Gilpin observer., 1920-12-09
PACKING HOUSE
men GET RAISE
FEDERAL JUDGE AWARDS STOCK
YARDS EMPLOYEES PER CENT
ADDITIONAL.
GRANT WAGE INCREASE
BONUS TO ABOUT 125,ooo MEN Al.
LOWED BY JUDGE ALscHuLER
IN CHICAGO.
Western Newspaper Union News Service.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Chicago, Dec. S.-A 5 per cent wage
increase for the period between Mon
day, July 3, 1920, and Sunday, Dec. 3,
1920, was granted employees of the
packing and allied industries in de-
cision handed down by Federal Judge
Samuel Alschuler, arbitrator in pack
ing house wage disputes,
The employees had asked a flat in
crease of 81 n day.
The decision upholds the contention
of the packers that the cost of living
has fallen to such an extent that in
creases for the future were not iusti-
fled, but found the employees were en-
titled to an increase over the amount
paid during the last five months.
The retroactive award will give an
average of $3.50 to approximately
100000 men, packing officials estimat-
ed or total of S2,T5O,0O0. Judge AL
schuler stipulated that the checks
should be distributed not later than
Dec 22.
While the case arbitrated applies
only to packing house employees in the
Chicago district the decisions of Judge
Alschuler have in the past been ap-
piled TO more than 100000 packing
house employees throughout the pack
ing centers of the middle West, includ-
ing Kansas City, st. Paul, Omaha,
Sioux City and st. Louis.
In n series of supplemental orders,
Judge Alschuler adjusted dfferentials
hnt .ln .,f DC
Slack barrel coopers will receive an
hourly rate of not less than 81 cents,
and sheet metal workers and electri-
clans who have been receiving less
than this rate were advanced to it.
These increases are effective from Dec.
6 but do not apply to beginners and
apprentices.
Workmen employed in moving heavy
machinery or other articles are ad-
vanced to 571a cents an hour, as their
work requires greater skill than that
of common labor, ut 53 cents.
Explaining why the general increase
was limited to five months period,
and not continued into the future,
Judge Alschuler's decision says:
"The question of continuing the in
crease for the future Is, of course, i'm
portant Considering ii only in its re-
lation to the cost of living, my judg-
ment is against its continuance. The
prices of those great basic staples
which enter so largely into food and
clothing values have for quite II num-
ber of weeks been declining most
sharply. 1t is true that retail prices
have not yet taken the downward
course to nearly the same degree, and
in some instances not at all. A fire.
quent preteXt is the claim of being
stocked up with the goods at
the higher prices, although In
most instances the possession of goods
at low prices was no bar, when whole
sale prices advanced, to raising mt once
the goods on hand, with II good profit
on the advance itself. Increased wage
rates are also urged as reason for
keeping up the prices; but it must be
remembered that at the reduced whole
sale prices Of the finished article, all
the labor has already entered into it up
to the time 1t is sent to the retailer.
.'It Is no doubt true that the ulti-
mate consumer is still the victim OF
unconscionable eXactions."