Norwich bulletin., 1919-08-26
PRESIDENT WILSON
 HAS CALLED HALT
(continued From Page one.)

| situation which will last nobody can 1 certainly tell how long. but in all probability only for a limited time. ] Increases in wages will, moreover cer- tainly result in still further increasing the costs of production. and. therefore, the cost of living, and we should only ! have to go through the same process again Any substantial increase of wages in leading lines Of industry at this time would utterly crush the gen. eral campaign which the government is wagins. with energy. vigor and sub- stantial hope of success. to reduce the high cost or living. And the increases in the cost of transportation which would necessarily result from in- ployes would more certainly and more immediately have that effect than any other enhanced wage costs. Only by keeping the cost of production on it's present level. by increasing produc- tion and by rigid economy and saving on the part of the people can we hope for large decreases in the burdensome cost Of living which now weighs us down.
 The director general of railroads and
 I have felt that a peculiar responsible
 .ty rests upon us, because in determinA ing this question we are not studying the balance sheets Of corporations
 merely. we are in effect determining
 the burden of taxation which must fali upon the people of the country in gen. eral We are 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 the wages of
 railroad employees at this time by in-
 creases in fire ght rates. It is impos
 sibe 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
 I., f4,- Ion a1of tx.I1.
 the increases of freight rates should
 he and 1t is necessarv. for the time
 being. at any rate. to take care Of all
 increases in the wages of railway enn-
 ployes through appropriations from
 the public treasury.
 Should Call Truce.
 In such circumstances it seems clear to me. and believe will seem clear to every thoughtful American. including the shoomen themselves. when they have taken second thought, and to all wage earners of every kind. that we ought to postpone questions of this sort until normal conditions come again and we have the opportunity for certain calculation as to the rela- ton between wages and the cost of living. It is the duty of every citizen Of the country to insist upon truce in such contests until intelligent set dement's can be made. and made by peaceful and effective common coun- sel. I appeal to my fellow citizens .of every employment to cooperate in in- sisting upon and maintaining such truce. and to cooperate also in sus- tainirfg the government in what con ceive to be the only course which conscientious public servants gan pur- sue. Demands unwisely made ana sassionately insisted upon at this time menace the peace and prosperity of che country as nothing else could, and thus contribute to bring about the very results which such demands are intended to remedy.
 Advance for Railway Shopren.
 There is. however. one claim made ly the railway shopmen which ought l 10 be met This claim that they are not enjoying the same advantages that other railway employees are enjoying | because their wages are calculated ether railway employees are based uFon ! the rule that they are to receive for i eight hours work the same pay they for the longer work day that 1 was the usual standard of the pre- war period This claim is. I am told | well founded. and concur in the con cIusion of the director general that the shopmen ought to be given the addl- tiona1 four cents an hour which the read djustment asked for Will justify There are certain other jadjustments. s. also pointed out in the rencrt Of the director general which, ought in fair ness to be made. and which will be | made.
 Let me add. also. that the position which the government must in cor- science take against general increases in wage levels while the present ex- ceptional and temporary circum- stances exist will of course not pre -lude the railroad administration from givine prompt and careful considera- ion to any claims that may be made by other classes of employees for re- adjustments believed to he proner to secure impartial treatment for all who work in the railway service
 WOODROW WILSON.
 The White House. 9 August. 1s1a