Evening journal., 1918-02-19
RAILWAYS ADMIT
WAGE RISE NEED
Federal Commission Told
by Officials Employees
Deserve Increase
$1,000 LIMIT FOR
MANY WORKERS

WASHINGTON, Feb. i9.-The neces-
sity for Increased wages for railroad
employees was conceded yesterday by
representatives Of majority OF the
railroads Of the United states, appear
ing for the FIRST time before the Gov
ernments Railroad Wage Commission,
They said they came not TO oppose re-
quests Of the employees. but TO aid by
giving information.
"Omcials need no evidence that the
cost Of living has increased ana mat
the low-paid man needs assistance
during the war declared J. W. Hig-
gins. Of Chicago, executive secretary OF
The Western Association Of Railways.
Mr.. Higcinss assertion that the low
paid men should be helped drew from
secretary Lane, chairman OF the COM
mission. a query as TO what he consid-
cred a low-paid man.
Il would say that all men receiving
under $3.50 O month need more money
20 meet the advance in prices Of neces-
silies." Mr. Higgins replied. Perhaps
the limit Of those who need help should
b. raised TO $1,000 a year which seems
20 be the line drawn by the Government
In the incOme-tax law The greatest
advance should be given to the men
making less than 500 a month. Those
fellows must be having a strenuous
time
"The $1,000 limit would include all
lsborers. trainmen. brakemen, mechan-
les and clerks and a great many en-
gincers and conductors, said Mr. Lane.
All speakers were careful 10 state
that thr, made no distinction between
union members, and unorganized EN-
plOyes The course of wages. WAS de-
clafed 10 have been upward since 1910.
when the concerted form of demand
was FIRST used by the broiherhoods.
Especially since 1918, the ascending
trend has been noticeable. according TO
the speakers who endeaNOred 20 show
that an classes NJ employees have re-
ceived consideration In the matter OF
better paw. Mr. Walbcr said that
from January, 1916, TO the latter part
Of 1917, the pay Of skilled labor and
clerks increased 10 per cent. In the
eastern districts and unskilled labor
from 25 10 100 per cent. He declared
The tenure Of position was very con
slant In the railroad service and at
tributed to this the loyalty of many
employees who refused higher wages IN
Individual plants to remain with the
roads.
Between 1909 and 1915. Mr.. waIber
said engineers received wake increases
of 1873 per cent, lremen. 2j6i PEI
cent. conductors. 1882 per cent, anc
an other trainmon. 299i per cent, Tho
increase having been afforded in larg.
part by changes in the wage schedules
and to less degree by changes in the
rules.
Mr.. Higins said the average rate
of Increase for operating employees ir
the western district between 1909 anC
1918 had been 1928 per cent. since
that time the wage increase on nin'
representative roads had been sSii.Ol3,
O9i in 1916 for $4,000 men, and $50.
1862 in 1917 for $780, men, an aver
age for The two years of siil.e9 PEI
man. IF the ratio was true OF all th'
roads in the United states, he estimates
the total added 10 the payrons thi
wear would De between s2j00000O0 AM
soc 100000 OF the 1917 increase $40,
Q2i 900 wa said 90 have been obsorbe0
by the operation OF the eight-hour law