Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-27
INCREASES
Continues fren, Pags one)

cember 1915 and any increases which
have been allowed within that time
will be deducted. In many cases
raises in pay in the last two and a
half years are about equal to the
increases now approved. and conse-
auently those employees will get little
or no more. To correct just such
situations when injustices are APP
parent will be one Of the principal
duties of the new wage board, whose
creation was suggested by the rail-
road wage commission. In no cases
are wages to be reduced.
Men working on the monthly, daily.
hourly, piece work and mill basis will
he effected by the new allowances and
members of the four leading railroads.
bro;herhoods whose pay was raised
through operation Of the Adamson act
are to receive from 10 to 40 per cent.
addition, smaller increase than they
asked of railroads shortly before the
government took control.
The wage order applies to all employees
of the l64 roads now under federal man
agement, but not to the so-called short
lines unless they are retained by the
government after July !. 1t affects en-
ployes of terminal, union station and
switching companies. lighters, ferries
and tugs owned by railroads, but 'ot
employees of railroad boat lines on lakes,
rivers or coastwise traffic. Although
Pullman cars now are under govern
ment operation. Pullman employees will
not he effected unless the railroad ad
minstration decides to retain manage
nient of the cars.
In announcing his decision Mr.. Nc
Adoo appealed to railroad employees to
forget dissensions and disappear tments
arising under private control and to re-
member that the success of the war de-
Ponds largely on their services.
To meet the expense of the waga In
crease, the biggest ever granted to rail-
road men or any other class of en-
ployes at one time, the railroad admin
stration has discussed raising freight
and passenger rates.
Ghe percentages of wage increases
range from 43 for men who received AS
a month in December. 1915, down to a
small rate for those receiving just un
der $3.50 and no more pay is allowed
men who made $3.50 or more in 1915 The
actual additions run up to s34.
With the exception Of officers and
messenger boys under Is, who are given
smaller increases, all employees who re-
ceived less than $46 month are given
a fiat increase # $50 with the provision
that laborers paid by the day shall get
a minimum Of p cents an hour above
the rate six months ago.
Back pay due under the retro
active increases will be sent to any
man who has been dismissed from
the railroad service since January !,
Or who has entered the army or
navy. but not to an employee who
quit voluntarily.
An important principle contained
in the director generals order is that
reductions in hours since 1915 are not
to be regarded as increases developed
by that ac..
On this principle train employees
will receive approximately the fol-
lowing proportional increases over
1915 pay CT their equivalent when
pay is based on miles operated:
Passenger engineers. II per cent;
passenger iremen, and helpers. %
per cent; passenger conductors Is per
cent; pa ssenger baggagemen SO per
cent; pa ssenser 'brakemen and flag
men 40 PEE cent; freight engineers Is
per cent; freight firemen and helpers
81 per cent; freight conductors 20
per cent; freight brakemen and flag
men 40 PEI cent. These men also
must deduct increases granted since
1915.