The New York herald., 1921-10-27

been put in effect in any class of en-
rloyees without bringing 1t to this board
or by agreement with it's employees?' p
Mr.. Hooper asked. directing his ques-
ton to the executives generally.
b. A. Worthington, president of the
Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Western,
sa he had. "In the latter Iart OF June
Ne gave notice to the four brotherhoods
that We would like conference as to
working conditions he said.
"rhe Brotherhood of Railroad Train
mems committee responded. but we were
unable to reach an agreement when the
committee was authorized BY It's chief
executive to stop such negotiations
"Overtime Pay stopped"
"on August we iscontinued pay
ment of time and one-half for over
ime.
I'VE suggested that after the confer
ence. If any controversy arose, we would
take the dispute to your board.
'If the board decides that question
against US we will pay back pay from
August l, when the change went into
effect"
When a road makes a change like
that, doesn't 1t encourage defiance OF
the boards decisions?" asked Mr..
Hooper.
"It didn't occur to me that this change
might violate any board decision, be-
cause a thirty day notice had been
given" Mr.. worthington replied.
Mr.. Hooper then asked Worthington
il he would be willing to revoke his
order pending the boards decision and
Worthington seid he would.
That Is a fine example to set" Mr..
Hooner exclaimed.
while that feeling is ramrant," Stone
irterjected, may read list of thirty
eight other roads which are in the same
boat?" He was permitted to read his
list.
Only One Line Cited.
Only one OF the roads named by Mr.
Stone was cited in the present hearing
1t developed from further testimony
The remainder coming under q hearing
held last MAJ and on which the board
has not yet rendered a decision.
Chairman Barton explained that IN
every case where a violation by one OF
these socalled short lines was brought
TO the attention OF the board, the road
had been asked to maintain previous
wages.
Unfortunately" Mr.. Stone retorted,
we WANT t0OSe WageS TOT our fIltn now
not for their grandchildren. Those
men are now compelled to work for
these reduced wages. Where we haven't
the strength to resist we merely have to
stand for It,"
Mr.. Hooper pointed out failure OF the
unions and roads to appoint arbitration
boards provided for by the transportation
act had thrown a heavy burden on the
board and delayed decisions in pending
cases.
YES" answered Mr.. Stone. "but W,
are in no wise RESPONSIBLE for the trans
portation act. We did not want II. ant
we did everything In our power to de-
feat IL.
"The railroads did want II and they
put the burden on your shoulders"
"Rond Always Behind"
w. G. Bierd, president Of the Chicago
and Alton. one OF the owners OF thu
Peoria Railway Terminal Company. on,
OF the roads named by Stone, explained
the stat''s Of tho Terminal.
The property has never earned ex
penses, Mr.. Bierd said. but under Fed
eral control the Government paid the
deficit. On return of the road to prl
vate control 1t was necessary to reduce
rates Of nay. he said. even new freight
rates failing to give relief.
Mr.. Bierd said he called the Terminal
employees together to consider the pro-
posed new rates of pay. The company
agreed to reduce pay only to the point
where the road could earn only operatine
costs. If this was not possible II would
be necessary to cease oreration.
The employees therefore agreed, Mr.
Bierd said, to accept rs to So per cent
OF their standard rate Of pay.
80 far as / know. not one man has
objected" the witness added.