Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-09

roads should be maintained for the
period OF the war.
But with this we earnestly urge
That most exhaustive study be made
OF TINS matter OF hours OF service, not
with view to the adoption OF some
arbitrary and universal policy which
shall have no regard to the kind OF
work done. or to the effect npon the
railroad service. but with these very
considerations in mind. And we have
gone into this matter far enough TO JUS
,tify ourselves the belief that by he
steady application OF such svmpath.;ic
consideration. tho railroad service may
bc improved, and at the same time
fuller opportunity be given for lifting
"A burden that falls disproportionatcly
upon some of the less favored Of the
railroad workers.
DlSrEL CONCEPTION RAILWAY
MEN ARE HIGHEST PAID
''fhc commission disDcls the popular
misconccption that railroad employees
arc among the highest paid of wage
Z, ers and says:
~, has been somewhat popular
impression that railroad employees are
among the most highly paid workers.
But figures gathered from the roads
dispose of this belief. Fifty-onc per
cent OF all employees during December.
1917. received S75 per month. or less
month or less. Even among the loco
motive engineers. commonly spoken OF
as highly paid. Il preponderating num-
Der received less than Slf0 per month
and mis- compensation they have at
tanned Ii ythc most compact and com
pictc organization, handled with full
lappreciation OF all strategic values.
,Bctween the grades receiving from
$3.50 To $3.50 per month. there is in
Guided less than : per cent of all the
employees excluding otliciais) and these
Iagsrcgatc less than $1,000 men out OF "A
grand total OF ".O00.0aO.
THE greatest number OF employees.
on all roads. fall into the class re-
ceivinE between SEQ and $50 a month
lSl,G33: while within the range of the
next ten dollars in monthly salary
there is total OF 3l3.1Gl persons.
PURCHASING POWER or 81
Is but SENENrS-ONE CENTS
These. II is noted. arc no, prc-war
nEures: they represent conditions after
a year OF war. and two years of rising
prices. And each dollar now represents
in its power to purchase place in
which TO live. food to eat and clothing
TO wear, but scvcnty-onc cents as
against 100 cents OF January |, 1916.
that there has been such stcadfast 10y
atty TO tho railroads and so slight a
disposition TO use the lever OF their
necessity and opportunity to compel.
by ruthless action, increase Of
wages. is not without significance and
should not be passed without public
recognition.
What TO do with some OF the high
~ paid officials now that the govern
mcnt has taken over the roads. Is indi-
Gated by the commission In the fol-
lowing significant paragraph:
THE commission recommends that
during the period OF government con-
duct of the railroads no salaries pad
10 officials who are not essential to the
railroads shall he charged as a part
OF the operating expenses. and that u
careful study be made or the proper
relation between the salaries Of the
higher officials and those OF their sub
ordinatcs with view to rc-adJustmcnts
IN the interest OF the highest efficiency
OF tho service
"Organizcd and unoriauizcd en-
ployCc. arc to be treated alike. Women
and men who perform equal service
are 10 30 given equal pay and differ
cnCcs In pay are not {" be prcdicatcd
upon differences OF collar"
Tho report OF tho wage commission
was made public late to-day At tho
office Of Franklin Is. Lane. Secretary
of tho Interior and Chairman OF the
Commiss ION. II bears his signature
and that Of the three other members
Charles - McChord. j. Harry CovinE-
ton. and William l.. WILCOX