Evening journal., 1918-08-02
LABOR BOARD FOR
RAISE IN CARFARES
Will Enable Railway Com
panies to Pay Employees
Better
ACTION is TAKEN
AS WAR NECESSITY

NEW YORK, Aug. 2.-The national
war labor board has taken a definite
stand in favor OF increased street car
fares to enable railway companies TO
pay their workers better wages, and
announced Il had urged President VIII
son TO obtain congressional action to
enable the Federal Government TO raise
fares without regard to the action OF
local authorities.
There was no mistsking the policy OF
the war labor board in adjusting the
street railway cases, as substantial
wage advances were awarded In every
case, the amdint OF the increase vary
Ing according to the size OF the cities,
in consequence OF the difference In llv-
ing costs.
The increase in wages will add sub
stantially TO the operating cost OF the
company, and will require a reconsider
alton by the proper regulating author
ity OF The fares which the company Ia
allowed by law 10 collect fiom its pas
sengers." the board stated, IN each case.
then added the following important
statement which was included In the
Cleveland award;
we have recommended 10 the Prcsi-
dent that special congressional legisla-
tlon be enacted 20 enable some execu-
tive agency OF the Federal Government
to consider the very perilous financial
condition Of this and other electric
street railways OF the country, and
raise fares in each case IN when the
circumstances require II.
I'VE believe II 10 be a war Necessary
iustifying Federal interference. should
this be deemed unwise, however, we
urge upon the local authorities ana
the people of the locality the pressing
need for such an increase adequate 10
meet the added cost ~ operation.
"This is not a question turning on
the history OF the relations between the
local street railways and the munlcl-
nsliiies in which they operate. the
iust claim for an increase in fares does
moi rest upon any right to a DIVIDEND
upon capital long invested in the enter
prise. -. .,,.,,
because Of the immediate pressure TOT
money receipts now 10 keep the street
railroads running go that they may
meet the local and national demand Tor
their service.
decentralization, corrupt methods,
evorbiispt dividends in the past are not
relevant to the question OF poucy 10 lile
present exigency. In justice the pun
lio should pay an adequate war CON-
pensation for service that cannot DC
rendered except for war prices.
"The credit Of these companies ~
floating bonds is gone. Their apillty lc
borrow on short notes is most hnlten
In the face Of added expenses, Whlcl
this and other awards OF needed anC
fair compensation TO their employe'
will involve. such credit VIII com
nletely disappear. Bankruptcy re
celverships and Generalization, witt
failure OF service, must be the result
Hence our urgent Recommendation OF
this head"
Decisions Affect $4,000 Carmen.
The cases decided were those anect-
ing bOOOO carmen in Chicago, Cleveland
Detrolt. Omaha, New Orleans, Albany
Scbneotady Buffalo and Rochester
III Y: East St. Louis and Gales0ure'
mn Newark and Trenton, n. j.; Scran-
ION pa and Joplin. Mo. The cases
nending include Philadelphia. Kansas
CITY. Memphis, Cincinnati, Portland
ore: Los Angeles, Atlanta, Denver
Wnkes-Barre. Boston Elevated Lines
the Rhode Island Company, Birnllns-
ham. Jacksonville, Dayton, O.' Sisrlai
o.. and Leavenworth, Kan.
The boards position fsvors go
strongly an increase to carmen that ~
is believed that all technicalities IN the
way OF granting such increases VIII De
swept aside and something approaching
a 'Iiying wage" allowed the men VINO
appeal 10 the board.