New-York tribune., 1921-02-01
Atterbury, for Executives
of transportation Cor
porations, Tells Board
of Gravity of Situation
Union Leaders Ask
Inquiry by Wilson
Workers Answer Demand
With Charge of Extrav-
agance i'm Operation
spcctal Dispatch to The Tribune


CHICAGO, Jan. 31.-Many of the
railroads are facing bankruptcy and
must have quick relief, according to w.
W. Atterbury, chairman of the Associa-
tion of Railway Executives, who ap-
peared before the United States Rail-
way Labor Board to-day, and asked i'm
mediate abrogation of the national
agreement between the railroads and
their employees. The agreements
specify rules and conditions under
which employees work.
Mr.. Atterbury declared that the stu
alton of the railroads was SO acute and
that there was such difference of
opinion between the two sides Of the
question that any conference was out
of the question. He said that If the ma
tional agreements were abrogated now
the railroads would not seek reduc-
tion of basis wages for at least three
months after the order becomes etyec-
tive. The intervening time would be
used to test out the efficiency of econ
onIies which might be instituted free
from the limitations OF the present
agreements.
Ultimately, 1t was said, there would
pc need for reduction in basic wages
if the cost of operating the roads is
to be cut to point where rates might
be reduced. It was proposed that the
rules and working conditions in force
December 81, 1917, be resstablished.
JewaiI To Ra Hard
Chairman E. M. Barton, after hear
ing Mr.. Atterbury and the opponents
of his petition, ruled that the board
would consider the proposal for i'm
mediate action in an executive session
B. M. Jewell, representing the employ
ment department of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, was given permission
to present the employees side and was
assured that the board would not act
On Mr.. Atterbury's proposal until he
had been heard.
Jewell and six other railway union
leaders tonight sent telegram to
President Wilson asking him to inyes-
tigate the statement of Mr.. Atterbury,
and if it were found true TO place the
matter before Congress to enact reme-
dial legis alton Immediately.
Mr. Atterbury in his plea said that a
Low N0yo Ac1dy Auik III tuISW CAc blsuA-
tion into chaos and flood the board with
petitions from the roads for wage re-
ductions.
He said that the national agreement
which was forced uron the roads owing
to wartime conditions caused great
waste and inefficiency. He said it's
abrogation would result in saving of
$300,000,000 year.
Many railroads are not now earning,
and with present operating costs have
no prospect of earning. even their bare
operating expenses" Mr.. Atterbury
said. with declining prices and wages
in industry and agriculture the coun-
try demands that the solvency of the
tion in operating expenses and not by
further advance in rates.
eve believe that as che wages Of
railroad employees were the last to go
up, they should be the last to come
down, but we do insist that for an
ample wage an honest days work
shall be given," Mr.. Atterbury said.
More Evidence
"The public has right to insist
that this must be obtained. The pub
lie has also the right to expect that
the railway executives, as rapidly as
possible, reduce the cost of railway
operation so as to eventually insure
reduction in rates.
"The railroad committee presenting
evidence for the abrogatfon of the ma
tional agreements have far from ex-
hausted their evidence on this subject.
But it will be dangerous to continue
the consideration of these agreements
rule by rule.
"The urgent financing necessities of
the railroads will not permit them to
wait any such length Of time for re-
lief"
Henry T. Hunt, representative of the
public on the Labor Board told Mr..
Atterhury that Mr., jewell had in
formed him that the brotherhoods were
{ContInued on paas seysntssn)