El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-03-28

1HEN the railroads recently acceded to the demands
NA/ the railroad brotherhoods for immediate
lishment Of the eight hour day and for overtime
pay, thereby averted the threatened nation wide rail-
road strike their action hailed demonstration Of
patriotism
railroad representatives New York conference
which these representatives. committee of the council
for national defence and representatives Of the brothhoods
participated announced that they acceding the de-
msnds at the urgent request of the defence committee out
Of regard for the critical international situation Their
position correctly stated There reason 10 believe
from the previous attitude Of the railroad managements
that they would have stood firm against the demands Of the
brOtherhoOds and would have stood strike the strike
had fighting best they could That they
preparing shown plainly by the advertise
ents which appeared throughout country days
before the called, which the ra
roads asked that of railroad experience apply for
positions.
As a matter OF TACT the supreme courts ruling the
Adamson law would have operated end the strike, had
for the supreme upheld the constitution
atty Of the Adamson law which contained provisions for the
eight hour day and for overtime payment agreeable to the
unions.
However, the patriotism OF the railroads granting the
face of national emergency open TO
question. It plainly demonstrated
Now the call for patriotism passed from the rail-
roads to the people OF the country for is they and not the
railroads. who viii have pay the increased of rail
road operation If present indications prove correct.
The railroads of the United States applying for
general increase freight yet be determined but
probably ranging from 10 to 20 percent Their
being presented before the interstate commission
with the request that the usual long period of investigation
be dispensed with order that the railroads may begin
receiving the additional possible
Not only the railroads applying the interstate
commission for general increase rates for inter
state shipments but they intending the application
granted into the and ask
IN rates intTaState shipments we'll
Thus II the applications be granted industry, every
merchant and every individual OF whatever occupation
cvng goods by freight pay much higher thereon
The increase freight will all likelihood be added
by merchants and others price the goods they
for sale and the ultimate consumer Will pay.
Do lose sight of that fact The ultimate consumer
the who pays the household groceries, clothing
furniture and forth will pay the 100000 wage increase
which the railroads say the eight hour law means if the
increase in freight is allowed More than that, the
ultimate will pay for the higher materials fuel
rails ties machinery which the railroads include
for asking the higher freight rates.
An idea Of how much higher proposed make
gathered from the of B. Bush
Of the Missouri Pacific before the interstate
mittee.
To increases IN wages and materials already eec-
tive he said advances IN rates would have be made by
the southwestern lines follows:
Missouri Pacific percent; Frisco TO- Cotton Belt z4;
Missouri, Kansas and Texas 21 Chicago Rock Island
Pacific, 1so
The question arises whether not the increased
rates should be allowed The railroads properly contend
that service must be maintained high standards par
tcuarly the nation to be They say this high
standard impossible Of maintenance freight
raised in accordance with their application They cite
further that in of government requirements
the transportation Of troops and materials will necessitae
the cutting OF Of large share of commercial business.