The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1920-07-23
UNITED STATES
RAILWAY BOARD
MADE ITS AWARD

States railway board today announced
wage increases totaling almost $780,
100000 annually for 1,894,287 en-
ployes of the roads.
Leaders Of the 16 rail labor crafts
affected by the increase were to 90
| into session today at II o'clock to
consider the awards. Their approval
or disapproval probably will be an
nounced by tomorrow night. Their
recommendation to workers in the
ranks probably will determine wheth-
or or not there will be strike trouble
in the near future
Judge r. NJ Barton, chairman of
the board, handed out the pamph-
lets containing the award. Imme-
diately afterward he called a confer
ence in his chambers of heads of
all unions, and f. T. Whittier, chair
man of the board of railway man.
ayers. Following the conference
the union heads were to meet gen
eral chairmen of their unions for
discussion of the award.
The increase awards for the most
part were on an hourly basis, rang
ing from 13 and Is cents per hour
for the more poorly paid workmen,
to an average of 8 and 10 cents
for the higher grades, such as train
and enginemen.
The increases, roughly, average
from 20 to q per cent. Demands
by the unions had run from 80 to
66 per cent.
Judge R. NJ. Barton, chairman of
thee Rail Labor Board, after an
nouncement Of the awards, said:
This award necessarily in the end
will have to be paid by the public
and will result in increased freight
rates.
Efficient railroad service has
been difficult and sometimes impos-
sible with the men receiving the
wages they did. The board has been
fair and just in this complex and in
tricate problem"
f. T. Whittier, chairman of the
Executive Board of Railway Man
ayers, after a cursory reading of
the decision, said:
7 Il have not read the decision en-
tirely but | can say that the rail
ways will abide by the boards
award"
The award said it found with
few exceptions railroad employment
is more regular and that the char
ter of the work is more desirable
than like occupations outside"
1T is clear that the cost of living
in the United tSates has increased
approximately 100 per cent since
1914" the report said. an many in
stances the increase to EMPLOYEES
herein fixed, together with prior
increases, exceed this figure"
Anticipating the award would not
meet universal favor and attempting
to allay dissatisfaction, the board de-
clared those persons who consider
the rates determined on herein too
high should reflect on the abnormal
conditions resulting from the high
cost of living and the high rates now
being paid in other industries.
The employe who may believe
these rates too low should consider
the increased burden these rate will
place on their fellow countrymen,
many of who are less favorably sit
uated than themselves.
An effort was made, the state
ment said, to arrive at an increase
sufficient to provide "a decent liv-
ing and secure for the children of the
wage earners opportunity for edu-
cation" without showing preference"
for any class because "the great
mass of the people must ultimately
pay great part of an increased cost
of operation entailed by the increase
in wages"
If railroad labor will render "the
best service of which it is capable. !"
says the award, "the American peo-
pie will receive benefits far out
weighing the cost of increases de-
clded upon" The board asks in
making the award that it serve as
an inspiration to workers to at
tempt better service to the public
and spirit of cooperation. This
will result in economics of mate
rial and labor and solution in trans
portation difficulties, it said. The
public" deserves and has a right to
expect this spirit, board members
declared.
The board, which has worked on
the problem since April Is, met at
8 a. m. today. The entrance to its
rooms was barred by a long table
on which were piled the pamphlets
containing the awards.
Newspapermen and leaders of the
unions, including Timothy Shea, B.
M. Jewell and w. G. Lee, lined up
at the barrier to receive the docu-
ments when the clock licked $3.50
o'clock. Judge Barton lowered about
the table as Secretary Carrithers
dealt out the awards.
Shea was one of the first to OBJ
tain helping. He casually opened
the pamphlet as he strolled back to
the group Of union heads who await
ed him. The men glanced through
the table cursorily and Shea pocketed
his copy. Shortly afterward the men
went into the office for a short con-
ference with members of the board,
and E.. T. Whittier, only representa-
tive of the railroad managers.
The union men then left to at
tend their own meeting. The board
members, their work finished for the
present, will consider the express
mems demands next week.
Register Now and avoid the Rush !!