Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-18

Is we'll known, presented the first for
NAL requests for consideration of
wage increases. but they have not
| sought to exclude either the minor
| unions or the nonunion employees from
tho pending adjustment. On tho con-
trnry. many union leaders have ac-
tually argued the case OF the unor-
ganizcd men with the same force that
they have argued their own case
Another important phase OF the mat
ter which the commission is kccpin-
clearly in mind is the effect of what
ever wage Increases that may be
granted upon the wages OF mon in
other industries. And in this conncc-
tloh inc commission has carefully con-
sidcred the permancncy of railway en-
pioymcnt as contrasted with the tran
sieht character OF employment I'm many
other industries. Also the effect IF
the advances which may DO granted
upon the railroads themselves Is -
highly important matter The com
mission does not wish to saddle an
unnecessarily heavy burden upou these
properties. against tho day when they
may be returned To their owners and
against the day when peace will come.
MANY CLASSES Of LAnOE
ENTITLED TO JNCREASl;
but the commission is already i'm
pressed with the necessity of allowing
more money to many classes OF railroad
labor whatever t!ia future may hold
for the transportation system. some OF
the members have been surprised AT
the astonishingly low wages paid for
some of these classes. because the
hrothcrhocds have seemed well paid
the Impression has been more or less
general that all railroad cmployccs arc
to be regarded as fully compensated for
the Kind of labor they MAY be per
forming. But the evidence does no,
bear this out
AT the end OF the last calendar year
there were 1.7o3,577 men employed by
the American railways. They received
an aggregate CT sl.51l.72s92G for their
service. or an average OF SS77 pcr man
This gives n fair indication OF tho
wages paid and an indication OF tho
necessity for generous advances i'm
many directions. Also It explains why.
in this period OF high wages in many
industries. the railroads have been un-
able to keep their forces intact.
OVER 100000 EARN
ABOUT sO57 A YEAR
or the 1.7o3.577 railway employees at
the end OF the past year, l.o7oSol. or
GA per cent OF them received s71c.-
l.2'oS. or - per cent OF the total out
lay for compensation. The average pav
OF the more than a million c,nnluyccs
was S65' year. or a li;tlc moro than
''o n month. \ total of 1926 more
OF these employees radt OH an average
OF s9AS year; oGS,Goo more OF them
averaged SLID a year: l07.T2j others
averaged sl,:S5 year. and lOSsIc
moro OF them averaged S!7o4 wear
1t has been generally supposed that
there arc a great many railroad en-
ploYccS who make large salaries \
Few officials do make a great deal OF
money. but the evidence before This
commission shows that only 1857 OF
the total number average as much as
5000; only l,ls7 average az much rs
s3.13i. and only 4.3o2. which includes
the highest paid class OF EMPLOYEES
average $685..
SECTION HANDS PAID
ONLY $500 A YEAR
More than quarter OF tho employees
In the group averaging less than 2s77
a year. 1t should be stated. are uu-
skilled section hands. whose ycarl.
average has been fixed At $500. The
average for the trainrnen who have
asked for an increase or 40 per cent.
was $3.50 a year. The passenger cnsi-
necrs. who arc Chased with the train
I1 -