Evening journal., 1919-07-31
MUST FINISH H. C.L..
OR RAISE WAGES.
President SO Informed by
Warren Stone and Engi.
neers Brotherhood
PRoFITEERING is
CHARGED AGAIN

WASHINGTON, July 81. Warren
Stone, president OF the Brotherhood ot
Locomotive Engineers, and the advs-
ory board Of that organization have
requested President Wilson and his
Cabinet TO take immediate steps 10
lower the cost OF living. Otherwise
the President was told, wage increases
viii be asked. The request was in The
form OF a statement presented por-
sonally TO the President by Stone and
other members OF the delegation A
reply In the near future" Is asked TO
guide the future actions" Of tho en-
gineers.
The statement charges conscience
less proflteering' and expresses the be
lief that wage increase would bring
only temporary relief, In view OF con
t-nually soaring prices, and 10 effect
asks that the endless chain" OF vase
Increases followed by price increases,
be broken.
The statement SAYS:
Al meeting OF this board held 10
Cleveland, the matter OF an increase in
compensation cOmmeRsurate with the
condition We find because Of the con-
stanuy increasing cost OF living com
modities was thoroughly and studiOusl;
considered. We know that a wide
spread spirit OF unrest exists among
all classes, especially among wage
earncrs whose wages will no longer
provide adequate food. shelter and
raiment for themselves and families.
We believe this situation is brought
about mainly by cOnscienceless profit
eering by the great interests who haze
secured control OF all the ncoessaries
OF life. At this time We find ourselves
obliged TO again request an Increase in
wages to meet the mounting cost OF
living but we feel that, should this
request be granted. the relief would
be but temporary should prices CON
tinue 10 soar.
I'VE believe the true remedy for the
situation. and one that will result in
lifting the burden under which the
whole people arc struggling IS for The
Government TO take some adequate
measures TO reduce the cost OF the
necessaries OF life TO a figure that the
present wages and income Of the peo-
pie will meet. Should this not be CON
sidercd feasible, we will be forced 10
urge that those whom we represent
be granted an increase in wages to
meet the deterioration OF the pur-
chasing power OF the dollar. be That
what Il may, which can be easily de-
termined by competent authority.
This acton may be unique and II
may be properly termed A pioneer
movement in the history Of labor or
ganization in seeking an Audience with
the Chief Executive Of our country
and, in a manner suggesting 10 him
the convening OF the members OF his
Cabinet, or that portion that may be-
quickly assembled. Moreover, the re-
suit sought seems TO us TO justify the
means. and should our efforts in this
direction completely fail. then we viii
be forced 10 request for those whom
we represent the granting OF an in
crease in wages TO enable them 20 live
according TO the American standard.
I'VE invite your attention 10 the fact
that approximately n per cent Of the
locomotive engineers are American I
born citizens. and 10 may be safely |
stated that the remaining per cent. |
are naturalized citizens. end they have, I.
OF course, great interest in -, only I
their own welfare but in the welfare
OF all the people. and they are not un- |
mindful Of your past efforts in behalf
OF the people. and they believe that
they should exert every effort not only |
for themselves but for the country In /
general. as well as the administration.
Yet we iind ourselves today earning /
less money than we did prior 10 the /
war. This can be demonstrated by |
S .mply taking. as an illustration, a /
daily wage OF s. prior 20 the war |
which at that time was worth 800