Arizona republican., 1920-02-15
tribunal to take up these problems and carry them to conclusion.

3-I shall at once constitute com mittee of experts to take the data ai- ready available in the various records of the United States railroad admin istration. including the records of the Lane commission, and of the board of railroad wages and working condi- tions and to ana1yze the same so as to develop, in the shortest possible time, the facts bearing upon a just and req sonable basis of wages for the various classes of railroad employees with due regard to all factors reasonably bear ing upon the problem and specifically to the factors of the average of wages paid for similar or analogous labor for other industries in this country, the cost of living and a fair living wage, the earliest possible final disposition The views of this board will serve as a, guide to me in carrying out the assurance I gave to the employees last summer that I would use the full in fluence of the executive to see that justice was done them and will, believe, be the means of avoiding what might otherwise be a long drawn out investigation of facts. While 1 pro- pose to act at once in regard to this matter and to avoid any delay in do- ing so I shall nevertheless invite the cooperation of the railroad corporations and believe they will appreciate that it is to their interest as well as to the public interest to get these matters promptly settled.''
 Hints Early Adjustment
 MT. Wilson said he recognized the necessity for .disposing of the problem without further delay. but asked the continued cooperation of the unions and requested them to use their in- fluence in obtaining recall of the strike order issued by the maintenance of way workers.
 He said that c0r- rective factors were at work, in con- trolling the cost of living, these inn portant wage matters ought not to be postponed for further indefinite periods and ought to be disposed of on their merits at the earliest practicable time. 2
 The establishments of living costs could not come with rapidity Mir. Will son explained. and added his belief that efforts to force prices down were having beneficial effect
 The union reply expressed gratifica- ton with the presidents recognition of principles" which having a bear ing on their demands, but added that there was pressing necessity for i'm mediate relief
 We feel justified in saving" the union answer continued that we do not believe the employees will coun- tenance any plan which contemplates further delay.
 Tt is our earnest conviction that the situation warrants us urging that you promptly indicate to railroad labor that you will create, by agreement. a special tribunal to deal with specific and important problems"
 Union Outlines Principles.
 4 set of principles with which the tribunal is asked to deal, from the union view, were outlined as follows:
 "1-Rates of pay for similar or
 analogous services in other indus
 tries.
 '2-ReIations of rates of pay to
 increased cost of living.
 "3-A basic minimum living wage
 sufficient to maintain railroad
 mans average family upon a stand
 ard of health and reasonable com
 fort.
 "4HThat differentiaIs above this
 basic minimum living wage be es-
 tablished, giving due regard to
 skill required, responsibility as-
 sumed and hazards incurred; deci
 sion to be handed down within 60
 days after agreement to establish
 it, and to be final and binding upon
 all roads in the United States and
 employees whom we represent
 In statement Supplementing their letter to the white house. the union officials declared their conviction that a settlement of the controversy along any lines other than on the principles they set forth would be "at best a makeshift." They declared those prin- c.ples to be Fundamental, and appealed to the public mot to fear that any wage increase granted us will prove a ster in the so-called- vicious cycle.'"
 Ask Aid of Public.
 ..It is the conscienceless organizing Of profits and not the increasing cir cle of costs incident to giving labor a living wage that the public should be on guard against" the statement said.
 rLabor, assured of uniformly fair treatment and relieved of distress and worry due to inadequate wages. will always, through greater efficiency and a desire to return square deal for square deal. hold labor costs on a sound economic level by inceasing produc- ton and service. We ask the Ameri- can people to see that we are met half way in our effort to settle sanely and fairly. but speedily. a great and try ing rroblem.'