The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-02-15
RAISE
ASH.C.L.BOOST
Government Authorities Look
for Increase to Come
Early This Spring.
UNION HEADS DENY CHARGE
More Wages Will Not Cause
Prices to Jump, They
Declare.
UNION HEADS DENY CHARGE

A nationwide increase In living
costs now is regarded as practically
assured in the opinion OF many Gov
ernment authorities on economic
conditions.
The increase is expected to come
early this spring and summer.
Increase Assured.
Experts base this prediction on the
certainty that 100000 railroad work
ers will be given a substantial in
crease in wages by commission to
be set up by Congress. or q private
tribunal, promised by President VIII
son In the event Congress does not
take this action.
Railroad union officials deny an in
crease to them will bring Increased
living costs.
The American people need not
fear" reads the union statement
madt4 y.y.,aic here, "thAt wage In
creases'.as may in justice granted
us win prove step An the vicious
circle of ever-increasing prices 'and
resultant higher cost of living. pro-
vided the forces Of the: Government
are alert and determines TO prevent
undue pronteering.
See Boest IN Rates.
Government experts point out,
however, that increased wages to
railroad employees spell certain in
crease in railroad rates. The present
financial condition of the railroads
makes 1t impossible for them to pay
Increased wages without an increase
in income, according to experts.
A general freight rate increase will
give manufacturers an excuse for
raising prices, II is argued. Retail
dealers in turn will take advantage
of this excuse to exact an additional
increase in their prices.
In addition, retail dealers in all
towns and cities where, large num-
bers of rail workers live will raise
their prices Immediately when the
rail workers begin to benefit from the
new scales, say experts. They point
out that Labor Department records
indicate that prices of necessities in
variably have. scared in all manufac-
turing cities Immediately after the
announcement Of general wage in
crease.
That an increase to rail men IL
practically assured Is the conclusion
drawn by Gcvers 1ent officials from
the story of the negotiations between
the rail union officials, Director Gen
eral Hines and President Wilson.
made public late yesterday when the
White House gave out a mass OF cor
respondence.
The correspondence showed that
President Wilson and Rail Director
Hines carefully avoided any state
ments tending to show they believed
the rail workers demands were un
justified. Government officials feel
certain that the rail workers will be
given some increase within ninety
days.
The rail workers favor continuing
the negotiations. through a special
tribunal to be set up by the Presi-
dent. To hasten this they called a
congress Of union officials which will
convene here February 23. This Is
the day on which the contract OF the
Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen
will be terminated through the action
Of President w. @. Lee, who gave
notice to that effect to the railroad
administration.
Opposed To Delay.
The rail union chiefs frankly con.
demned any tribunal being set up by
Congress. This would mean delay,
they stated in their letter to the
PreSlOent, utuNtTtu iHte ytsNeTuay
The rank and file of workers would
be unwilling to indorse delay, they
| declared.
The attitude of the President on
this point Of the negotiations is not
known. II is considered unlikely
however, that the President will set
up a special tribunal In view of the
certainty that Congress will provide
for the establishment OF a tribunal
| in the bill returning the roads to pri-
yate control. The bill will be passed
within ten days. II is believed.
DETROIT, Feb. 15.--Indefinite post
| ponement OF the proposed strike of
SOC. .OOO0 maintenance OF Way en-
ployes which was to have become ef-
fective February II, has. been an
lnuoncod by Allen Barker. president
Of the union. Barker said the post
ponement was In accordance with
President Wilson's request that ac-
ton be deferred pending further ne.
[, gotiations OF the wage controversy.
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