Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-11-14
Big Raise.
Asked of
Railroads
Employees Want Average
of AZ Per Cent Increase
and Say They'll Strike
Unless They Get It.

Cleveland, O., Nov. 14.-Railroad
and brakemen on all roads
of the United States were casting Sc
cret ballots today on the proposition
of demanding wage increases averag-
Ing AZ per cent.
w. @. Lee, president of the Brother
hood Of Railway Trainmen, admitted
the vote was being taken.
THIS VOTE, 1T is SAID, is PRE-
TO A STRIKE VOTE
WHICH WILL FOLLOW IF THE
RAILROADS REFUSE TO GRANT
THE DEMANDS.
HEAVY INCREASES.
The proposed increases for lines
east of Chicago would amount to s4S,-
O0o, 900 a year, and for the entire
country to 100000, 900.
The men involved include $4,000
passenger train employees, $4,000
brakemen and 5000 yardmen.
I'VE have thousands Of men earning
only $3.50 a day." said w. S. Carter,
president Of the Brotherhood of Rail
road Firemen and Enginemen.
BY END OF MONTH.
Lee said half a dozen separate
points, all relating to wage scales,
have been submitted to the men, and
that result of the vote can be ex-
pected "by the end of the month"
Asked whether he thought the rail-
roe afP ND 20 1a ~ dnh
wages, Lee said:
4 don't know about that; but can
the men go hungry"
LET THE PUBLIC PAY IT.
He then indicated that the railroad
employees expect increased revenues,
either in passenger fares or freight
rates, to take care of any wage in
crease.
IF THE RAILROADS CAN'T AF-
FORD TO PAY LIVING WAGES, LET
THE GOVERNMENT SET IN MO-
TION ITS 0ACHINERY. Let the in
terstate commerce commission adjust
rates. Great Britain has solved the
problem.
Thousands OF railroad employees are
drawing from $6s to SIS a month. This
vote was brought about by a desire to
get better pay for them. Every one
knows that the cost of living has
jumped 80 to 100 per cent and these
poorly paid men are hit hard"
Lee said the vote will concern the
wages OF all classes Of men, but par
ticularly brakemen, firemen and bag
gagemen.
LAW LITTLE HELP.
The s-hour law, Lee said. while
shortening the day, did not in many
instances grant better pay, because the
railroads have been able to adapt
themselves to the shorter day, elimin-
ating overtime.
This is the big ISSUE" said Lee
The railroad employees are as patrl-
otic as any class in the United States
But you must keep their stomachs full
II you want them to help win the war;
GOVERNMENT CONTROL.
Lee intimated strongly the brother
hoods would welcome any "unusua
measures to operate the railways" re-
ferred to by the president. He cited
the present condition in England
where, he said, the British government
Is Ill aDSOiulS COutIOi VI Tic
and is insuring both the companies
and the men profits and adequate
wages.
The presidents letter has been ir
Lees hands since Judge Chamber.
conferred with the brotherhood head.
at the presidents request.
Il do not wish to state what the
points in the letter are to which W,
take exceptions" said Lee. ANY sucl
statement, made prior to our confer
ence with the president might be mis-
understood by him. We asked Judg,
Chambers several questions he couldn'
answer. and he put them up to tn,
president. He then asked to see us
| or course, we are glad to see him."
"Such an arrangement as England
has" said Lee, would mean solidit!
for union men,"