Evening star., 1919-08-26
The Presidents Appeal.

truce" in wage disputes for the pres
ent. and not demand permanent in
creases of pay to meet temporary
cost conditions. He predicted that the
cost Of living would certainly be low
cred SO soon as there were settled
conditions of production and COM
merce, and in addressing the labor
representatives. characterized the pres
ent condition as more likely to at
feet the happiness, prosperity and
even the life of the people than the
war itself.
How the 100000 shopmen would re-
ceive the Presidents appeal for their
Cooperation in this time of national
test and crisis" was today a matter Of
much conjecture. A strike vote was
taken among the men last Monday
on the question of whether they
would quit work to enforce the con-
railroad administration instead of by
congressional commission, as was
originally suggested. The result has
not yet been tabulated. but it will
action of President Wilson puts a
new complexion on the entire con-
troversy.
The statement of Mr.. Hines today
said it has been deemed contrary to
the public interest to make general
present temporary circumstances gen.
orally, but the railroad administra-
ton will give prompt and thorough
going consideration to any claims
that may be made by other classes of
railroad employees for readjustments
believed to be proper to secure i'm
partial treatment for all who work
in railroad service.
The Concession to Shopmen.
Carrying out this policys with re-
gard to shop employees" continued
the statement, 'it has been decided to
give all classes of such employees,
other than car inspectors and freight
car repairmen, an increase of 4 cents
per hour. The reason for this is that
other classes of railroad employees
have had their wages adjusted in such
manner that in addition to receiving
a specific increase in wages they also
had the benefit of receiving for eight
hours work the pay that in the pre-
war period they had received for their
longer day, and 1T is believed this in
crease of cents per hour will give
shop employees the full benefit of the
same principle.
1T has also been decided that. with
the exception mentioned below, car
inspectors and freight car repairmen
now receiving So cents per-hour will
be given 81 cents per hour, which is
the rate which will be received by
steel freight car repairmen. who now
get So cents per hour. This is done
because it is believed to be a fair and
reasonable equalization of these
classes of employees. The exception
mentioned is that the increase of 4
cents is proposed for car inspectors
and freight car repairmen at outlying
points, to be determined in conference
with the representatives of the shop
organizations. The increases decided
1919, for employees who do not leave
the service pending the completion
and adoption of national agreement
with the shopmen's organizations, this
action having been decided upon be-
cause 1 had concluded that had not
unusual circumstances intervened the
report of the board of railroad wages
and working. conditions matter would
have been made at about that time."
Letter to A. o. Wharton.
In a letter addressed to A. o. Whar-
ton, chairman of the board of railroad
wages and working conditions, Mr..
Hines today said in part:
1T is desirable. respecting the
claims now pending, or to be filed
before your board, to define the func-
tions which it is appropriate for your
board to perform in view of the de-
cision announced by the Pesident yes
terday with reference to the policy
the government must pursue in regard
to railroad wages as a part of the
general campaign which the govern
ment is waging to reduce the high
cost of living in the interest of all
lC..,t;n,,aI a., Saccnd PAGE