The New York herald., 1921-01-13
r..t 81 ns.siatien..

aeorsef. fo'lcW;
ssyvn~r~an h.arirrs ~non the question
o. the perrsfration under private opera
tsnm ~ railways are certain 'Na'tona
arroegsesfa maae ~ the Railroad Ad-
ratnfe,ratinn ar9 the pali-Oad labor
p-.shsrhons urAer Goverrrnent control
are hsing he't before ne Railroad Labor
Baare m chirmRo and
.slxl,sreas ths pcrpefuaTon of these
national ar e~fa~wtM wostia ~ hiThfy IN
irnicai % the welfare % the rnanufactrr-
fnr inausfres ara ths people % the
United states. b. i
s.Re.o'ved. ~ the state Nanufac,ur-
srs' Association. I'm convention Assem-
hied. That Ne urEs the Railroad Labor
Beard 20 render q decision that the ma
tonal aKrecmonts are 10 Longer Ia ef-
feet and. in 40 'ar az 80 locai jpris-
dictlon may extend. authorlzlng the man
agemsnts ara the emp oyoes Of the vari-
ous individual "a ways TO enter into
agres ments regarding working condi-
tions which shall be adapted 10 promote
In their local circumstances the greatest
practicable efiiciefcy Of railroad opera
ton
I'VE oppose the perpetuation Of the
existing national agreements ard favor
local agreements between the Individual
railways and their employees for many
reasons. amons which are the follow
ing;
"i--The circumstances under which
the rallways are operated and under
which their employees work In The
various parts OF the country dlner
widely, and therefore 10 stancardize
conditions OF employment throughout
the country IA the existing national
agreements DO. In unreasonable In prin-
cipie and prevents the railways lEoin
being operated with the greatest prac-
ticable economy. Furthermore. the
Standardization of working conditions
on the railroads must ten TO standardlze
working conditions In manufacturing
plants and other Industries throughout
the country. and since the conditions
under which manufacturing and other
business concerns must be conducted
vary widely. any influence which tends
10 cause rigid Standardization OF work.
ing conditions In them must have n
tendency 10 reduce Industrial and pro-
ductive efficiency throughout the coun-
try.
would Revive Piece Work.
"2--The existing national agreements
have destroyed methods and practices
which always have been recognized as
1romotive OF efficiency. such as the sys-
.em of piece work In the shops The
continued prohibition OF piece work In
railway shops viii not only tend 20 In
crease railway expenses. but 10 make
IL more difficult 10 maintain piece work
In other Industries and thereby to re-
duce efficiency and Increase the ex-
penses OF operation OF other industries
"3. The existing national agreements
compel the railroads In innumerabie
cases to pay men for work which Is
not done or to pay them two or even
more days for one days or less than
days work. thereby causing the abb
solute waste OF many millions OF dollars
annually which the shipping and trav-
ellng public OF the United states must
finally pay In freight and passenger
rates
"A. The existing national agreements
require the railways TO promote and
lay off men in the order Of the SEMI
ority of their employment thus rem
dering II impossible for them TO pro-
mote the most competent men. or. when
business Is slack. TO lay off the least
efficient men.
'5. The existing national agreements
are so restrictive In their application
that they prevent the railways from OBJ
tanning q sufficient number Of en-
ployees in certain departments. thus
limiting the output of their shop and
causing delays in the movement of
traffic.
&c. The greatest efficiency In railroad
operation and the greatest harmony be-
tween each railway ard its employees
can be secured only through arrange
ments regarding working conditions
made by each railway with Its own en-
pfoyees.
Whereas. the inslst-nce OF the rail-
way labor organizations upon the estab-
lishment Of national boards OF adjust
ment is related to their Inslstency upon
national agreements. and which national
boards of adjustment. IL established.
would have a further tendency to ma
tionalize the railways:
Therefore. be II resolved. that be-
cause of our unalterable opposition 10
any step or steps which have n tendency
to nationalize the TRANSFORMATION system
of the country, we do hereby record our
opposition to national boards of adjust
ment.
This question OF national agreements
and national boards OF adjustment on
the railways Is OF such importance that
We urge organizations OF farmers and
business men throughout the COZ ntry for
their own protection and that OF the
public, to protest to the Railroad Labor
Board and to the railroads against
thcm.'
The following organizations were rep-
resented at the conference: Colorado
and Merchants Associa-
ton. the Manufacturers Association OF
Connecticut. Illinois Manufacturers As
Indiana Manufa cturers Asso-
citation. Associated Industries OF Massa-
Michigan Manufacturers Asso-
citation. Minnesota Employers AssocIa-
ton. New Hampshire Manufacturers As
ISOLATION. Associated Industries OF New
York State. Inc. Manufacturers Asso-
citation OF Washington. West Virginia
" anufa ct,lrers Association md xvfacor