The Washington times., 1919-08-26
Proclamation Of President
On High Living Cost

The director general Of rail-
roads and ] have felt that a pc
culiar responsibility rests upon
us because in determining this
question we are not studying the
balance sheets OF corporations,
but in effect determining 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, and must assess
our responsibility accordingly,
For IL is neither wise nor feasible
to take care of increases in the
wages Of railroad employees at
this time by increase in freight
rates. It is impossible at
this time, until peace has come
and normal conditions are restor-
ed, to estimate what the earning
capacity OF the railroads Will be
when ordinary conditions return.
There is no certain basis, there
fore, for calculating what the in
creases of freight rates should
be, and IL is necessary, for the
time being at any rate, to take
care Of all increases in the wages
Of railway employees through ap-
propriations from the public
Treasury.
In such circumstances II seems
clear to us, and believe will
seem clear to every thoughtful
American, including the shopmen
themselves when they have taken
earners of every kind, that we
ought to postpone questions of
this sort until normal conditions
come again and we have the op-
portunity for certain calculations
as to the relation between wages
and the cost OF living. 1t is the
duty Of every citizen Of the coun-
try TO insist upon a truce in such
contests until intelligent settle
ments can be made, and made by
peaceful and effective common
counsel. I appeal to my fellow
citizens OF every employment to
cooperate in insisting upon and
maintaining such a truce and to
cooperate also in sustaining the
Government in what I conceive
to be the only course which con-
scientious public servants can
pursue. Demands unwisely made
and passionately insisted upon at
this time menace the peace and
prosperity Of the country as moth
ing else could, and thus con-
tribute TO bring about the very
results which such demands are
intended to remedy.
ShOpmen should Get Extra Pay.
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
railway employees are enjoying
because their wages are calculat-
ed upon a 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 thu pre-
war period. This claim Is. I am
told. well founded; and 1 concur
in the conclusion Of the director
general that the shOpmen ought
to be given the additional four
cents an hour which the read
justment asked for will justify.
There are certain other adjust
ments, 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 posi-
tion which the Government must
in conscience take against gener-
al increases in wage levels while
the present exceptional and tenn
porary circumstances exist will Of
course not preclude the railroad
administration from giving
prompt and careful consideration
to any claims tnat may be made
by other classes Of employees for
readjustments believed TO be
proper to secure impartial treat
ment for all who work in the rail-
way service.