New-York tribune., 1921-04-19
Q3 Railroads
Open Drive to
Reduce Wages
Paw I4O to 24O p. c., Liv-
ing Costs 90 p. c. Over
1914 Level, New England
Lines Tell Labor Board
40 Heard ON First Day
Employees to Contend Earn
ings Did Not Keep Pace
When Prices Advanced

CHICAGO, April 1ss--Eastern rail-
roads, appearing before the United
states Railroad Labor Board, opened
.seir drive to-day for sweeping wage
,sauctions for all unskilled labor and
in some Instances for shop and train
service employees.
Over the protest Of the labor organi-
,atious the board decided to proceed
with the consolidated wage hearing Of
disputes certified by ninety-three rail-
rosds Of the country.
Scores of exhibits, most Of them
dealing with the cost Of living and
wages for similar labor in other in
dustries, we're filed, RS carrier after
carrier laid its evidence before the
board this afternoon. Nearly two
score roads had finished their presen-
,ator when the session finally ad-
jeurned.
Special representatives OF the New
York Central, Erie and the New Eng
lsnd roads presented their own cases.
Other Eastern roads were represented
sy ]. G. Walber, of the Bureau Of In
formation of Eastern Railroads, who
stated the contentious of each road
separately. In opening their pleas for
wage reductions, the carriers declared
there had been a widespread reduction
Of wages of from 10 to 80 per cent and
that the cost of living had reccded
steadily for several months.
New England Figures Given
Ten New England roads presented
exhibits through 0. L. Bardo, general
manager of the New York, New Haven
& Hartford Railroad, presenting a re-
port from the Massachusetts Commis-
sion on the Necessities of Life. which
showed 35.3 per cent reduction in the
cost OF living there since July, 1920.
Hourly wages on New England lines.
said Nr. Bardo, had increased from *
70 49, cents since 1914. at will
therefore be seen," ne concluded, Chat
the increase in basic hourly rates and
weekly compensation varies between
la0 and 240 per cent, whereas the in
creased cost of living at it's peak was
io26 over 1914, and is now &c per
cent higher than in 1914"
Although no general wage was fixed
in asking reductions, r. l.. Parsons. of
the Erie, requested for his road that
the scale Of April 80, 1920, be placed
in effect and that the board suspend
It's wage decision of July, 1920, pend
ing reSstablishment of reasonable
wages. The rates named were those
IN effect just prior to the 1920 wage
decision, which became effective MAY
! 1920. The Erie would make the
aeard's new decision retroactive If the
old scale did not meet the new deci-
slpn, Mr.. Parsons said.
Elisha Lee, Of the Pennsylvania
Eastern lines, asked reductions affect
ing 135: 900 employees, following con-
isEences with virtually all employees
EXCEPT the train service men. The
Pennsylvania asked that rates of pay
varying territorially be established, MIR.
Lee said, adding that the "spread'' of
ntes for shop employees prior to 1918
vas very much greater" than at
present
B. & O. Files Exhibits
More thar a score of other roads. in
ending the Delaware, Lackawanna e.
Western, Central of New Jersey, Hook
ing Valley, Baltimore & Ohio and
otner Eastern roads, submitted exhibits
through Mr.. Walber.
Several other Eastern roads will ap-
pear tomorrow, after which Western
roads will have their inning.
Ine evidence employees will present
ssalnst wage reductions was outlined
oy b. VI. Jewell, president of the rail-
way employees department of the
American Federation of Tahor