The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-10-14
iscssed bv Senator Warren G. HARDING Carroll Club Sau
The IGNORED EIGHTY Per CENT.
Of Railroad Employees Were Refused Even the Courtesy OF
Hearing by President Wilson.

Of Railroad Employees Were Refused Even the Courtesy Of
Hearing by President Wilson.
The Adamson wage increase BILL falsely designated as
an worday measure forced through Congress by
the President under threats of the Broherhood of Railway
Tranmen covered only 20 per cent of the railroad employees
of the country The so that Ignored by the
President have Just spoken In signed statement just
issued from the Chicago headquarters of the Employers
Eighty Cent Movement Robert T. Frazier, Jr and j.
W. Walden tell of their futile efforts to persuade President
Wilson to consider the of the 100000 employees who
members of the four broherhood affected by the
wageincrease bill. The statement reads:
During the negotiations following the strike threat of
the $4,000 men the railway labor organizations it
became apparent that President Wilson thoroughly in
sympathy with their demand for 10 hours pay for eight
hours work. or less.
Realizing this fact we endeavored constantly for three
weeks place before President Wilson the of the 80
cent of railway employees not in the train service
Either together sngy were daily at the White
House during the period given mainly by the President
to consideration of the railway situation
President Refused Them Hearing.
president Wilson would not receive your representa-
ves although fully of presence and purpose to
ask for fair and impartial treatment for all railway employees
in any legislation that might be enacted.
THE President persisted in his determination to
the 25 per cent wage increase disguised eighthour
day. for the $4,000 brotherhood members and to give
consideration to the interests of the other l500O00 railway
employees.
Later copies of the petition with thousands of sigma
lures which mailed to the President, apparently
ceived no attention from him.
From the fact that conference of the President with
the Board managers
did not all of his time any of the days during that
long period loss to understand why he would not
hear side of the case. ~"
Plain Statement of Facts
we feel in duty bound to give you these facts as to the
Adamson law.
H. It applies only to class of railroad employees
the small class engaged in railway train service.
% It does not attempt to establish real elghthour
workday for this class but merely eghthour pay day.
SO. It does not require any employe to work eight
hours day nor restrain him from working any number Of
hours under 16.
- It provides that after January employees In train
service shall receive for eight hours work the present pay
for ten hours This nothing but 25 per cent in
crease in wages for those working eight hours or longer
5 It absolutely ignores the rights the welfare and
even the existence of the other 80 per cent OF railway EN-
ployes.
6 By voting 25 per cent increase of wages to 20 per
cent of the railway employees and these the very highest paid
men in the service it necessarily renders it difficult
even impossible for the railway companies to make improve
ens in the wages and conditions of work Of the oer so
per cent
I'VE think that the enactment Of the Adamson
law under attendant circumstances is in accordance with
the fundamental principles of the American nation and be-
ieve that nasmuch the government has taken jurisdiction
of the matter we should citizens appeal to the President
and CONGRESS of the session Of Congress- and insist that
all railway employees be considered and commission ap
pointed to investigate all hours Of service and wages OF all
such employees.
''Although the President holding lengthy confer
ences daily with the brotherhood leaders, he would not re-
ceve your representatives for few minutes to present
to him the petition signed by $4,000 railway employees and
to ask for Justice the remainder of the unorgazed 80
per cent