The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1918-03-14
GOVERNMENT CONTROL
new ERA FOR RAILROADS
M'ADOo ISSUES NEW ORDER AND
CALLS FOR PATRIOTIC co.
OPERATION OF ALL.

Local railroad officials have receiV-
ed the following important and in
spring order from Director General
McAdoo:
ITO correct wrong impressions that
may exist regarding the employment
and conditions of labor in railway
service, it is, until further order di-
rected that:
a. All acts of congress to promote
the safety of employees and travellers
upon railroads, including acts requir
ing investigation of accidents on rail-
roads, and orders of the interstate
commerce commission made in ac-
cordance Herewith, must be fully
complied with. These acts and orders
refer to hours of service, safety ap-
planes and inspection.
Now that the railroads are in the
possession and control of the govern
ment, it would be futile to impose
fines for violations of said laws and
orders upon the government, there
fore it will become the duty of the di-
rector general in the enforcement of
said laws and orders to impose pun
ishments for willful and inexcusable
violations thereof upon the person or
persons responsible therefor, such
punishment to be determined by the
facts in each case.
%. When the exigencies of the SER
vice require it, or when a sufficient
number of employees in any depart
nent are not available to render the
public prompt transportation service,
employees will be required to work a
reasonable amount of overtime. So
far as efficient and economic opera
ton will permit, excessive hours of
employment will not be required OF
employees.
Wage Adjustment.
"3. The broad question of wages
and hours will be passed upon and re-
ported to the director general as
promptly as possible by the present
railroad wage commission. Pending a
disposition of these matters by the
director general, all requests of en-
pioyes involving revisions or general
changes in conditions affecting wages
and hours, will be held in allegiance
by both the managers and employees.
Wages, when determined upon, will be
made retroactive to January |, 1918,
and adjusted accordingly. Matters of
controversy arising under the inter-
pretations of existing wage agree
ments and other matters not relating
to wages and hours will take their
usual course, and in the event of in
ability to reach a settlement will be
referred to the director general.
"a. In order No. /, issued December
q, 1917, the following appeared:
All officers. agents and employees
of such transportation systems may
continue in the performance of their
present regular duties, reporting to
the same officers as heretofore and on
the same terms of employment
The impression seems to exist on
some railroads that the said order was
intended to prevent any change in the
terms of employment during govern
mental operation. The purpose of the
order was to confirm all terms of en-
ployment existing upon that date, but
subject to subsequent notifications
leemed advisable for the requirements
If the service. Any contrary impress
sion or construction is erroneous Of |
icers and employees will be governed |
~ the construction here given.
%. No discrimination will be made
n the employment, retention or con-
lition of employment of employees be-
ause OF membership or non member
hip In labor organizations.
Patriotic Appeal.
THE government now being in con-
rol Of the railroads, the officers and
mployes of the various companies no
onger serve a private interest All
ow serve the government and the
ublic interest only. ] want the off,
ers and employees to get the spirit of
his new era. Supreme devotion to
ountry, an invincible determination
!, perform the imperative duties of
ne hour while the life of the nation
imperiled by war, must obliterate
Id enmities and make friends and
of us ALL
There must be cooperation, not an
lgonism; confidence, not suspicion;
utual helpfulness, not grudging per-
just consideration, not ar
trary disregard of each others rights
ID feelings; a fine discipline based on