The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1919-09-05

termining the burden Of taxation which
must fall upon the people Of the coun'
try In general. We are acting, not for
private corporations, but In the name
Of the government and the public, ana
must assess our responsibility accord
ing1y. For II Is neither wise nor feas-
ible to take care Of increases In the
wages of railroad employees at this
time by increases IN freight rates.
It is impossible at this time, until
peace has come and normal conditions
are restored, to estimate what the
earning capacity Of the railroads vii!
be when ordinary conditions return.
There is no certain basis, therefore,
for calculating what the increases or
freight rates should be, and 1t Is neces'
airy, for the time being at any rate,
to take care Of all increases in the
wages Of railway employees through APP
preparations from the public Treasury.
In such circumstances, it seems clear
TO me. and believe will seem clear to
every thoughtful American, including
the shopmen themselves when they
have taken a second thought, and to all
wage earners of every kind, that we
ought to postpone questions OF tins
sort until normal conditions come
again and we have the opportunity for
certain calculations as to the relation
between wages and the cost of living,
1t is the duty of every citizen OF the
country to insist upon truce i'll such
contests until intelligent settlement
can be made.
l appeal to my fellow citizens OF
every employment to cooperate i'll III
sisting upon and maintaining such a
truce and to cooperate also in sus-
tanning the government in what / con-
ceive to be the only course which con-
scientious public servants can pursue.
Demands unwisely made and passion
ately insisted upon at this time men
ace the peace and prosperity OF the
country as nothing else could and thus
contribute to bring about the very re-
suits which such demands are Intent
ed to remedy.
Entitled to Eight-Hcur Wage Scale.
There is, however, one claim made
by the railway shOpmen which ought
to be met. They claim that they are
not enjoying the same advantages that
other railroad employees are enjoying
because their wages are CALCULATED
upon different basis. The wages Of
other railway employees are based upon
the rule that they are to receive FOR
eight hours work the same pay they
received for the longer work day that
was the usual standard of the pre-war
period.
This claim is, I am told, well found
ed. and I concur III the conclusion OF
the Director General that the ShOpmell
ought to be given additional four cents
an hour which the REIMBURSEMENT aSkeI
for will justify. There are certain 9th
err adjustments, also, pointed out In
the report of the Director General,
which ought in fairness to be made.
and which will be made.
Let me add, also, that the positions
which the government must in cOn-
science take against the general IL
creases in wage levels while the pres
ent exceptional and temporarily cir
cumstanceS exist will, of course, not
preclude the Railroad Administration
from giving prompt and careful con-
sideration to any claims that may be
made by other classes of employees for
establishments believed to be proper
to secure impartial treatment for all
who work in the railway service.
WOODROW WILSON.
The White House.