Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-01
MORE ENERGY
Expected From 100000
Railway Shopmen
And Strikes Must Be Eliminated, In
Return for Wage Increase and
Betterment Of Working cond;-
tions, Says General Director Me-
Adoo-F'ehting Power Of Armies
Impaired if Equipment Not Kept
in Repair

Washington. July 31.-Railway en-
pioyes werc told today by Gen. Di-
rector McAdoo in announcing de-
tails Of the wage increase for more
than 100000 shopmen that the ma
ton expected new energy from tbs
workers in return for pay increases
and improvements in employment
conditions, and that strikes and 9TH
err labor disturbances must b" elm
mated during the war
In reaching the conclusions upon
which this order is based" he said,
II have been keenly conscious not
alone OF the interests OF the large
number Of railway employees who
are greatly benefited thereby. but
also Of my solemn duty to the Amer
lean people to see to it that the trust
charged faithfully, with justice to
them as well as to the railroad en-
ployes concerned. No right decision
can he made which considers only
the demands and interests of any
class Of men apart from the para
mount interests Of the public and the
supreme necessity Of winning this
war.
Now that the decision has been
made the American Dsople, whose
servants we are, expect every rail-
read employe to devote himself with
new energy to his work and by
faithful and efficient service to jus
tify the large increases Of pay and
the Improvement in working condi-
tons hereby granted. The America I,
people have right to expect this
and they will be content with moth
Ing less.
1T is of the utmost importance that
motive power and cars shall be kept in
repair and that the output OF railroad
shops throughout the country shall be
greatly increased in the future. Unless
this is done the railroads cannot eff
GENTLY perform the increased duties i'm
posed upon them by the war, and the
fighting power of our armies in France
and our navies on the high seas will be
seriously impaired.
II am proud of the loyal service the
great body of railroad men throughout
the country have rendered to their gov
eminent since the railroads have come
under federal control. 1t is a genuine
pleasure to make this acknowledgement,
but | should not fail to say at the same
time that there are instances where
agtations and disturbances in some Of
the locomotive ard car shops have been
extremely hurtful to the country. The
loyal and patriotic employees, who coa-
stltute the great majority OF the army
of railroad workers, have not vet Yield
ed, be it said to their credit and honor.
to these disturbances. But the few who
have have done their country a griev-
Gus injury by impairing the ffciency
and reducing the output OF the shops
where these disturbances have occurred.
The loyal and patriotic employees can
render new and powerful service to
their country by using their influence
in their work. by cooperating with on
GERS in the enforcement of discipline
and by increasing to the utmost limi.
OF their capacity the output of locomo-
tives and cars which are so essential to
the efficient operation of railroads OF
the country and TO the success OF our
armies in the field. ! know can count
on the patriotism and devotion to duty
Of every true American engaged in the
railway service Of the United States