New-York tribune., 1918-02-13
Law Violated Since u. S
Controlled Roads, Is
Brotherhood Charge
Increase in. Pay Urged
Present Conditions Invite a
Wreck, Acting President
Shea Says

criminate violation of the sixteen-hour
law, especially since the government
took over the roads, was charged to
the railroad managements to-day by
Timothy Shea, acting president Of the
Brotherhood Of Locomotive Firemen,
Enginemen and Hostlers, in picturing to
the Railroad Wage Commission work.
ing conditions which, he said, drove
the men into other employment.
"If the United States government
does not remedy these conditions" he
asserted, "it will not make success
of railroad operation, for no railroad
can survive if managed in such
fashion"
The witness said present conditions
actually constituted menace to
human lives, because men engaged in
operation Of trains could not be held
responsible for disaster if worked to
the point of physical exhaustion. He
quoted partial reports to show 1913
violations of the sixtcen-hour law be-
tween January 2 and "a, as compared
with 80 during the whole Of 1917.
Violations Few, Says Lane
ut doesn't seem to me that 1873 vio-
lations are extraordinary, considering
the weather of that period" remarked
Secretary Lane, chairman Of the COM
mission.
"You don't sanction violation of the
law, do you?" asked Mr.. Shea.
II don't think that question properly
can be addressed to me-" answered the
Secretary.
Mr., Shea said perhaps the question
should not have been asked, but re-
fused to drop the subject.
Since the government took over op-
Grafton of the roads," he said, "they
are at liberty to violate the law.
Whom are you going to prosecute? 2"
Commi ssioner McChord, a member of
the Interstate Commerce Commission,
which is charged with enforcing the
slxteen-hour law. interrupted to state
that government operation made no diff
ference in enforcement Of the law and
that ne daily was approving prosecu-
tions of violations.
We've got the law, but it seems i'm
possible to get it complied WITH" Shea
continued. Since the government took
over the roads the law apparently is
being dsregarded indiscriminately and
the time is coming when it will result
IN wreck. | think it is time to call
halt. We hope the government can
demonstrate that trains can make an
average of 12A miles an hour and
avoid overtime. The government will
have the united cooperation Of all
classes of employees to accomplish that
end"
Charges Pay Is too Low
The long hours were said to be onlv
one reason why many switchmen have
sought other employment. In 1890,
Mr.. Shea said, switchmen performed
approximately 100000 ton-miles of
work for every $1,000 paid them, buk
100000 ton-miles for the same paw.
He contrasted the labor of stocking
one OF the. great modern machines on a
last schedule run with the old days,
when small engine pursued its peace
full way through the country and the
fireman was at liberty to take off his
boots and go to sleep in the sun when
siding was taken.
-, Wages of $3.50 day do not cover
tne actual Lying expenses of mar
ried man." Shea said. "Our men can
leave the railroads and get work in
factories at 81 day, under better con
dltlons and working shorter hours. Yet
we are performing service that is
vital to the country's welfare"
:, Mr.. Shea made an especial plea for
the hostlers, who take care Of engines
while not in actual service. The safety
of train depends largely on the
hostler's treatment of an engine. he
said, adding:
"The fact that some railroad officials
are willing to employ class of labor
as hostlers whom they would not per
mt to take care of their private auto
mobiles indicates the difference ho
tween their official and personal atti
tude."
Mr.. Lane wanted to know why ne
groes were not permitted to become
engineers.
Warren S. Stone, head of the Enci-
ncers' Brotherhood, who will testify
tomorrow, replied from the audience
that he would answer the question in
his testimony.
Mr. Shea reiterated that time and a
half for overtime was desired only as
a penalty to discourage long hours of
work.