New-York tribune., 1921-01-30
Half Billion Pay Slash
Planned by Railroads
Committee Considers Three
Ways to Effect Annual Srp-
ing already Determined Upon
Special Dispatch to Thc Yritun,

CHICAGO, Jan. 29-Agreed that half
& billion dollars must be cut from the
operating expenses of American rail
roads, but undecided as to the best
way OF accomplishing that economy.
the labor cominittee of the American
Association OF Railway Executives to-
day continued discussion Of their plan
te reduce the wages of railroad en-
ployees throughout the country in
order to assure the roads a 6 per cent
revenue.
". ". Attdsbury, vice president of
the PennS ylvania lines and chairman
CT the committee, and half dozen
railroad presidents who are associated
with him. declined to reveal the de-
tails OF the plan. the progress already
made or the probable decisions. The
committee met behind locked doors at
the Blackstone Hotel.
II was generally understood, how
ever, that the executives agree in be-
iieving that railroad labor must give
up, IN one way or another, between
S4oo 900 600 and $500 900 600 a year if
the railroads are to earn the per
cent return guaranteed them by the
Federal transportation set.
Three Courses Open
Three ways OF accomplishing this cut
IN wages have been suggested, it is
said They are:
Inauguration of a publicity campaign
TO WIN public support OF the retrench-
ment program, this campaign to in
ciude advertising Of the "secret diplom-
acy' which is alleged to have been be-
hind the Adatnson law and subsequent
railway wage awards. Advocates of
this plan argue chat wages could be
reduced without difficulty once the
public had been convinced Of the JUS
tIco of such move.
An immediate showdown to bring
the case before the United States Rail-
way Labor Wage Board. Under this
plan the railway brotherhoods would
be asked to consent TO wage cut. In
event of refusal the case could then
be taken straight to the Federal board
az an appeal for emergency relief. 1t
was in this way that the brotherhoods
initiated the proceedings which led to
general wage increase last year
incorporating war with labor in
the o!d-fashloned manner Such a
move would be started bv susnerdjng
high-priced men and curtailing activi-
ties. Then jobs would be filed with
eaeap recruits from the growing ranks
Ok unemployed.
Few Favor Labor War
- ~ % oitH SsSOH1 pans, 1t is said
are more in favor than the third.
wnich has few supporters That one
pisn or another will be adopted is CON
sIdercd certain, for every member OF
tne conference is said to be convinced
tnat reduction of wages ia necessarv
FROM the executives' viewpoint, a cnt
OF approximately 100000 600 wear
N operating expenses is essential
Aorogation Of the national shon agrae-
nents, over which labor chiefs and
railroad heads are now fighting before
,ne Railroad Labor Board, will e1iminate
between 800 900 and $50 600
9r r present expenses, it il extimatsd
me railroad heads say the rema;nder
wages. ~ 'ouucihg
Ihe committee has not the right n
hscide for the American Associate ~
% Railway Executives. The assoc,a.
tson is likely, however, to approve the
committees findings. '''''e 'he
Memoers Of the committee said to-
ahsy tnat the conference might 90 ~
tnfoogh Tomorrow. A decision nroh ia
aDiy viii be reached by Mondav. i Is