Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-08-29


sssss.,
Railway Presidents Statement.
This statement to the public wa
issued by the committee of railway
presidents: T. $50
We are unable after the most eafiss
est consideration to agree with thep
posal Of the President Of the United
States which is that we accept witl-
out arDItrat1on the substitution OF an
eight-hour day for the present ten-hoAlr
day in all of the existing practices and
agreements This is the main point In
controversy and we cannot surrendef3t
without an opportunity to be heard IN
the form of fair arbitration. !, se~
we do not assent to the statement
that the eight-hour day now undouht-
edly has the sanction Of the judgment
society has not yet recorded its jude-
ment upon the subject.
Conditions Control Service. -
I'VE are not In this controversy. hove
ever. dealing with the conditions relkf-
ing to the eight-hour day in the induS-
trial world. ~ss
The difference between the eight
ing interests and in the railroad tf11n,
service day has been fully explainSd.
The railroad day Is q basis for compt4f-
ing pay and overtime. the length sAf
daily service being controlled by vaFi-
able conditions.
THE demands involved in this cdn-
troversy have not been presented. In
our Judgment, for the purpose of fixing
a definite daily period of labor nor
reduction in the existing hours OF .1a-
bor or change in methods ~
operation. but tor the real purpose ~
accomplishing aa increase in wages OF
approximately 100000 900 per annuf1,
or 35 per cent. for the men in railroad
freight train and yard service represent
ed by the labor organizations in this
matter. ~
After careful examination Of the
facts and patient and continuous consut-
tation with the conference COMMITTEES OF
managers and arnong ourselves. we h4yn
reached a clear understanding Of the
magnitude Of the questions and Of tlIa
serious consequences to the railroads and
to the public involved in decision OF
them. so
Trustees for the Public.
"As trustees for the public served
by our lines and for the great mass OF
the less powerful employees mot less
than so per cent of the whole numbef)
interested in the railroad wage fund.-
as trustees also FOR the millions of peo.
pie that have invested their savings ana
capital in the bonds and stock of these
banks. trust companies and insurance
companies are vitally interested to the
extent of millions of dollars in the In.
tegrity and solvency of the railroads ~
the country, we cannot in conscienc4
surrender without a hearing the prihs
ciple involved nor undertake to transfAr
the enormous cost that will result to
the transportation of the commerce OF
the country.
The eight-hour day without punitivs
overtime involves an annual increass
in the aggregate $60.-
900, 900, and an increase Of more than
20 per cent in the pay of tmen already
the most highly paid in the transporta-
ton service. -
'The ultimate cost to the railroads -
an admission in this manner Of the
principle under contention cannot now
be estimated: the effect upon the efi-
cheney of the transportation Of the.
country now already under severe test
under the tide of business now NOV
Ing, and at a time when more instee6
Of less effort is required for the pubs.
lie welfare. would be- harmful beycn&
-
Effect Upon Industries.
"The widespread effect upon the IN
dustries Of the country as a whole
beyond measure or appraisement at this
time, and we agree with the insistent
and widespread public concern over the
of the situation and the cons
sequence of surrender by the railroads
in this emergency. ,ss
I'm like MANNER we are deeply tnis
pressed with the sense of our resp1fr
,ibility to maintain and keep open th9
lrteries of transportation, which carry
he lifeblood of the commerce OF the
country, and of the consequences t44t
will flow from even a temporary intekS
.uption of service over the railroadp.
,ut the issues presented have been
.aised above and beyond the social
md monetary questions involved, and the
. esnonsihility for the consequences tha
nay arise will rest upon those theS
provoke it"
say Questions Should Be ArbitratsA
.'The questions involved are in our .rok
,pectful Judgment, eminently suitable for
he calm investigation and decision by $h0
public through the agency of fair arbi-
ration, and cannot be disposed of, to the
public satisfaction. in any other manner.
The decision of a commission or board Of
arbitration, wing the public confideneA.
will be accepted by the public and the lpS
,ial and financial rearrangements made
Iecessary thereby will be undertaken ~
he public. but III no less deliberate ndr
,rderly manner. s.stct
.iThe railroads of the country can.
OF under present conditions ASSUME
his enormous increase in their ex-c
enses. If imposed upon them 1t woulAk
lvolve many in early financial emb9Tr
assment and bankruptcy and imperils
he power of all to maintain their.
redit and the integrity of their ~
urfties.J The immediate increase aAS
pst. followed by other increaoes tign6r
rould be inevitable would substax{st
ally appropriate the present purch&9s.
,R power of the railroads and disahN
hem from extending and improving
heir facilities and equipment. to kss6