Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1919-08-28
WILSON MAKES PAY
OFFER TO SHOPMEN
Compromise Proposal Made in
Attempt to Avert Strike.
AGENT BOOST is OFFERED
President Issues Statement to Public
Expressing Ills Views on Countrys
Labor Situation for First Time
Asks FOR Truce.

Washington, Aug. 26.-President
Wilson submitted to representatives OF
the six railroad shop crafts a proposal
to pay shOpmen about four cents an
hour increase, on basis Of ten-hours
pay for eight hours work, retroactive
to May /.
The president told the committee OF
100 representing the shop crafts that
any greater increase now would great
ly increase the cost Of living and there
fore was inadyisable.
Certain classes of shOpmen, repair
men and car inspectors, who have been
receiving 60 cents and 50 cents, respec-
lively, would be paid 81 cents an hour
under the proposed scale.
The shopmen's representatives told
the president they would submit the
DrOpositiOn to their members, whose
original demands were for an advance
of 20 per cent.
The president requested that the
men not act on the original PROPOSE
ton to have a congressional commit
p
vote of the shopmen on this proposition
is now being tabulated.
The increase represents a cOnceS-
sion amounting to approximately one
fourth Of the demand made by the
shOpmen.
The shOpmen ask for 20 per cent
increase on their basic pay OF 50 cents
an hour. This increase would nave
amounted to II cents an hour, where
as the proposal of the president would
give them cents an hour, or 40 cents
a day more than the workers now re-
ceive.
Wilson Issues Statement.
The president, cOincident with his
statement to the ShOpmen's representa-
tives. addressed a statement to the
public advising the nation Of the Sltua'
ton and the basis of his action. 1t is
his first publicly expressed view on the
cOuntry's labor situation.
The 4-cent an hour increase pro-
posed, the presidents statement said
represents a reimbursement OF shop
mems wages to put their pay on the
same basis as other railroad workers
that is, on ten-hour hour pay and eight
hour work basis, and accordingly Is
not in the strict sense all Increase IL
wages.
Pointing to the shOpmen's argument
that an increase in wages was neces
sary to meet the high cost of living
the president said the workers de
mands were in effect that we make an
increase in wages, which are likely tC
be permanent, in order to meet tenn
porary situation which will last no
body can certainly tell how long, but
in all probability only for a limited
time"
The presidents statement said lit is
of increases in wages of railroad EN-
ployees at this time by increases il
freight rates"
A single paragraph of the statement
is sufficient to show how serious the
president considers the entire situa
ton. He says:
"We are face to face with Situa
ton which is more likely to affect the
happiness and prosperity, and even the
life, of our people than the war itself,
adding:
SIN such circumstances it seems
clear to me, and | believe will seen
clear to every thoughtful American, in
Guiding the shopmen themselves, whel
they have taken second thought, anf
to to all wage earners of every kind
that we ought to postpone questions o.
this sort until normal conditions come
again and we have the opportunity fol
certain calculation as to the relation
between wages and the cost of living
Asks Help of Public.
at is the duty of every citizen Of
the country to insist upon a truce il
such contests until intelligent settle
mentS can be made, and made b!
peaceful and effective common counsel
II appeal to my fellow citizens o.
every employment to cooperate in in
isisting upon and in maintaining such {
truce, and to cooperate also in Sus
tanning the government in what it con
ceives to be the only course which con
scientious public servants can pursue
Demands unwiSely made and pas
sionately insisted upon at this time
menace the peace and prosperity of tn,
country as nothing else could, and thus
contribute to bring about the very re
suits which such demands are intended
to remedy"