The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-25
President of Santa Fe Here for
Meeting Today.
He Discusses Problems of Ma
ton; Sees Bright Outlook.
BRINGS MESSAGE TO men
Ripley Says McAdOO Will Take
Up Raise Matter Soon.
All Directors Reelected at To-
peka Meeting Today.

Out CT this war, it was asserted to-
day by E. p. Ripley, president of the
Santa Fe railway, in Topeka for the
annual stockholders meeting of the
read, will come a great economic
reformation and betterment for this
country. The country is already, he
declared, showing signs of emerging
from its wastefulness, and the public
is merging into a compact effort with
a definite aim. Thru its sacrifice for
patriotic reasons the nation will
emerge at the end of the war with
new and better economic ideas, and
find itself on more solid basis, more
firmly united than before, he says.
President Ripley arrived in Topeka
late Wednesday night from an inspec-
ton trip over western lines. Seated in
his private car near the Santa Fe sta
ton this morning, the dean of Amer
lean railway executives displayed his
usual lively interest in the premier
questions and problems of the day.
talked about the war, crops; both land
and water transportation problems,
and declared himself proud of the
splendid showing Santa Fe employees,
both over the system and in Topeka,
have made in the purchase of third
liberty loan bonds.
Raises Coming Soon?
Shortly after his arrival here, the
Santa F'e president caused to be posted
on all bulletin boards and places of
prominence in the shops and offices a
letter he had received from Director
General McAdoo. The letter promised
all railroad employees that McAdoo
would Immediately take up at the
completion of his liberty loan tour the
question of increases of wages for rail-
way workers. This matter will be de-
cided after an investigation by Nc
A. nf hn nnrf flf hn 400
mission which recently investigated
the salaries of all employees both or
ganized and unorganized.
Officials here think the letter is in
dicative of coming wage advance
t-1bout May 4. t4ae-date McAdoo says he
will make an announcement on the
subject. The letter follows:
Shortly after possession and con-
troll of the railroads of the United
States were assumed by the govern
ment l appointed a railroad wage
commission for the purpose of making
a thoro investigation of the wages paid
to all railroad employees whether men,
bers of labor organizations or not.
announced that if as a result of that
| investigation an increase of wages was
made by the director general such in
crease would become effective as OF
! January l, 1918. The task confront
| ing the railroad wage commission was
greater in magnitude than any task OF
| a similar character ever undertaken
| The commission Immediately applied
/ itself to the work with great energy
and with unremitting labor to a study
! of the large and complex questions in.
! volved. In matters of such magni
tude adequate time is essential to in.
telligent consideration and wise con.
clusions. The commission has in.
! formed me that it expects to submit
its report on my return to Washing
! ton upon the conclusion of the presen
liberty loan campaign, May 4. 1 shall
promptly review the report of the
| commission and render a decision
| upon it's findings and recommenda
tions. Meanwhile no employees inter
! est is being hurt or prejudiced be.
! cause whatever increases may bt
| granted will have accumulated in the
for N of savings and will not have
/ been spent in the meantime as nigh
otherwise have been the case. I hope
that every railroad emp1oye in the
/ United States will lend all the none.
he can consistently with his individual