Evening star., 1917-11-09
ANNOUNCES BONUS
{. Of 2CENTS AN HOUR
Increase in Pay by W., R. and
E. Company Affects Approx
imateIy 900 Men.

Another relief measure superinduced ps
the high cost OF living was announced
today. when the Washington Railway ana
Electric Company posted notice at It's
barns and informed the public utilities
commission that beginning November IS,
and until further notice. 1t will pay a
bonus OF cents an hour to its motor
men and conductors. The increase az
fects approximately 900 men.
This is the third boost In its wage scale
made by the company during the past
year 1t involves an addition to Its an
nual pay roll Of about $4,000. as did each
OF the other two raises. the total increase
for the year being about S150,000.
First Raise Made in March.
The first increase in the wage scale
took place last March, at the time OF
the street car strike, when contracts
for the payment Of from "a to 80 cents
an hour. The previous wages had
ranged from 23is to 27 cents an hour.
In July the contracts were altered pS
4 further Increase. by which tne MINI
mum pay wss established at rs cents
an hour and the maximum at 81 cents.
The new scale. just made public. ranges
ranges from % to "a cents, when means
that within the year the minimum pay
has jumped from 2SI* cents to 2S cents
an hour. and the maximum from 81 to
"a cents an hour.
The new scale is as follows: Less
than one year in service. 2s cents an
hour: second year, 20 cents: third year.
30 cents: fourth and fifth years 81
cents: sixth and seventh years. 81 cents;
eighth. ninth and tenth years, 80 cents,
and over ten years. "a cents.
Statement by Mr.. King.
In making this further advance"
said President Clarence +. King today.
the management Of the company real
ICES that the high cost of food. clothing
and all other living necessities makes
it difficult for its employees to get along.
No additional service whatever will be
required of the men. the bonus being
a voluntary gift BY the company
President King stated that the com
pany is making every effort to comply
with the schedules adopted by the pub
lie utilities commission. but that the
scarcity of labor daily is becoming
more serious problem. From twenty
five to thirty motormen and conductors
are being employed every week to take
the places of those who resign. he stat
ed, whereas. formerly. there were but
two employment days week. and 1t is
with the greatest difficulty that It can
man all the cars which must be op-
Grated if the schedules are complied
with.
Condition Due to War.
1t was pointed out by President King
that this labor situation has obtained
since the war began. and the increase
in government activities OF every kind
as the war progresses. he said. con-
stantly is making it more difficult for
the company to comply with Its sched-
ules. although it has the rolling stock
available and is making every effort to
get sufficient men to operate it.
An official Of the public utilities COM
mission today said that the commission
realizes fully the situation that both
the Washington Railway and Electric
and Capital Traction companies are in.
with respect to complying with re-
quired schedules. under q serious labor
shortage condition. While penalties are
provided for failure to comply with or
ders of the commission concerning
service to be rendered. the commission,
it was stated. takes into account the
fact that present conditions are abb
normal.