The Washington herald., 1918-02-06
BANKS
CAUSED TIEUP
ON RAILROADS
Employees Representatives
Allege They Hinder Oper-
alton Intentionally.

Financial interests behind rail-
road operators were yesterday
charged with being responsible for
the general traffic break down"
! under government control
Before Secretary OF the Interior
Lane as chairman of the Railroad
Wage Commission representatives
of the Brotherhoods testified that
inefficiency and mismanagement
are being tolerated to balk Federal
ownership.
II would trace It back to New
York City. To about four banks"
w. G. Lee. president Of the Brother
hood OF Railroad Trainmen declared
when asked TO place the response
bility for the recent congestions
and delays.
THE rank and file are not en-
gagged in giving the public dem
| onstration OF what a failure gov
ernment operation ID. They are
pledged to make 1t a success" The
witness added.
DO you know that all these men
are in a Conspiracy Secretary
Lane asked indicating the opera
ltors.
Retail Q. s. Operation.
81 think a sufficient number of
| those interested are doing all they
can to prevent the government
from making a success of it. There
| Is evidence that veteran railroad
| men have been replaced by mex
| perienced men at the important
gate-ways." The Brotherhood Of
fcial declared.
The men on the carpet is, run
ming the roads. And the majority
of our men have far better jud-
ment in railroad operation that the
| office man. Those men are cogni-
zant of what is being done"
do you think the president. Of
| road could pass the word on down"
Mr.. Lane asked.
IF they don't want the govern
ment to take hold it might be con-
sistent with delays asserted the rail-
| road man.
He added:
Calling attention TO conditions in
the Philadelphia terminals Of the
| Pennsylvania Railroad, the Brother
hood representatives said that more
engines were permitted to freeze
than at any other time. He declared:
''They permitted a new engine in the
| Philadelphia terminal TO freeze up.
! 1t will take two weeks to make neces-
sary repairs. We have been having
many cold winters but never before
such congestions as this Practical
railroad men are not permitted to do
things. When the road fell down all
the yard men knew the reason"
Favoritism Charged.
"Favoritism and not always efficien-
cy governs promotion" testified D. w.
Helt. Grand Chief Of the brotherhood
Of Railroad Signalmen, who describ-
ed to the commission the hardships
| under which the men under that elas-
sification are working. In asking for
a wage rate the witness said that the
Illinois Central Railroad requires sig
nal maintenance men to buy their own
motor cars and tools.
I'm the Washington terminal there
| are only seven men in charge OF
the repair and equipment OF the au-
| tomato, pneumatic and mechanical
switches which are so necessary to
the safe and speedy operation of
trains" Helt told the commission. He
| added that the operating unit there
| calls for twelve men. The wage de-
| mands of the signal instalIers range
from IS cents an hour to 50 cents
an hour. according to time of service.
Hearing on Friday.
Statistics were submitted by A. b.
Garretson. chief of the Brotherhood
! of Railroad Conductors to support his
argument for an increase of wages
based on the advance in the cost OF
living. He said that since 1910 the
family maintenance has increased &c.
50 and s. per cent In cases investi-
| gated
Conditions are depIorable." testi-
fed J. p. Coyle, representing the
brotherhood of station employees.
Secretary Lane. after accepting doc
! uments and arguments on the subject.
| announced that the commission will
resume its hearing Friday