Evening journal., 1921-10-27

Pennsylvania Railroad. in recent
address, said:
"a law Of supply and demand
should ultimately settle railroad
wages and working conditions, but
meanwhile a realization OF these
conditions by the Federal Labor
Board and the labor leaders would
do much to promptly adjust that
situation. Railroad managements do
not desire to have under-paid or
disconnected working men, but It is
evident that all must share in this
general readjustment. 1t is useless to
ask the public to sustain war wages
and working conditions, which are
still keeping thousands OF railroad
men out Of work and these men
who are out OF work must certain
lv see that the continuation OF the
National Agreements and the classi-
hcation OF employees which restricts
men to one single line OF activity
and prevents them from doing any
thing else Is cost which they are
carrying so that the men still re-
tanned In the railway service can
continue to enjoy the high pay and
wartime privileges. Further, the
men on the farms and in the other
Industries have accepted lower pay
and they are called upon to pay
higher railroad rates so that rail-
road men can be kept upon a high
er plane OF wages and working priv
ileges than themselves. From what
viii state you will see that we have
no quarrel with the Labor Boaue
or with labor unions. and desire
none. on the contrary I have long
waited for the time when the labor
leaders, and the labor Journals. in
stead or believing that their posi-
ton was more secure by hostility ia
railroad arrangements and railroad
owners, would realize that cO-opera-
ton was much better for both. and
was the only way to impress the
3 public to pay for their railroad SER
vice an amount which would mean
fair wages TO the employees, a fair
return to the owners. and a con.
stantly improving and reliable ser.
vice to the public. But the adjust.
ment OF these matters. the abolition
OF the restricted Output, the restora
tion OF pre-war efficiency. and free
dom OF relations between employer
and employees so that both maj
prosper, and the discontinuance o
strike talk. and of sympatheti
strikes. could clear the situation
with these must come the right 4
/ l. -
working conditions with the men o.
our own payrolls. through the EN-
ployes they choose as their repre-
sentatives. and a realization the
wages cannot be paid unless the rail
roads can earn them, and can main
tain their credit. Likewise. IN
c | Transportation Act should b
c amended so that subordinate raj
@ road officers are not thrown unde
i the same regulations as to wage
n and working conditions as the mel
e This is breaking down disciplin
e and encouraging laxity. II can a
y be adjusted without loss or suffer
b ing II the labor leaders will do the
Il duty. They are In a stronger pos
o tion II they rely upon The publ
Is support for fair wages and >workin
3 conditions than TO talk about strik,
y which would settle nothing. an
e continue a policy which leaves raj
4 roads no alternative but to maintal
It high rates for transportation SCI
e vice so as to continue wartime pa
Il and working privileges. The lab,
4 leaders must, therefore, answer n
T. public demand as TO what they al
n willing to do to help decrease ui
d employment and promote prosperit
a SO far they have conceded nothin
r VERY truly yours.
e "WILL1AM II. BARR.
5. President