Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-12-22
'PENNSY' LINES
DECENTRALIZE
FOR SERVICE
Official Points Advantages in
Rail Operations Under
Divisions.
CITES BETTER RESULTS

Decentralization of the operation of the
public and to employees has been decided
upon. according to an announcement made
by ". ". Atterbury, vice president in
charge Of operations, in Il meeting at
Philadelphia attended by officials of the
road and more than 800 representatives
Of employees. Mr.. AtterDury's statement
TO the meeting has been transmitted to
the local office of the railroad.
Mr.. Atterbury said in part:
COfncident with the return of the rail-
roads to their owners on March l, it
has been decided that so far as the Penn
sylvania system was conceded, deem
eralizati0n as Tar as practicable, would
become effective, and with this end in
view the regional system was adopted.
Prior to Government control, we had the
Eastern lines and Western lines, with
the Cumberland Valley, the Grand Rapids
x Indiana, the Yandalia, and the New
York, Philadelphia and Norfolk, operated
more or less independently. The great
transportation centers of st. Louis and
Chicago, he gateways of the West, and
Of the South were without adequate ex-
ecutiye representation. We are again in
active competition with the other trunk
lines, but now enjoy the advantage of
having the organization SO decentralized
that important matters can now be set
tied without the necessity of coming to
system headquarters for decision. This
means satisfied patrons and satisfied pa
irons means good business.
VALUES PLEASED
PATRONAGE.
As representatives Of the employees you
-i~f1lV fufa-naf s1f In n nj
age. and an aggressive, business getting
organization. To you it means greater
e2fnings, more regular employment and
earlier promotion.
1t has been clear to me that the ex-
listing overlapping of the schedules, or
contradictory schedules, on the divisions,
or in the regions, would necessarily ere
ate a situation which the men would
themselves recognize and would yolun-
Iarily organize themselves. TO provids
regional committees to correspond with
or regional organizations. l have been
willing to await this time, but our hands
have been forced, I feel, by the decision
If the labor boards that they have no
Jurisdiction in regard to boards Of ad-
justment. The boards of adjustment can
only be formed by the voluntary act of
The management and its employees. This
explains why I have called this meet
ing.
Three principal points should be dis
eussed: First, regional committees;
second, the principals Of schedules
whether system, regional or divisional;
lnird, the setting up Of machinery 10
promptly handle controversial questions
COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING.
Eve have had collective bargaining
In force for at least seventeen years.
This meeting today is in continuation
Of that policy.
In all these seventeen years, although
occasionally strikes have been threatened,
never once mas strike been called. We
have always been able to compose our
difficulties. You represent the "conserva-
tive in labor organizations. You neither
practice nor advocate the CLOSED shop"
nor the sympathetic strike, nor can a
strike Of your organizations be called
without its being properly submitted to
your membership, by ballot. You do not
Intentionally through your schedule limit
production, as the combination of day
and mileage" is piece work" pure and
simple.
The management also has a duty to
the public If the railroad is granted
reasonable and fair rates, the public
in return is entitled to efficient ana
satisfactory service.
LAX DISCIPLINE
SPELLS DISASTER.
. Last, but not least is the duty Of
the management to the employees, thar
is good wages, good working conditions,
and discipline facility and impartially
maintained. Kindness courtesy and con-