Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-02-15
RAILROAD WAGE
 CONTROVERSY IS ! UP TO UNIONS
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 of the Lane commission, and of the board of railroad wage and working conditions, and to analyze the same so as to develop in the shortest possible time the facts bearing upon q just and reasonable basis of wages for the various classes of railroad employees with due regard to all fac tors reasonably bearing upon the problem and specifically to the fac tors of the average wages paid for similar or analogous labor for other industries, the cost of living. and a fair living wage so as to get the prob tems in shape for the earliest pos sible final disposition. The views of this board will serve as a guide to me in carrying out the assurance l gave to the employees last summer that I would use the full influence of done them and will, I believe. be a means of avoiding what otherwise might be long drawn out investiga-
 
 act at once in regard to this matter and to avoid any delay in doing SO, l shall. nevertheless, invite the CO., operation of the railroad corporations and believe they will appreciate that it is to their interest as we'll as to the public interest. to get these mat ters promptly settled"
 Union Principles.
 Af T o$x, t,-% T. that corrective factors are at work" !" these important wage matters ought not be postponed for further indef- mite period and ought to be disposed of on their merits at the earliest practicable time"
 The readjustment of living costa could not come with rapidity. Mir. Wilson explained. but added his be- lief that efforts to force prices down were having beneficial effect"
 The union reply expressed gratifi- cation with the presidents "recogni- tion of principles" which have q bearing on their demands. but added that there was a pressing necessity for immediate relief.
 We feel justified in saying" the answer continued, "that we do not believe their employees will counten- ance any plans which 6Ontemplate further delay.
 "It is our earnest conviction that the situation warrants us urging that you promptly indicate to rail- road labor that you will create bv agreement special tribunal to deal with specific and important problems"
 A set of principles with which the tribunal is, asked to deal. from the union view, were outlined as fol- lows:
 "1. Rates of pay for similar or analogous service in other industries.
 ss2. Relation of rates of pay to increased cost of living.
 B. A basic minimum living wage sufficient to maintain railroad mans average family upon a stand ard of health and reasonable com fort.
 A. That differentials above this basic minimum living wage be es- tablished, giving among other things due regard to skill required. respon- sibility assumed, and hazard incurred: decision of this tribunal to be handed down within 60 days after agreement to establish it and to be final and binding upon all railroads in the United States and the employees whom we represent"
 Wilson Warning.
 The presidents attitude followed closely the recommendation made to him by MT. Hines when he broke off negotiations with the union repre- sentatives. In his communication to the president, MT. Hines said it was impossible for the railroad adminis- tration to dispose of such compre- hensive and far reaching problem in the remaining IT days in which it will have Jurisdiction and with such ex- piring jurisdiction the railroad ad- ministration could not justify itself to the country in settling perman- entity for the future problem ot this character which involves SC much both to the railroad employees and the public which, in some form must bear the cost of railroad wages"
 In conclusion, the president warn ed the brotherhoods that any course other than cooperation with the gov ernment twill prove not only grave injury to the public. but serious blow to the important principle oi collective bargaining, and will mere ly delay rather than expedite the just and prompt solution of these important matters"
 While the cost of living has in respects became even higher than when he made his address to con gress in August, President Wilson pointed out that Gin other respects it has already begun to respond to the corrective factor which have been and are at work"
 "The campaign which the gov ernment has inaugurated, has been gaining steadily in momentum" the presidents letter continued, twill continue to be aggressively conduct ed and believe will have an i'm creasingly beneficial effect. and this notwithstanding the fact that some of the most needed remedial meas ures which I recommended to con sgress have not been adopted.
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