Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-12-31
INCREASE IN.
WAGES FOR.
RAILROADS.
EMPLOYEES.

SoSI1Ou AmpOrLauC maCCer
Before Administration
Some Lines to Be Stripped
Of Equipment.
~ ROBERT J. BENDER.
Washington. Doc. 81.-Director Gen.
srA AcAdoo will pay his 1900. 900 rail-
road employees more money.
This has besn definitely agreed upon
between President Wilson ana leaders
II the four great brotherhoods and
will cover increases for all employees,
whether members Of the brotherhoods
or not Tho government viii not meet
the fun 20 per cent increase demanded
BY the men. but an agreement is as
sured.
At . conference today between Nc
Adoo and the United States board of
mediation and oonciliation, a basis of
increase WAS expected to be finally de-
termineA
TO RELIEVE CONGESTION.
This question, together with action
to relieve congestion at the ports of
New York and Newport News. now
bearing the brunt Of the heavy export
freight shipments. is occupying Mo-
Adoo's sttent ton to the exclusion Of
other problems now.
His plan is to divert Immediately
freight directed to these points and
send it to Boston and Philadelphia. The
long haul Of freight from the central
part of the country for which the east
ern roads have been actively bidding,
will be eliminated entirely and all such
shipments will go to New Orleans and
other southern points which have been
practically idle.
The government win pay higher
wages just as It did when the shipping
board advanced the scale In shipyards
While the new rates will be paid
through the present railroad offices,
the government will supply the addi-
tional money because the guaranteed
average net railroad income Of the past
three years cannot in most cases.
cover the raise.
INCREASE NOT DETERMINED.
The amount of the increase has not
been determined. but President Wilson
has assured the men their requests
will be fairly dealt with"
The mediation board ask ed McAdoo
to be permitted to represent him in
conferences with brotherhood leaders
The railroads will not figure in the
conferences unless as . tolerant third
party because only the public and tho
employees are directly concerned. The
railroad security holders are protected
by the governments net income guar
antee.
McAdoo may act personally for
speed, without awaiting mediation, al
though the brotherhood leaders were
reconcfled at their recent conference
with President Wilson to 90 days de-
lay. They will learn McAdoo's decis-
with him scheduled for later this week.
MORE EQUIPMENT NEEDED.
His order No. 1. pooling equipment
and terminals In one national system.
disregarding corporate advantage. re-
mains to be worked out. It did not in
crease rolling stock. Railroad experts
say trying to handle all available
freight today with present equipment
Is like trying to crowd a quart into a
pint bottle.
McAdoo is already turning his at
tention to financing shipments In ter
minals and equipment. Some of the
1900 locomotives under order In Amer
Z lean plants by foreign governments
will be requisitioned. Some lines will
be stripped of engines and freight cars,
which will be placed into service in
congested territory.
Many passenger coaches will be con-
verted into freight cars.
Additional terminal facilities and
storehouses will be constructed at tide
water ports and at the big inland rail-
way centers. 1t will be weeks, prob
ably months, before the common use
of present terminals at New York,
Jersey City and Chicago can be
worked out.
ACTION 6Y CONGRESS.
Many steps must wait on congress
sional sanction. This legislation is be-
ing framed today to cover the finances
and problems resulting from the
change to government control This
legislation will include:
Congressional authorization to
compensate the railroads annually
on basis Of the net operating In
come OF the last three years.
Appropriations for new ware
houses and other needed improve
ments.
Authorization for steps the gov
eminent must take to unity the
systems further than McAdoo has
yet gone or to legalize some steps
he may take in the emergency.
Laws to protect the travelling
and shipping public from losses
now bourne by the railroads them
solves.
" ss the heisef ~ constitutiorn, law