The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-02-05
SEEK FAILURE OF
RAILROAD PLAN
Trainmen's Leader Says Men
Are Not Permitted to 0pe-
rate Efficiently. -

Washington, Feb. 5.-Charges
that the railway managements are
attempting to discredit govern
mont operation of railroads were
made today by VEG. Lee, head
Of the railway trainren, at the
railway wage hearing. ~ have
facts to prove that experienced
railroad men are not permitted to
operate as their training dictates"
said Mr.. Lee.
"The old arrangements do not want
government operation made a sue
cess" said Lee. DO you think the
public will let the roads go back to
the old system if government man
agement proves efficient? That's why
want to see the government make
success of operating the railroads"
\ .s..g Why sHesai Snspicio s.-4-ssA
Mr.. Lees remarks were made in the
course of a spirited discussion precip-
itated by the presence of several rep
resentatives of railway managements
in the room. A. B. Garretson, head of
the railway conductors, charged their
presence was in contravention of the
understanding with Director General
McAdoo that the hearing was to be
ex-parte.
Commissioner Covington said the
railway officers were there by invita-
plement not antagonize, the informa-
ton presented by the employees.
"You will pardon my being suspi-
cious." Mr.. Lee said, but we have
been dealing with those gentlemen for
half a century," =
I'VE do not pretend to take the po-
sition of discussing matters with our
former employers" said Garretson.
I'VE don't intend to deal with sec
ond set of employers, and having
come here to put all the cards on the
table, we don't intend to disarm our
selves"
To Balance Living Costs.
Mr.. Lee said the demands for in
creased wages were asked solely be-
cause of increased cost of living. More
than 5000 members of the Brother
hood of Railway Trainmen are with
the colors, he said, and the organiza-
tion is keeping up their insurance and
dues during their absence,
The commission interrupted to ask
why contracts were based on 100 miles
or eight hours as constituting a days
work. Chairman Lane desired to
know If the distance restriction could
not be removed; if the eight-hour
limit was imposed, why run of $50
or 200 miles could mot be made with
out extra pay in the interest of speed
ing up the service at this time when
the public welfare demanded all the
mileage possible in the moving of
freight.
Stir Up Hornets Nest.
You would stir up a hornets nest
# you attempted to change the basic
principles of our wage contracts" |
said Lee. The government wants i
things done harmoniously. If such a /
change. were made, l believe that the |
might have to hold hear
ngs throughout the country to deter |
nine why the railway men were leav- |
ng the roads to work for the muni- !
ion factories.
Discussing the working of the eight |
1our law recently Investigated, he said |
he commission should not overlook /!
he fact that the managements worked |
% make the cost.and delay due to the |
aw as great as possible.
Do you mean that the operating Of |
icials made the Increased costs greater
han they should have been?" Chair
nan Lane asked.
Yes; that was natural; they desired |
o cast reflections on the law" Lee re-
,lied.
Il do not think it was natural: |
lave not so cynical a view of human
nature" returned the chairman.
Prove Rotten Railroadinq.
I'VE are prepared to show many in
tances of rotten railroading," the
inion leader replied. "On a road not
ar from here, I know of a crew that
vas called out and the sixteen hour
aw overlook them before they left the
criminal. The operating employees can
lot prevent these delays when, instead
f train dispatcher, there is back of
he yards train delayer."
"Such a policy must go from the
resident of the road down to the dis
'atcher." Mr.. Lane remarked. do
'ou think they conspired?"
mo, but / think sufficient number
vere interested in working to increase
elay and cost of the Adamson law
nd to make government operation a
allure" Lee answered. IF l looked
or the real cause. would trace it back
0 about four banks in New York
'ity.-