The Washington times., 1920-07-19
ROADS TO LET
THOUSANDS co
Announcement OF Wage Board
Expected to Be Followed
By Discharges.
PENNSY CUTS 10 PER CENT
Men Are Restless Over lmpend-
ing Findings, Though In
crease Is Expected.

Jobs of thousands of railway men
IN Washington and throughout the
country hang in the balance pending
the report Of the railway wage board
appointed by the President under the
Esch- Cummins act for the return of
tho railroads.
The board Is expected to announce
its awards tomorrow.
CUT ON PENNSYLVANIA.
The nrst intimation OF the possible
effect on personnel of the roads came
with the announcement OF the Pe0n-
sylvania railroad that 1t would dis
charge 10 per cent of all employees
in the maintenance, equipment and
clerical departments OF the southern
grand division, effective Wednesday.
The number of men affected in
Washington alone is about fifteen.
There are about 40 employees in the
shops at Benning, where fourteen
will be released. In the offices of the
Jersey yards about ten persons are
employed.
The southern grand division Of the
Pennsylvania railroad includes the
Baltimore division. from Baltimore to
Washington and north to Harrisburg;
the Maryland division. from Baltimore
to Philadelphia and from Perryville
to Columbia; the Delaware division.
and the Norfolk division.
AFFECTS 200 IN BALTIMORE.
At the office OF George NJ. Smith
division superintendent In Baltimore,
this morning, II was said that no in
formation had been received as to
whether the reduction affected the
remainder of the railway system, and
no statement could be obtained as to
whether the reduction was in antici-
patton of the award to be made in
Chicago.
The order affects about 200 men in
Baltimore. Notice OF the decision was
posted in the shops and offices Satur-
day. Economy was given as the rea-
son. There will be no reduction at
present in the number Of firemen.
brakemen or conductors. Neither will
there be any reduction in the number
of starters, gatemen, porters, and
baggage or ticket handlers, although
the cut in the maintenance, equipment
and clerical departments led ito ru-
mors that a later order might affect
the other classes.
Inc Step Uy tHe
railroad has not been followed yet by
the other railroads entering Washing
ton.
At the office of Vice President
Copeland. of the Southern railroad, It
was said that no attempt had been
made to anticipate the action OF the
wage board. and no reduction in force
had been discussed.
EMPLOYEES RESTLESS.
A similar reply was obtained at the
office of superintendent Tonge, Of
tho washington Terminal.
Local representatives of the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad said they had
received no intimation of any reduc-
ton of force. The Potomac yards at
Alexandria are not at present affect
ed, it was stated at the office of the
superintendent.
Local railroad employees are walt
ing somewhat restlessly for the de-
cision of the wage board which was
appointed to forestall demands for
increased wages made months ago.
Vice President Doak of the Brother
hood of Railway Trainmen; Vice
President T. ]. Mcnamara, of the
brotherhood Of Railway Firemen, and
Vice President II. T.. Wills, of the
brotherhood of Railway Engineers,
are in Chicago attending a conference
Of heads OF railroad unions to consider
the contemplated award by the wage
board. They will be prepared to act
Immediately after the award is made,
and decide whether it is satisfactory
or will be the subject OF further de-
mands.
w. /. McMenimen, deputy president
of the trainmen, remains in Washing
ton to look after the interests OF the
men here. Mr.. McMenimen has sue
ceeded in averting number OF
strikes and walkouts on the part OF
men who wished to take drastic
measures to secure better wages and
working arrangements.
"It is too close to the actual an
nouncemcrt to try to make any fore
casts." said Mr.. McMenimen this
morning. "The men have waited so
far, and IL will be time enough to
act when we md how much the
board has done for us"