The sun., 1918-07-27
B.R. EMPLOYEES TO
GET RAISES IN PAY
Company Announces 10 to 25
Per Cent. Increase Effec-
tive August 2.
BASED ON LARGER FARE
Old Rates Will Be Readopted
II City Fails to Grant
Higher Schedule.

A wage increase OF from 10 to 25 per
cent. for the transportation employees
OF the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company
was announced yesterday by Timothy S.
williams. president OF the company The
raise In wages becomes effective August
and affects approximately 10000 en-
ployees Of total OF about $4,000 on the
company's payroll.
Mr.. Williams declares that the man
asement In announcing the larger pay
was actuated by the same principle laid
down by the Federal Wage Commission
in It's recent recommendation for in
crease of wages to steam railroad en-
ployees.
Tho naise has been decided upon In
anticipation of the receipt from the pub
lie OF a larger fare either by official au-
thorlsation or the reinstatement of fares
previously charged and authorized by
franchises and the law. according to Mr..
Williams. The management also de-
cIded to advance wages in order to re-
tain as far as possible the services Of it's
faithful and experienced men in the
transportation departments and to at
tract the better class OF new men seek
ing employment
Mr.. Williams says the present fnan-
cial condition of the system, with the
increased burdens occasioned by the
war; does not justify any increase in
wages at this time, but the directors be-
leve that in justice to their property and
to the public 1t will be serious mis-
take not to make every effort possible
10 preserve the valuable asset which
both the company and the public pos
sesses in the large proportion of tried
men In its service.
Aim to Save Emcient Men.
Continuing Mr.. Williams says:
Until normal conditions were upset
by the war, our system has had in Its
employ larger proportion Of men tried
by years Of experience than most rail-
road systems. The men have been gen.
orally satisfied with the conditions Of
employment. have continuously shared
the prosperity Of the company and the
opportunity OF steady Jobs, promotion
from time to time based upon merit, and
fair treatment have given US an unusu-
ally loyal and capable lot Of men. The
war has taken many Of these men away
and others have been attracted by the
higher rates OF pay offered by industries
engaged in making war supplies teven
though these higher rates are tempo
rary), and the new men who have taken
the places of the old men have not in
all cases, / am sorry to say. been up to
the standard of efficiency heretofore es-
tabl!shed by US. Street railroads cam
not expect to compete in wage payments
with the temporary conditions attaching
TO war industries, but they can expect.
by Offering permanency of occupation
and opportunity for advancement, to
hold and invite the employment Of those
who are thinking further ahead for their
welfare than the uncertain period OF
this war"
Using as a basis the number of cars
now operated by the company the in.
crease will mean an expansion in the
oompany's payroll OF approximately ST.
100000 annually, according to Mr.. Will
Jams, and IL the higher wage attracts
more men the growth in the system 8
payroll will be larger because more cars
will be operated.
Federal Wage System Adopted.
Mr.. Williams in discussing the size
Of the increase says:
THE percentage of Increase ranges
from 10 to rs per cent. and the principle
upon which the rates were advanced has
been generally that followed by the Fed
e-al Wage Commission in Its recent rec
ommendaton for increase Of wages TO
steam railroad employees. namely. con-
sideration of the increased cost of living.
This Is the sixth Increase in wages of
transportation employees in little more
than five years. The new rates on the
surface lines range from 80 cents to 40
cents an hour for motormen and con-
ductors, and the new rates for motormeu
on the elevated and subway lines range
from 40 cents to so cents an hour. In
asmuch as motormen for the elevated
and subway lines are taken from the
best men on the surface lines this means
that a surface motorman can look for
ward to a so cent rate through promo
ton 70 elevated and subway service,
The rates of other transpor ,r..Ul ell-
ployees are increased proportionately.
The company yesterday filed a mort
gage for sl50.000,oo in the Office of
the Register of Kings county, Brooklyn.
Il was dated Juno / and was made to
the Central Union Trust Company OF
New York as trustee. It Is refunding
and will take up old bonds. including
mortgage for s75.o0o,000.
The new mortgage was issued as a
result OF a decision of the stockholders
at meeting in May. New bonds will
be Issued for construction and equip
ment work. Register Webster said the
mortgage was the largest ever fled In
the Office A mortgage tax of $4,000
W ant