The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-07-20
Union Heads Make No Com
ment on, Federal Boards
Action.
AFFECTS 100000 MEN
viii Be Submitted to Refer,
endum of Union Members.
Details of Decision.

SituSCo LoIdliHR POUU,UUU,UUt
were granted to the 100000
railroad employees of the United
States in the decision of the fed.
eral labor board on the recent
demands of the ",Big Four
brotherhoods and associated
crafts.
While the award was not en-
tirely satisfactory to the brother
hoods it was understood that it
was sufficiently large to be ac-
cepted tentatively by their chiefs
and submitted to a referendum
of the men. Their decision to
await the action of the indi-
vidual unions ended the possibil-
ity of an immediate strike.
Roads Accept 1t.
Z E. c. Witer took the ruling of
the labor board for the railroad
corporations. He said that the
roads would accept and advise
the award
b. nj. Jewell was present to
represent the union brother
hoods. He made no comment on
the award but indicated that it
would be submitted to a refer
endum.
Chairman R. M. Barton pre-
sented the boards decision.
The award was made by
groups, each classification re-
-ceiving a set increase per hour,
or, in the case of engine and
train employees, per mile.
Believe Men win Accept.
Men acquainted with the situation
saw reason. to hope that the labor
boards finding would be accepted by
me me men, inasmuch as the decision of
referendum followed a careful consid-
L GRAFTON OF the wage increases based on
advance information. Then. action in
accepting the boards decision, even
as a sign that they would urge its
1 adoption by the men.
The hoard assumes as the basis OF
this decision" the award says. "the
the rule. working condition and agree
ments in force under the authority of
the United States railroad administra-
ton. The intent of this decision is
that the named increase except as
otherwise shall be added to the rates
Nof compensation established by the
United States railroad administration"
Retroactive to May I.
The reward is retroactive to May I
"of this, year.
The decision of the board grants to
he railroad workers approximately
H60 per cent of the 81 900. .O00, nO0 in |
creases which thev sought Presidents
of all the leading hrotherhoods and rep
were present whan The decision was
made public. i
Unions Wanted Billion.
Rejecting the demands of the organ |
lied rail unions for increases totaling |
approximately $1,000 100000. the board |
decided approximately 60 per cent OF
THAT sum would be a just increase to |
meet present living conditions.
Adds 81 Per Cent to Pay Schedules. |
The award adds approximately Il per |
cent to the present pay schedules Rail-
road officials have declared that any
followed by a corresponding increase |
in rates, and they plan, 1t is said, to !
4 file new tariffs with the Interstate COM
merce commission as soon they can be
tprepared.
Whether the award as given will
stave off the threat of general rail-
&road strike remains to be seen. The
eaders of practically every one of the |
. snt this morning when Judge r. NJ.
Barton, chairman of the board. handed
lown the decision. They left imme-
iiately tC present the award to 1000
General chairmen. who had gathered
here to pass on its acceptability. The
lnion presidents refused TO make any
comment before, the meeting The ap-
|proximate terms Of the decision had
been known to them yesterday. and
hey believed then their men would
' ltay in line. at least until referendum
'ote can be taken. Nearly month
4 vill be needed for the referendum.
y The boards decision is retroactive to
WAY l. The maximum increase granted
ny class was 1S cents an hour, or
S672 per month; the biggest nay check
ue when the back pay settlement is
nade Aug. ! will be for $110,16 Engi- !
eers. firemen and helpers in the yard
ervice will receive this amount
The board provides Il the back pay
hecks shall be made out separately, so
ach man will know the amount he gets
rom that source. Seven things were
he award. the preamble Of the boards
nnouncemepts saws. They were:
Boards Statement.
"The scale paid for similar kinds Of
FORK in other industries: the relation
etween wages and the cost of living:
be hazards OF the employment: train
hg and skill required; degree Of re-
.bonsibility; character and regularity Of
he employment, and INEQUALITIES in in
reases and treatment resulting from
rev;ous wage orders.
"Those persons who consider the
htes determined on herein too high
hould reflect on the abnormal condi-
ons resulting from the high cost Of
wing and the high rates now being
4 aid in other industry" the board said |
In IS per cent increase In freight rates
! IN be necessary 10 meet the 81 per
d int wage awards granted railroad en-
loves today r. r. white representa-
ve a. the railroads in the hearings
rsfore the railway labor board an
Uroes Men 20 Be Patient.
I'm this connection the labor board !
{ king into consideration the enormous
N mount Of clerical work required tn
c ork out the hack pay. urged the rail
nrkers TO Exercise pa4ience and re-
bin from unnecessary pressure or
a hticism.'
clTh4 awprd affects nearly ! l.Oon differ
Cit ciassifcations ~ employees. grouped
hder general heads
a l0fficial comics Of the award were
knded bv Chairman r. NJ Barton. Of
Ie board 20 r. NJ Jewell. represent
i x the brotherhoods. and r. T. Whittier.
Irressntative OF the railroads on be-
= W. of the latter Mr.. Whittier said
l''The railways will acrept this sched-
y and make every haste 10 put Il into
feet - 1
Nr Iewen said that any comment on I
haif of the rail workers must come I