New-York tribune., 1918-05-10

has been made without reference, primarily,
to those quite thorough Investigations which
have, been carried on by the Department Of
Labor, other governmental and many private
agencies. And to our minds it conclusively
establishes two things-(D that the cost OF
living has increased disproportionately
among those of small incomes and (2) that
there is q point up to which it is essential
that the full increased cost shall be allowed
as wage increase, while from this point on
the increase may be gradually dimin.
ished.
No Taking Away
There is high authority for saying that
"to him that hath shall be given, but from
him that hath not shall be taken away even
that which he hath" This dictum as to the
way of the world we take to have been the
recognition of a fact, not the Endorsement
of an ideal And the plan we recommend 10
an expression of the reverse policy. We
take from no man that which he hath, In
suring him as much as he has now (for no
wages are to be lowered), but we would add
materially to the fund of those who have
least And of these there are many. II has
been a somewhat popular impression that
railroad employees were among the most
highly paid workers. But figures gathered
from the railroads disposed of this belief.
Flfty-one per cent of all employees during
December, 1917, received $75 month or
less, and 80 per cent received $100 month
or iess Even among the locomotive engi-
neers, commonly spoken of as highly paid,
preponderating number received less than
Slfo month, and this compensation they
have attained by the most compact and COM
plete organization. handled with full ap-
1Qf Of oil D~k,u
the grades receiving from $3.50 to $3.50 .
month there is included less than per cent
of all the employees (excluding of3cials), and
these aggregate less than 10000 men out Of
grand total of 100000.
The Vineyards End
The greatest number of employees on 81!
the roads fall into the class receiving be-
tween $50 and $65 month, 18l,693 while
within the range of the next $40 in nEnonthV
salary there is total Of 312,761 persons
In December, 1917, there were Hiatt CLERKS
receiving annual pay of 5000 or less. IN
1917 the average pay of this class was nus
$56.77 month. There were 270,855 section.
men whose average pay as class was $oU'1l
month, 900 other unskilled laborefs
whose average pay was s58.25 month, lSo,-
O75 station service employees whose avefsee
pay was @0o0I montn, 1o,oZo rOdo AessS'
brakemen and fagmen whose average pay
was S10017 month and 16,455 road pas
senger brakemen and fagmen whose average
pay was S91.10 month. (See Appendices
III and IV.)
These, it is to be noted, are not pre-W1
figures; they represent conditions after
year of war and two years Of rising pracss.
And each dollar now represents in Its po.s1
to purchase place in which to live, tood -
eat and clothing to wear but II cents =
against the 100 cents Of January ], isa~
That there has been such steadfast loysW
to the railroads and so slight disposiuy.s.
to use the lever of their necessity and snsn
opportunity to compel by ruthless action =
increase of wages is not without signifcanss
and should not be passed without pubic r. I
ognition.
To the Director Genera! Of Railroads
THE RAILROAD WAGE COMMISSION.
Franklin X. Lane, chairman; Charles
McChord, ]. Harry Covington and NAo
r. Wilcox ss