The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-02-06
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Railway Trainmen's Chief Says it Is
Attempt to Defeat Government Op.
GRAFTON and Eieht-Heur Law.

Railway Trainmen's Chief Says it Is
Attempt to Defeat Government op-
GRAFTON and Eieht-Heur Law
Washington, Feb. s.-Trafic conges-
ton throughout the country was blam-
ed on the railroad nanag ments at
their wage hearing by union leaders
who said the arrangements desired to
discredit the operation Of the eight
hour law, and more lately to nnke
government operation of the roads a
failure.
W. G. Lee. president Of tie raj way
trainmen, said he had evidence that
veteran railroad men were replaced
by inexperienced employees at ina Dor
ant gateways, that locomotives had
been allowed to freeze UP over nigh
and that train crews haa been calle
out and kept waiting until the sixteen
hour law overlook them before being
sent out Of the terminal.
Asked by Chairman Lane, of the
railroad commission, who was respon-
sible for these things, Mr.. Lee said
he believed he could trace it back to
about four banks in New York city
which cont"o! financing. If he wished
to seek the real cause.
A. B. Garretson, head of the con-
ductors, also charged that railroad
man2gements were trying to aiscredit
the government operation.
Lees charges were made twice dur
ing the hearing. First he told the
commission that he had evit,nce to
prove that experienced railroad men
were not permitted to operate as their
training dictated. Later. in discuss
Ing the working Of the eight-hour law
recently investigated, he said the
commission should not overlook tn
fact that the arrangements worked to
make the cost and delay due to the
law as great as possible.
do you mean that the oNerasng
ocfiials made the increased cost.
greater than they should have been?"
Chairman Lane asked.
Eyes: that was natural. they de-
sired to cast reflections on the law"
Lee replied.
II do not think it was natural l
have not so cynical visw Of hnnan
nature" returned the chairman
eve are prepared to show many in
stances of rotten railrteding," the
union leader replied. "da railroad
not far from here, know Of a crew
that was called out and the sixteen
hour law overlook them before they
left the terminal. The operating en-
ployes cannot prevent these delays
when instead Of train dispatcher
there is back in the yards a train
delayer.'
Such policy must 90 from the
president Of the railroad down to the
dispatcher" Mr.. Lane remarked. "Do
you think they conspfred?"
"No, but l think q sufficient num-
Der were interested IN working To In
crease the delay and cost Of the eight
hour law and to make government
operation a failure" Lee answered.
eff l looked for the real cause would
trace it back to about four banks in
New York city.
Can you tell me why the Pennsy.-
vania, long regarded as the model
railroad, should fall down all of
sudden? Why was a veteran yard.
master at Alliance, Ohio replaced By
an inexperienced Hlan. who still Is
there? Trains have been delayed for
hours at that point Why do reports
to the interstate commerce commits
sion show that in Philadelphia recent
ly more engines were allowed to
freeze up over night than ever be-
fore? One required two weeks for
repairs. We have had winters before
Why is all this congestion just now?
81 think I understand why the pres
ident said to us when we assured him
of our support in operating the rail-
roads that he was glad to hear the
operatives would assist the govern
ment. You have taken over the sup
ervision of the railroads, but you have
left the management entirely in the
hands of the former owners. They
can make a success Of failure f II
as they choose" r.a
"The old arrangements do not want
government operation made a sue.
cess" said Lee. DE you think the
public will let the railroads go back
to the old system il government man
agement proves eflcientH That's why
| want to see the government make
success of operating the railroads.