The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-04-27
Lauck, Economist, Gives De-
tails of Labor's Views to u.
S. Railroad Labor Board
REPRESENTS UNIONS IN
WAGE REDUCTION FIGHT
Declares Highest Efficiency
Would Be Obtained Through
Unified Control
Omitted Press Staff Correspondent

Chicago, April 27.--Details of how
labor believes railroads of the United
States can save over one billion dol
lars in expenditures annually were
described by w. Jet Lauck, Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, economist,
today in a statement to the United
States railroad labor board.
Lauck appeared as witness for
railroad unions in their fight to pre-
vent reduction Of wages asked by the;
railroads.
"Highest efficiency in railroad adj
ministration will be obtained thru
"a national unified control or a, re-
gional control, which win utilize all
existing facilities regardless of COM
petiting claims" Lallck said,
He quoted former director general
William G.. McAdoo to show that
"there is no question but that great
economies are possible under uni
fed management in the direction of
a comprehensive national plan for
transporting products with mini
mum effort in the shortest line from
point to point
Lauck suggested pooling or repair
shops, elimination of circuitous rail
routes, unification of terminals, con-
solicitation of ticket offices, universal
mileage tickets, standardization OF
equipment maintenance of uniform
freight .classifications, maintenance
OF common time tables between i'm
portant points, high remurrage rates
and utilization of water routes for
relief of crowded rail lines.
Pooling Of locomotives and cars
were recommended to meet traffic
COMPOSITIONS. He said this would he
impossible under private control.
Lauck charged failure to adopt
economic devices, to Standardize loco
motives, over-development Of motive
power in respect to other facilities.
inefficient freight handling at term
malls, labor turnover waste prevent
able loss and damage, poor account
ing and other alleged eXtravagances
cost the railroads $685. 100000 an
nually.
Engine terminals and shops are
from ten to thirty years behind tho
times, rendering them about fifty per
cent efficient" the witness charged.
The permanent way" of railroads
cards, road beds.
passing sidings, coaling and water
facilities, bridges, signal equipment
and Communications been so
neglected as to be- another source OF
waste and inefficiency.'
Bridges, it was declared, are in
many instances too light, to permit
the hauling OF maximum load trains.
installation of permanent bridges,
while calling for big outlay in cash.
would net millions in savings to the
railroads each year, Lauck said.
Lack of proper signal systems
means slow handling OF trains, &C
cording to Lauck. He characterized
the system Of loading and transfer
ring freight and baggage as prim-
tive.
"Freight cars moved an average
of 26.1 miles per day in 1917 COM
pared with 249 miles dn 1920"
Lauck said, ''An increase OF two
tons per car in the load carried was
noted in the same period. There
was also an increase Of 5.6 per cent
in 1917 to 7 per cent in 1920 OF the
of unserviceable freight
cars
"Freight cars travelling loaded
moved two thirds of the time and
were loaded to two thirds Of their
Lauck alleged.
Scientific train control, Standard
lied car loading and economic sched-
uling were recommended az remedies.
"Sadly inadequate and out OF date
car and locomotive repair shops are
at the bottom of low efficiency On
Of equipment" the wit
ness testified.
GLAND to mouth procedure" IN
railroad administration resulted Ia
millions of wasted dollars according
to Lauck. He mentioned as ineni-
cient wasted labor effort due to lack
of proper supervision and looseness
Of organization" difficulties of dis
tribution of material and supplies,
policy of laying out years
work, lack .of planning, absence tof
accurate records, and careless con-
troll of water supply.
"Efficient administration would
mean reduction Of one third OF office
expenses" Lauck declared.
TO secure public sentiment an
enormous sum was expended for pub
licity according to Lauck.- ~.
He Thought 100000 annual sal
aries for executives was too much.
According to Lauck's information,
is the estimated capi-
tai outlay Of railroads necessary for
in 1921, 1922 and
1923. He estimated a saving of ST.
200, 100000 would result from the
economic expenditure of this capital
under unified control,