The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1918-06-08
RAILWAY EMPLOYEES VOICE PROTEST
AGAINST NEW WAGE SCALE, AND
REQUEST REVISION UPWARD

Representatives of half million railway shop
men asked the railroad administration, on June
g. not to put into effect the new wage scale
lately approved by Director General McAdoo
without upward revision, saying great dissatis-
faction would be created, and intlmating that it
might be impossible to avoid many strikes, even
though the railroads were under government
control
Spokesman for the six shop trades declared
that extreme disappointment existed among all
men who had carefully read the scale, and urged
speedy action to revise it, The lure OF the ship
yards is so great, they said, that thousands of
railroad employees have been restrained from
leaving, only with the greatest difficulty.
The shop men renewed their demands for a
minimum Of rs cents an hour for machinists,
blacksmiths, sheet metal workers, electricians,
carmen with four years more experience, and
boiler makers, and minimum Of 661A cents
for carmen with less than four years experience.
They also contended for an eight-hour standard
day, six days work a week, and time and one
half for overtime These demands represented
an increase of about 40 per cent above existing
wages.
A. few days before the presentation Of this
formal request, between 800 and 400 employees
Of the shops Of the Southern Railway at Alexan-
dria Virginia. only few miles from Washing
Of wages by walking out Of their shops in a
peaceful manner They declared they were
not on strike but simply laid down their tools
and quit
Two days later, Director General McAdoo re-
minded these men that they are employees of the
United States in time Of war, and that a strike
means blow at their own government. In a
telegram he gave notice that the government
cannot be coerced or inundated, and called
upon railroad men to remain at their posts Of
duty.
The telegram read, in part:
''It is the first time in the history of our
government that any Of it's employees have at
tempted strike against their government
Such action is Incredible For the good of our
beloved country, and for the honor Of railroad
men in the service everywhere | hope that
there will be no repetition Of what every one
must condemn as unpatriotic in the highest de-
gree.
''The government cannot of course, be CO.
creed or inundated by any Of it's employees. 1t
is anxious to do justice to all and will do justice
to all as far as it is possible to measure justice
Recognizing that there are probable Unequal
tiles in the recommendations of the wage COM
mission which should be impartially considered
and dealt with, appointed in my general order
No. 81, dated May rs, board Of railroad wages
and working conditions composed Of three
representative labor men and three represent
ative railroad men, whose duty it is to hear and
pass upon all petitions and complaints.
Every class Of employees or parts Of classes
Of employees who feel that they have just ground
for complaint under the wage decision should
submit their cases promptly to this board and
they will be given just and impartial consider
alton
'SThe American people have just been called
upon to pay largely increased freight and pas
senger rates for the purpose of paying in part
the increased wages, amounting to more than
$3OO,OOO,OOO, awarded to railroad employees.
Suppose they should strike against the gov
eminent because they do not. think they are
fairly treated in being forced to pay these in
creases for the benefit Of railroad labor, what