New-York tribune., 1919-07-31
Brotherhood Chief Asks
Wilson and Cabinet to
Check High Costs and
End Spirit of Unrest
Profteering Laid
To Big Interests
Executive Impressed and
Promises Consideration
on Their Direct Appeal

WASHINGTON, July 30. - The al
tentative of governmental action to
force down the cost of living or Of a
demand by the railroad engineers of
the country for another increase in
wages was presented 70 President Will
son to-day by Warren s. Stone, grand
chief of the Brotherhood of Locomo-
tive Engineers, and members of the
brotherhoods advisory board.
Detailing conclusions reached BY tho
advisory board at its recent meeting
in Cleveland, Mr.. Stone in prepared
statement read to the President de-
clared that while the railroad engi-
neers found themselves "obliged to
again request an increase to meet the
mounting cost Of living" they were of
the opinion that "the true remedy for
the situation and one that will re-
suit IN lifting the burden under which
the whole people are struggling is for
the government to take some ADEQUATE
measures to reduce the cost of the
necessaries of life to figure that the
present wages and income Of the peo-
pl, will meet"
The brotherhood board outlined no
plan Of action for the government to
take beyond saying it was believed
that "this situation is brought about
mainly by conscienceess profiteering
by the great interests, who have Sc
cured control Of all the necessaries of
life"
President Wilson. it was said at the
White House after the conference,
which lasted half an hour, was much
impressed with the statement present
ed and promised to give serious con-
sideration and study to the question Of
what the government might be able TO
90. Previous to their conference with
the President the Brotherhood Of
ficiala conferred with Director Cen
erai Lines, who expressed sympathy
with their request that governmental
action be taken to lower living costs.
The President was told by the
Brotherhod board chat widespread
spirit of unrest exists among all
classes, especially among wage earners,
whose wages will no longer provide
adequate food, shelter and raiment for
themselves and families"
Stones Statement
After requesting that some action be
taken by the government, the state
ment read by Mr.. Stone and which
also was addressed to members of the
Cabinet, said:
feasible, we will be forced to urge that
an increase in wages to meet the de-
terioration of the purchasing price of
the dollar. be that what it may, which
can be easily determined by compe-
tent authority.
"This act on may be unique and it
may be properly termed pioneer
movement in the history of labor or
CARNATIONS In seeking an audience
with the Chief Executive of our
country and, in a manner, suggesting
to him the convening of the members
may be quickly assembled. However,
the result sought seems to US to justi,
fy the means, and should our efforts
in this direction completely fail, then
we will be forced to request for those
whom we represent the granting of an
increase in wages to enable them to
live according to the American stand
ard.
n Per Cent Born Here
eve invite your attention to the fact
that approximately n per cent of the
locomotive engineers are American
born citizens, and it may safely be
stated that the remaining per cent are
naturalized citizens, and they have, of
course, a great interest In not only
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 we'll as the Administration.
~
less money than we did prior to the
war. This can be demonstrated by
simply taking as an illustration daily
wage Of S. prior to the war, which at
that time was worth 500 cents. and to-
day is worth, judging from competent
authority, only $2.15.
$50, while it may be stated that we
have had a substantial increase in COM
pensation when considering money
only as medium of exchange, our in
come has been substantially decreased
when compared with pre-war prices.
Increase Not Remedy
"The Brotherhood Of Locomotive En-
Eineers appreciates the fact that all
wages are being increased and that
constant demands are flowing to the
employer, and we must, of necessity,
be mindful of the interests Of our
craft, but we do not believe that in
creasing the compensation. accompa-
MED by n greater increase in the cost
of commodities of life, will produce
lasting benefits to our craft or to the
American citizen in general
"The unanimous opinion of the ad-
visory board, our duty to the locomo-
tive engineers and to our country as
American citizens impclled us to seek
an audience with you and your Cabinet
for the purpose of laying this stun
ton before you, and we trust that you
can find way to Immediately inau-
gurate executive action to remedy it.
I'VE trust that you may find it con-
sistent to give us, in the near future,
something definite as to what VIC may
expect that will aid in guiding US as to
our future actions.