelerated in order to avoid
the payment Of overtime.