Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1919-08-29
The R. R. Situation
UNDERHAND DISHONEST METH
DDS RESORTED TO
By Agents of Private Owners to De-
feat Efficiency and Economy I'm
der Government Control

RAILROAD Democracy" is receiving
from other quarters. 1t is such con-
ditions as this letter discloses which
show that a government investigation
is essential. Sabotage by the agents
of the private owners to defeat eff
cheney and economy under govern
ment control has plainly been prac-
ticed with uniform success, and along
uniform lines. A probe is the first
duty of a Congress interested in the
welfare of the people. The letter is
written from a prominent railroad
center, and says:
"Almost daily we read and hear
about the great and steadily growing
deficit brought about by the railroads
being under government control. Var
ious reasons for it are being put
forth, and it is possible that those
reasons are correct. The average
man is not we'll enough posted on
such matters to contradict them.
However. there are times when we
wonder if there are not other causes
in addition to those already stated
which may have in a measure helped
to bring about this deficit.
"For instance, in the yards at this
point, prior to the time that the Gov
ernment took charge, there were four
yardmasters, and this at time when
business was exceptionally good.
Shortly after the Government took
hold of things, this force was in
creased to ten men, and they are
still there, all drawing substantial
salaries. We used to get along with
two or three trainmasters, with an
occasional extra put on for special
duty. Now there are four or five,
and the extras. The road foreman of
engines had one or two assistants,
and now there are five Of them.
"In the various shops at this point
they had one or two foremen. Now
they have as high as fifteen or twenty
and even more in some of the shops,
and in some cases the foreman has
only one or two men working under
him. In some of the offices the cler-
ical force has been doubled and even
trebled, and in one particular office
only a short time ago they had so
many clerks that they were continual
ly getting in one another's way. Var
ious official and supervisory positions
have been created and the holders of
them have been paid substantial
salary.
"And there are other matters which
might be mentioned in connection
with this. Some time ago man was
needed to fill temporary vacancy
in a clerks position which paid $12O
per month. To fill the position an
employe whose salary was $3.50 per
month was taken from his regular
position and used to fill the $120 posi-
ton, and given a couple of days IN
which to post up on the work. To
fill his position a $3.50 employe was
moved up and allowed the higher rate
of pay and to fill the vacancy thus
created a $140 man was moved and
allowed the higher rate, and all the
time there was a $120 clerk available
who had worked the first named posi-
/ ton and was acquainted with the
work.
after a certain class of employees
had been given the eight-hOur day
they were for long time kept work
ing twelve hours and paid for the
overtime at overtime rates, and were
| told that men were not available to
relieve them, and at the same time
men applying for positions were be-
ing told that men were not needed.
"The material sheds and yards are
filled to overfowing with material OF
all kinds, cars loaded with it are being
held out of the service for days at a
time, because the men in charge dc
not know what to do with it and
where to put it, and still it keeps
coming. A foreman some time ago
stated that they have enough on hand
to last them for the next five years,
What do they intend to do with it,
and of what good will it be if it is
not used up and allowed to lie around
in the weather for the next three or
four years?
"What l have written is partly the
result of my own observations and
partly what l have heard from other
men, not once, but many times.
have heard the Director General talk
on economy, and have read the var
ious letters and circulars which have
been issued from time to time, and
these other things look strange In
deed. There may be very good rea-
sons for all this of which we may be
ignorant. 1t is hardly to be expected
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