New-York tribune., 1921-04-05
Big Four Rail
Chiefs Favor
Warfield Plan
Committee of Workers and
Investors Agree Proper
Cooperative Measures Can
Put Roads Back on Feet
Unions Won't Do 1T All
Security Holders Hint That
Lines Will Get No Cash if
Their Views Are Ignored

Representatives OF the National AS
sociation Of Owners OF Railroad Securi-
ties met with leaders OF the "Big Four"
hrotherhoods at the Hotel Astor yes
.srsey In an effort to assist in bring
ing about an early adjustment of the
railroad situation. AT the conclusion
of the session the conferrees, in a joint
statement, said they "felt convinced
that solution is practicablc,' and
through proper cooperation of all
narties interested and governmental
agencies there should be no further
delay in adjusting the situation"
No plan was set forth through which
4 was hoped to bring about this early
adjustment, but it was understood that
the labor leaders favored the "W ar
teld' plan of railroad control. This
plan, which was proposed TO the Inter
state Commerce Commission at Wash
ington last month by S. Davies War
field, presitent IF the securities own
ers' association, provides for a national
railway service division of the com
mission and four regional railway
and operation of the lines in their re-
spectivc regions. According to Mr..
Warfeld, at is designed to coordinate
facilities and bring about greater ef-
ficiency and economy in railroad ad-
ministrat ION
Big Four Heads Favor 1t
The regional board phase of the
plan is declared particularly to appeal
to the "Bg Four" leaders, the latter
having recently held meetings with the
railroad executives on the question OF
restoring these boards, established
during the government control of the
lines. About a week ago the railway
heads informed the Big Four that
the question Of the establishment Of
these boards would have 70 be decided
by each road for itself.
1t is known that the roads want 10
get way from the uniformity of
waca and working conditions result
ing from the regional board system
and desire TO get back to basis of
"home rule where each road can deal
directly with its own employees.
When the security owners were
asked how they intended to force the
railroad heads to recognize any plan
proposed by the conference, in view Of
the opposition to their activities by
several of the railroad executives. one
Of them said: "W claim to hold Sl2,-
eco COO 00G worth Of railroad securities.
We desire to brine about 4 solution OF
he railroad problem. and while not
ready to make known cur plan Of pro
cedure. we feel that we are in q posi-
ton TO act. 1t must be remembered
that $3.50 100000 worth OF railroad Sc
curities mature this year and that
practically none OF the roads is making
sufficient revenue TO meet its fixed
charges This certainly ought to indi-
cate that the securities owners can do
something's
For Federal Control
William Johnston. president Of the
International Association OF Machin-
;Sts, declared that while some plan
might temporarily avert crisis
At this time, the only permanent solu-
ton of the situation was government
control of the countrys lines. Mr.
Johnston attended yesterdays confer
cnce IS the representative Of all the
rational and international unions
whose members are employed in rail
road shops.
at is futile for The roads to tell
wage reductions at this time" he said
ESPECIALLY as long as they continue
their present wasteful and extrava-
CANT scheme OF operation. Hundreds
Of thousands cf dollars are being
wasted. Only recently the Pcnnsyl-
vania Railroad, in having 200 locomo
tives repaired in the Baldwin works
spent $500 600 in excess of what il
would have cost If the road had done
the work itself Between 1000 anc
So ,00O vas spent in rebuilding obso-
lete locomotives chat originally cos
$4,000 thirty-thlee years ago
l.. -. ri q
of the meeting it was declared that the
discussion covered all phases Of the
railroad situation, including the ques-
tons of wages and working conditions
at was realized" ran the statemen
Chat all parties in interest-the public
the investor and the employees-car
accept as satisfactory no solution which
is not based upon efficiency and genera
economy in service The employees
representatives made plain their at
titude toward the adjustment o.
deficits at their sole expense. unaccom-
panied by comprehensive methods tha
will lead to general economies.
After full consideration of the posi-
ton of the representatives of the en-
ployees and of the possible bases fol
solution of the outstanding dihicultis.
the representatives OF the association
of security owners feel convinced tha
solution is practicable, and through
proper cooperation between all the par
ties in interest and the governmental
agencies charged with the response
bility in these matters there should bs
avoided any further substantial della!
IN adjusting situation that, if con
tInued, is recognized by the conferee
as being destructive and impossible.
The discussion was earnest and fre,
i
cate any fundamental impasse, and i
was distinctly reconnixed by the mar