Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1920-05-26
RAILWAY MEN ASK
BILLION INCREASE
Wage Board Is Likely TO Favor
Pay Boost.
EMPLOYEES SIDE is HEARD
Read Executive Points Out 20 Labor
Arbiters Result; e. Mems Demands
Means Sc Fer Cent Raise In
Raj Rates

Chicago. May 1S.-Wage Increases
q more than Sl.0oO.Oc0Oo0 to railroad
employees. with an advance ~ 5 pei
cent 90 the public In the cost OF freight
transportation service. were forecast
ca the first meeting u the United
States railway board. now Ia perma-
Ucut headquarters GO Chicago.
The roads already are asking for q
- per cent raise In freight rates O.
take care ~ the wage increases al
ready granted. sp0kesmen for the
roads declared They viii need an
other 80 per cent raise 20 grant the
additional wage demands 81 the rail-
WORKERS. the board was Informed
A statement a. the railroads side a.
the problem was made by +. I. Whit
e.. chairman 81 the conference com
mittee u the Association u Railwa.
Executives.
The entire hoard appointed Apr
~ by President Wilson. was present
The members are: Henry Hun
George W. Hangar and II. NJ. Barton
representing the public: Horace Bak-
~. J. III. Elliott and William l.. Park
Tor the railroads. and Albert Phillips
A. o. Wharton and James ]. For
rester. for the employees.
Call on States for Aid.
Washington. Nay 1S.-Railway AMI
public service commissions In every
state were called 70 the aid of the In
terstate commission and the railroads
% break the freight blockade.
The commission teiegraphed the
state agencies asking them 10 cooper
ate fully and 20 use all means In their
power "a alleviate conditions IN their
states.
The commission announced definite
ly that e did not contemplate holding
hearings upon the appeal of the rail
reads for the government 20 use its
emergency powers under the trans
portation act
Members ~ the commission met
with Representatives OF the raIlroads
"a discuss means Of breaking th'
freight blockade. officials declared
the problem was ~ such magnitude
that a solution might require more
time than az first anticipated. They
were hopeful. however. that today oi
Wednesday would see n definite pro
gram for the movement ~ the vas
volume - accumulated freight.
Preference for Feed Cars.
The railroads suggested several de
tails 20 the commission for inclusio'
in lts traffic plan. One ~ these was
~ general scheme Tor the movement
grain cars westward and coal cars
eastward 60 meet current require
meuts.
Cars for food and perishables. how
ever. would have fun preference over
nu others under the railroad men
plan
Meanwhile. more trouble for al,
railroads doomed IN reports 10 the
commission aud the car service com
rnIttee ~ the railroads. Several lines
hitherto able "a kcep their tracks rein
lively clear. were reported as smOth-
cred under the avalanche ~ freight.
Chief among these was the Wheel
fn= and lake Erie. Numerous shor
lines were said 10 have felt the reac
ton q the congestion violently viii
IN the last few days. Advance pre-
CAUTIONS hy the short lines however
have STAYED on n tieup for them sew
eraI days. but It's effect IS now being
felt. and only local shipments ar,
moving. according 20 late advIces.
49,.
The great ueed a. the moment Is Z
clear the tracks II nonessential ship
nsants and open the way FOR the IRE
movement ~ the necessities ~ life.
So great - the traffic congestion. ne
.cur,ling 20 reports and complaint.
FROM many quarters. that there Is im
mediate danger II wholesale closin
81 big Industrial plants and the cor
seouent cut In production.
should the commission find on ID
strength ~ reports laid before IL hy
the railway executives. that the emo
rency iustIfes 60. ortiers taking over
virtually complete control ~ the move
ment 81 freight may he issued.
The first step would be the isSuanc,
az priority orders Tor shipment OF cos
Tor which there 6 crying need az many
points. food and perishables. The ns
~ cars would be limited 20 these com
rnodlfieS. but railroad men said tho
were more concerned with the prob
lem - moving and unloading upwy
81 10000 cars that have caused the
congestion.
The process ~ curtailinE paSsenge
service has been considered BY a.
roads 90 expedite freight movement
bur officials said this would be don
only as a last resort.