Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-10-17
BOARD SUGGESTS TRANS
LATI0N OF WAGE CUT
INTO REDUCED RATES
CONTINUED from Page One.)

and satisfactory to the public than
to promise that future wage reduc-
tons will be passed on to the peo-
pie in The form of reduced freight
rates. The public undoubtedly
expected this result when the July
wage reduction was made, and it's
contamination now, though some-
what delayed, would be highly
gratifying The direct benefits
would promptly follow and that
the psychological effect would be
instantly beneficial cannot be
doubted.
such reduction in the cost of
living as might result from this
and other causes would inure TO
the benefit of the railway en-
ployes and would constitute one of
the statutory grounds for further
reduction in wages. 1t would have
a tendency to reduce the cost of
material supplies to the carriers
and it would not then be neces-
sary for the carriers to rely sole
ly on wage cuts for a reduction
of operating expenses.
"Deflation should be general,
and as far as possible, uniform.
I'D to this time the farmer Is the
only man that has Debated, and
he came to the earth with a thud. |
This was because he did not pos
sess the parachute OF organization
to break his fall.
another catastrophe of that sort
should be avoided if possible. |
Wage and freight rates should
come to Just and reasonable level
uniformly or by alternating stages.
Future Wage Disputes.
"Of course, nothing in these OBJ
servations should be construed to
indicate what the action of the
labor board will be on any wage
dispute that may be brought be-
fore it. Such disputes viii continue
to be adjusted by the board in ac-
cordance with the evidence sub
mitted and the requirements of the
transportation act. When reduc-
tons are juStifiable they will be
given.
TT is understood that there is no
intention to indicate in any sense
the duty of the Interstate Com
merce Commission.
I'm this connection it may be in
formation to the public to know
what factors the transportation act
requires the labor board to con-
slider in fixing wages. They are:
"1-Scale of wages paid for SINH
lar kinds of work in other indus
tries.
"2--Relation between wages and
the cost of living.
"3-Hazards of the employment.
"4-Training and skill required.
"5-Degree of responsibility.
"6-Character and regularity of
employment. ;,
"7-Inequalities of increases In
wages or of treatment. the result of
previous wage orders or ADJUST
ments. Other relevant circum-
stances are also to be considered.
Definite Propositions.
at is obvious that the first two
factors are subject to frequent
change, and that, during a post
war period Of readjustment, the
changes may be rapid and radical,
necessitating a more frequent re-
vision of wage schedules than
would ordinarily be necessary.
"Condensing the foregoing sug-
gestions into definite propositions,
they stand:
"1-Let the carriers Immediate
ly give a general rate reduction
by the July wage reduc-
ton. and the benefits derived from
the new rules; and devised under
of the Interstate Com
merce Commission to afford the
greatest degree of relief to the pub
lie.
"2--Let the request for further
wage reductions be withdrawn UNI
til rate reductions are completed.
"3-At such time as the carriers
deem advisable, let them present
to the labor board their petition
for a further reduction in wages,
based on conditions then existing.
H-Pending the working out OF
the rate reduction and the action
Of the labor board on such petit
ton for further wage reduction
as the carriers may subsequently
let the strike order be
No Sacrifice Involved
"This method of procedure has the
merit OF affording cooling time
to everybody concerned. and re-
au,res of the carriers only one
thing, that they give to the public
in reduced freight rates the benefit
of the July wage cut. just as they
are proposing to do in case of fur
Their wage reductions. 1t also In
wolves withdrawal or suspension OF
the strike order by the employees.
"The course suggested does not
involve any sacrifice Of pride or
prestige, either to the carriers or
to the employees.
'In view OF the enormous de-
struction of property values, the
deadly blow to slowly reviving bus
mess and the appalling human pri-
walton. suffering and death that
will follow tierip Of the country''s
transportation system. the people
should bring to bear on both par
ties the pressure of an impartial
III