The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-02-09
Various Glasses of Railroad
Workers Present Claims
to Wage Board
DINING CAR PORTERS
WOULD FOREGO TIPS"
Think They Would Be Satisfied With
Outright Increase of SIS Per
Neutrality-suspicious. of
Dispatches Appear

Washington, February S.--Presentn-
ton of requests by svitchmen for in
creased pay and time and half for
all work beyond eight hours devei-
oped into n discussion before the rail-
road wage board today of the practical
bility of any readjustment of hours
now when there is a great shortage of
men, which would hamper operation OF
trains.
S. f. Heberling, president of :he
switchmen's union. said the eight-honr
law was not being generally observed be-
cause overtime was not penalized and
asked that instead of a pro rata basis,
time and a half be imposed for all work
beyond the basic day
Would that be advisable, with all in
dustries Handicapped by men sent to the
front?" asked Secretary Lane. chairman
of the commission.
Where you going to get the extra
menu" asked Commissioner Covington.
Mr. Hebering said it was only desired
to keep the day as closely as possible 70
an eight-hour basis to minimize acci-
dents due to fatigue.
CASUALTY FIGURES
Secretary Lane remarked on casualty
figures for switchmen, showing that per-
centage was gerater than for the armies
in Europe.
C. l.. Darling of Spokane, Wash; a. $.
Bfmrose of Portland. Ore; and J. c.
Vessels Ashland, Wis, appeared for the
train dispatchers. and asked the govern
ment for substantial wage increases.
which they said the railroads would not
even discuss.
III the railroad presidents would only
meet us half way, I would not be N
Washington today" said Mr.. Bimrose.
"A little more vision would help coEl-
mented Commissioner McChord.
INSPECTORS ASK RELIEF
Thomas MCNEIL. representing the car
inspectors of the Pennsylvania railroad,
told the commission the Inspectors
should come under the eisht-hour law
because Of their part in the operation
Nof traAns The railroad rnsnagementx
have refused TO conceds this.
The philosophy OF tipping was ex-
pounded to an interested audience ny
Robert L. Mays. a dining car walter.
who spoke for unorganized negro en-
ployes. He said they received SIS a
month wages for 16 to IS hours dairy
work. When asked II they would con-
sent to the elimination OF tips and sub
stitution of a higher salary, he said ne
believed both walters and porters would
be glad to forego tips If their pay was
increased to 500 and up monthly.
Then your tips average s75 a month?a
asked Mr. McChord.
AVERAGE $50 MONTHLY
yes. on good run. We serve possi-
bly, 30 persons at meals every day, the
tips averaging 10 cents each, or about $40
a month. Some of the men on the big
eastern lines, between here and Now
York, for instance. would kick on a SAL
airy of 500 and no tips, but the men In
the west on the long desert runs. where
they have to buy their own food and get
back in the best way they can, would be
glad Of the change"
And what difference does the tip mako
in the kind of service received?"
absolutely none. We not merely ara
required to give good service. but our
superiors see that we do give it, for any
dissatisfaction means loss of patronage
by the road
II suggest a very small addition 10
each check About u cents would care
for the Increase in the wages. A slight
advance in berth rates would pay tho
porters a living wage"
The hearing will be continued Monday.