The state herald., 1919-08-08
WANT WAGE INCREASE
MUST HAVE MORE MONEY IF Llv-
ING COST is NOT cuT=sooN.
BROTHERHOOD OF LOCOMOTIVE
ENGINEERS PUT HIGH COST
UP TO WILSON,.
Newspaper Union News Service.

Western Newspaper Union News Service
Washington, July 3l.-The high cost
OF living and growing unrest among
wage earners Of America were put di-
rectly up to the President by the ad-
visory board Of the brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers.
The memorandum follows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen Of the
Cabinet:
The gentlemen accompanying, with
myself, constitute the advisory board
of the Brotherhood Of Locomotive En-
gineers. They are the officers of that
organization who are charged with
the responsibility Of safeguarding the
interests of Its membership and direct
ing Its policy.
"They come from practically every
section OF the United States and Can
ada. They are In constant, close touch
with the rank and file of the locomo-
tive engineers and also have II general
knowledge of the conditions of all toll
Ing classes.
AT meeting Of this board In
Cleveland the matter OF an Increase
In compensation Commensurate with
the condition we find because of the
constantly increasing cost OF living
commodities was thorousfk and stu
diously considered.
1--WE know that widespread spirit
OF unrest exists among all classes, es-
pecinlly among wage earners, whose
wages will no longer provide adequate
food, shelter and raiment for them
selves and families.
ave believe the situation Is brought
about mainly by consciencelcss profit
eering by the great interests who have
secured control OF all the necessaries
of life.
AT this time we find ourselves
obliged TO again request un increase
In wages to meet the mounting cost
Of living: but we feel that should this
request be granted the relief would be
only temporary should prices continue
to soar.
I'VE believe that the true remedy
for the situation. and one that will
result In lifting the burden under
which the whole people are struggling,
lis for the government to take some
adequate measure to reduce the cost
OF the neccssarIes OF life TO q figure
that the present wages and income OF
the people will meet.
"should this not be considered feas.
ible, we win he forced To urge that
those whom we represent be granted
nm incrense In wages To meet the de.
teriorntion Of the purchasing price of
the dollar. be that what 1t may. This
can easily be determined by competent
authority.
This action mny be unique nnd 1t
may be properly termed u pioneer
movement In the history Of labor or
gnnizntions In seeking nm audience
with the chief executive OF our coun.
try. and In manner suggesting to
him the convenlng OF the members OF
his cabinet or that portion that may
be quickly assembled.
However. the result sought seems
TO us TO Justify the means, and should
our efforts IN this direction complete
ly fail then we viii be forced To re-
quest granting OF mn Increase In
wages TO enable them to live accord.
ing 10 the American standard.
"Yct we find ourselves today earn.
Ing less money than we did prior to
the war. This can be demonstrated
by simply tnlsing MS nm illustration n
daily wngc OF 50 prior to tho war.
which at that time wns worth 800
cents. md today II is worth npproxI-
mnicly, Judging from competent au.
thorl,y. only SaI5.
ave Invite your attention TO the
fnct That approximately II per cent
OF tho locomotive engineers nrc Amer
lean born citizens. nnd II may be
snfely sirtcd that tho remaining per
cent nrc nnturnlIacd citizens; md
: they have. OF course. n great inter.
, est In not only their own welfare, but
In the welfare OF nil the people, aud
they nrc not unmindful OF your past
efforts In behalf OF tho people, and
they should exert every effort, not
, only for themselves. but for tho coun.
sy In general as well as tho ndmin.
lstrntion.