The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-26
TO THE PUBLIC


Washington. Aug. 2e.-The presi-
dents statement, addressed to the
public. follows:
MY Fellow Citizens:
"A situation has arisen in connection
with the administration of the railways
which is of such general Significance that
l think II my duty to make public state
ment concerning it. in order that the whole
country may know what is involved.
THE railroad shopmen have demanded
a large increase in wages. They are now
receiving IS 63 and 6S cents per hour. They
demand IS cents per hour. This demand
has been given careful and serious con-
sideration by the board, which was con-
stituted by the railroad administration to
adjust questions Of wages, board con-
sisting of an equal number Of representa-
tives Of employees and of the operating
managers of the railroad companies. This
board has been unable to come to an
agreement and it hns. therefore. devolved
upon the director general Of railroads and
myself TO act upon the merits Of the case.
Replies to shipments Arguments.
THE shopmen urge that they are en-
higher wages for the present received by
men doing a similar work in shipyards,
navy yards and arsenals, as well as in a
with the director general in thinking that
there is no real basis Of comparison be-
tween the settled employment afforded
mechanics by the railroads under living
conditions as various the location and
surroundings of the railway shops them
Z
forded In industries exceptionally and tenn
pOrarily stimulated by the war. and
located. almost without exception. in in
dustrial centers where the cost Of living
"The substantial argument which the
shopmen urge is the very serious increase in
the cost of living. This is very potent
/ argument indeed. But the fact is that the
cost of living has certainly reached its
peak. and will probably be lowered by the
concerted and carried out. 1t will certainly
be lowered as soon as there are settled
conditions of production and of commerce ::
that is, as soon as the treaty OF peace is
ratified and in operation and merchants.
manufacturers. farmers, miners, all have
their business will be and what conditions
will be under which 1T must be conducted.
Would Boost Living Costs Higher.
THE demands of the shopmen, therefore.
and all similar demands are, in effect this !:
That we make increase in wages, which are
likely to be permanent, in order to meet
a temporary situation, which will last mo-
body can certainly tell how long, but in all
probability, only for limited time. In
creases in wages. moreover, certainly re-
suit in still further increasing the costs
Of production, and. therefore. the cost Of
living. and we should only have to go thru
the same process again. Any substantial
increase of wages in leading lines of in
dustry at this time would utterly crush the
general campaign which the government is
waging. with energy, vigor and substantial
hope of success to reduce the high cost Of
portatlon which would necessarily result
from increases in wages of railway en-
ployes would more certainly and more i'm
mediatelv have that effect than any other
enhanced wage costs. Only by keeping the
cost Of production on its present level, by
increasing production and by rigid econ
Omy and saving on the part Of the people.
can we hope for large decreases In the
uIdensome cost of living, which now
weighs us down"
"Tbe director general Of railroads and
have felt that peculiar responsibility
rests upon US because in determining this
question we are not studying the balance
sheets Of corporations merely, we are in
effect determining the burden of taxation
which must fall upon the people of the
country IN general. We nre acting not
| for private corporations. but in the name
of the government and the public. and
must assess our responsibility accordingly.
For It is neither wise nor feasible to take
care Of increases in wages of railroad en-
plOyes at this time by increases in freight
rates. 1t is impossible at this time, until
peace has come and normal conditions are
restored, to estimate what the earning
capacity Of the railroads will be when
ordinary conditions return. There is no
certain basis. therefore. for calculating
what the increase of freight rates. should