The Washington herald., 1918-02-14
US. OPERATION
OF RAILROADS
JUST IN time
So Claim Brotherhood OFF,
ciaIs- Women Not Suited
to Railroad Work.

The governments decision to take
over the railroads was reached just
in time to avert disastrous condi-
tions threatening every line In the
country.
But for this development and the
administrations promise that wages
and working conditions would be
satisfactorily adjusted there would
not now be enough men in the sec
tion gangs to keep the track in
operating condition
The situation was presented to
the Railway Wage Commission yes
terday by A E. Barker. president
OF the International Brotherhood
Of Maintenance Of Way Employees.
Quick relief from existing condi-
tions is urgently needed il a more
critical situation confronting the
railroads is to be overcome, he
said.
The men ask only a living wage,
which the railroads are not pay
ing" Barker asserted.
Earlier in the day W. S. Stone,
president of the Brotherhood Loco
motive Engineers, strongly protest.
ed to the commission against the
employment of women in mems
pldCeS on the RAILROADS..
"On many railroads women are
employed repairing tracks, shovel
ing coal, coupling freight cars and
wiping engines" Stone said. II see
red when go around railroad yards
and find women at mems work"
The commission yesterday also
heard representatives Of the men
employed in the mechanical trades
on railroads and railroad civil en-
gineers. Each speaker warned the
commission that unless adequate
compensation was provided and
working conditions improved the
migration of railroad workmen to
other industries would increase to
the point of exhausting railroad
forces.
Thousands Lured Away.
Thousands of men already have
been lured away by higher wages
in other lines, the workmen's rep
resentatives agreed.
\ spirit of loyalty and willingness
to do their utmost at this time Of
national emergency was voiced.
Conditions favorably corresponding
with other industries must be pro-
vided. it was urged.
day for skilled workers and $3.50
for helpers.
Basic S-HOur Day.
\ basic eight-hour day and time
and half for overtime work were
asked for all the railroad trades
The first thing necessary to bring
the necessary number of men to rail-
road work." said Franklin, 'is the es-
tablishment of a universal eight-hour
day that would make the work as at
tTactive as in other industries"
Approximately 10 per cent OF the
men in railroad mechanical trades
have gone into shipyards. he esti-
mated. IF railroad wages are not
adjusted in keeping with outside oc-
cupations," he warned. no power on
earth can keep enough men with the
railroads to do the absolutely neces-
sary work. Our men are inQuiring
continually about rates of wages
paid in other industries. Large num-
bers are moving constantly. The only
way to keep them with the railroads
is to raise wages to correspond with
the pay outside"
mechanics and $3.50 for helpers,
the mine fields were receiving from
S5 to IS a day. Miners make from 81
to so. he testified.
Mobilization Impeded.
Unless immediate action is taken
the railroads soon will be in a con-
ditiOn which will greatly impede the
proper transportation of troops and
war supplies said Barker.
"A percentage plan OF increase
would not prove equitable because of
the varying rates Of pay in the sew
eTal sections of the country" He
strongly advocated a standard wage.
"A very serious strike on a certain
road in the Northwest was narrowly
averted by the governments action in
taking over the operation of the rail-
road" the speaker asserted. 1T is
only by keeping before the mems
minds the promise Of the administra-
ton that a fair rate OF pay and
better working conditions will be
worked out that we are able now to
keep a semblance of organization
in the section gangs"