Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-08-29
RAILWAY WAGES INCREASE
MORE THAN LIVING COST,
SAYS THE RAILWA AGE

New York, Aug. 90. - Railway
wages have increased more in pro-
portion than the cost of living since
the war began, according to statis-
tics published to-day in the Railway
Age. President Wilson's action in
granting the shop employees only a
small part of the advance in wages
for which they asked is declared by
the Railway Age to have great sig
niicance because largely a recogni-
ton OF the fact that, on the basis of
increased cost of living they were
not entitled to a large advance.
His attitude and utterances clear
ly indicate" il says. that he has
decided to make no further substan-
tial advances in railway wages un-
der government operation The claims
Of the shop employees were based
partly on wages paid to similar
classes OF workmen in other indus
tries and partly on the increase in
the cost OF living. The advance of
four cents an hour given them makes
their wages slightly higher than
those of workmen in the principal
metal trades.
"As to the advance in the cost of
living since the war began, it cer-
tainly cannot be shown as to rail-
way employees in general that the ad-
rances in their wages have not kept
pace with the increase in the cost of
living. The results of all the inves-
legations which have been made in
dicate that the increase in the cost
of living during the five years since
the war in Europe began has been
approximately so per cent.
In the year ended June 80, 1914.
the average earnings of a railroad
employe were $50. In the year end
ed on June 80. 1915. they were ss27-
In January, 1919, the railways had l.
s4s,774 employees whose average
earnings for the month were SIPS.
At this rate the average per employe
per year would be $500, but addi-
tional advances have been granted
since then which make the average
present earnings of a railroad en-
ploye at least 1888 a year. Com
pared with 1915. therefore. the aver
age inrease in earnings per employe
is s5 per cent, while compared with
1914 the average increase is SO per
cent. These increases exceed the in
crease in the cost of living.
LAS nearly as can be estimated.
railway wages are now running at the
rate of 100000 per year. Di-
ISSlOE SSuSIaI r1lHSS mas eSlITldLeQ
that If all the demands for advances
in railway wages recently made
should be granted the increase in the
railroad payroll would be $500, ,000,-
600 a year. This would make it a
total of 100000 per year. For
1.s4S.774 employees this would make an
average annual wage of Sl.965. The
increase in the average earnings per
employe over 1915. If this additional
advance should be granted. would be
1877 per cent, while the increase over
1914 would be 142 per cent.
1T is by no means improbable that
President Wilson's virtual announce
ment that no substantial general ad-
vance in wages will be granted will
result in a general railroad strike.
The older railway labor brother
hoods, which formerly were conser-
vative. have passed into the control
of men who are as radical as the
Russian Bolsheviks and who are
drunken with the idea of their
power. Their advocacy of the Plumb
plan. which is nothing but the Rus