Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1921-03-30
SUBSCRIPTION RATE
AN ANSWER TO RAILROAD
PROPAGANDA From Labor


paign to force down the wages Of
the workers and to destroy exis.
ting labor organizations, the rail
roads are flooding the country
with misleading statements.
All are designed to poison the
public mind against the workers
by making it appear that the rail
roads difficulties are directly
tracable to the high wages paid
employees and to the unfair and
unreasonable working rules en-
forced by labor organizations.
A complete answer to this pro-
paganda is to be found on page
1907 of the Congressional Record
for February p, 1921.
In memorandum prepared by
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion and submitted to the United
States Senate on tina date the fol-
lowing facts are revealed:
In 1919, under government
control, the operating expenses
OF all Class roads were $4,419,-
98S,75O.
In 1920, when the roads were
under private control for ten
months and under government
control for only two months. the
operating expenses totaled $3.50,
970,021.
The increase under private con-
troll was 81 ,391 100000.
Was that increase caused by
advances in workers wages?
The United States Railway
Labor Board granted an increase
IN June, 1920, retroactive to Nav
!, 1920. This was the only adj
vance granted under private own
ership.
The highest estimate of the cost
cost OF that advance was $6O.OOO.-
OOO a month. We believe an i'm
partial investigation would show
that the actual cost was very
much less han that estimate.
For the purpose of this argu-
ment. however, we can afford tc
accept the highest estimate.
The wage increase was in eff.
feet for eight months during 1926
IRON May lst to December 81
At 100000 month this would
mean an addition to operating ex
penses of $480,O00.O0O on account
of wages.
But the total increase in oper
ating expenses under private con
troll, as shown(by the Interstat,
Commerce Commission, was 81,
391,OOO,OOO
After allowing the most ex
IRENE estimate of the wage in
crease, we still have $9l1,O0O,OO(
to account for.
What did the railroad manager,
do with that vast sum of none,
under private ownership.
The highest estimate of th,
cost of that advance was 500,
O0O,OO0 a month. We believe al
impartial investigation woulc
show that the actual cost wa
very much less than that es
innate.
For the purposes Of this argu
ment, however, we can afford t.
accept the highest estimate.
The wage increase was in eff
feet for eight months durin,
l920-from May / to Decembe
81. At 100000 a month thi
would mean an addition to Oh
Grating expenses of $4S0OOO,OO(
on account of wages.
But the total increase in oper
ating expenses under privat,
control, as shown by the Inter
state Commerce Commissio,
was 81 100000.
1870 "iioNhlS lHc most e<
IRENE estimate of the wage in
crease, we still have $o11OOOOO|
to account for.
What did the railroad mana
gers do with that vast sum un
der private ownership?
1t can not be claimed tina
they invested it in equipment o
in construction and maintenance
Their additions to equipment ar
unimportant and instead q
maintaining and reconstructin
they have dismissed tens of thou
sands of employees who nigh
have performed that essentia
work.
Government control has bee.
denounced by the publicit
agents of the railroad executive
as an orgy of waste"
If that be an accurate descrip
ton what should be said of tn
performance under private own
ership?