Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-05-25
MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED
SUNDAY MAY %, 1919
THE RAILROADS.

The Journal gives space elsewhere
today to Il simple and clear analysis
of the railroad situation as contained
in published address delivered by
William Church Osborn, recently the
chairman Of the democratic commit
Zee of New York state. who IS n DIS
tinguished lawyer and advocate Of up
right standards and uplifting efforts
both in public and private life. lie
stands we'll at the front in eastern
states among men of that class, ana
also takes a close interest in govern
mental affairs.
The analysis he gave in this adj
dress Will assist greatly in pointing
to a real problem. action unoh when
he asserts cannot safely he delayed
the same old question of the rights OF
employees under many and progressive
demands for an increasing wage SCALE
1t is Mr.. Osborn's view that no
workable solution of the railroad
question can ever be made until that
feature is settled, and the facts and
figures he gives concerning much of
tbe subject matter are startling.
one of these facts is that the in
crease of the wages of labor since the
passage of the Adamson act on Jan
uary l, 1917, UP to the present time
amounts to over $90o,000,00O, and
that it has required all of the gov
ernmental increases in rates, both
freight and passenger, to equal this
wage increase.
Another fact is that the wages of
the laborers and employees of the rail
roads equal one-half of the entire
gross receipts of the great freight and
passenger transportation system there
Of, leaving only the remaining half to
meet all other expenses and provide
funds for the upkeep of the proper
ties,
Another startling fact Mr. Osborn
gives is that about one-quarter of the
war tax levy for this year, besides an
other billion to be raised by trans
nortation tax is due to. and will have
to be expended for, governmental
operation. The readers may rely with
confidence upon Mr.. Osborn's state
ment of facts and figures,
viii the public be willing to stand
the present transportation rates. and
perhaps to increase the same. in order
TO maintain the present wage scale =?
Or will it demand a reduction thereof?
Upon any settlement it makes of
the question, will it demand that the
unions surrender their right to strike
in further adjustments, or will it leave
that question unsettled and simply
postpone that conflict which the pub
lie generally. and the best economic
students in particular, think must be
settled before any proper or lasting
settlement can be made?
In event the unions should not be
left with the power to call strikes for
refusal of further increases, what rs
surance, guarantee. or Arrangement,
will the public make by law for the
protection of the laborers in :he cam
ing of fair wage and stop it at that?
Much has been said about turning
back to the owners of the railroad
properties themselves. Mr.. Osborn,
who undoubtedly knows of What he
speaks, says such owners are Inwill-
ing to receive back their properties
unless these questions are settled by
law in way which will free the own
ers from the embarrassments and
from the bankruptcy which finally
will probably occur in event they re-
main unsettled.