New-York tribune., 1921-03-16
Action Taken by Employ
ees of New York Cen
trail Forecasts Program
All Lines Will Follow
Even Present Wage
Held Inadequate
Two More Roads Move to
Reduce Scale to That i'm
Force Before July 20

By the action of the EMPLOYEES OF
the New York Central Railroad YES.
terday it was indicated that the rail
road workers IN the East have decided
10 reject all proposals of wage reduc-
tons and carry their fight to the United
States Railroad Labor Board.
Alta conference between New York
Central officials and representatives OF
unskilled and semi skilled men on the
line the railroads proposal that the
workers accept wage cut of from II 70
to 81 per cent, effective April |. vas
fatty rejected, on the ground that
"these employees were not receivinp
sufficient income, even at the present
time, to maintain their families prop-
erly.'
At the same time the news came
from Philadelphia that 5000 laborers
employed on the Philadelphia &. Read
ing Railroad refused to accept a pro
posed wage reduction ranging from Is
to 25 per cent. The decision. however.
was not final, the men agreeing to meet
the railroad heads again at a confer
ence on March 90
Cut Accepted on One Road
The first break in the ranks of +he
workers, however, was noted in the de-
clsion Of the employees Of the New
York d Long Branch Railroad. who.
following conference with Superin-
tendent Lee W. Kerr, agreed Yesterday
TO accept the reduced wage scale pro
loSed by the Central Railroad of New
Jersey, the owners of the line. The
ne" schedule provides for return 70 the
pay o5talnl1g before the increase
granted by the Labor Board on july 20
~ leaders generally place
httlr significance on the action of the
men on this line because of the com
ls'atlVely small mum Der of men affect
eu me road being only thirty-eign
The labor leaders on the New York
.e' T. iec-Aed to join the railroad
'.r he question to the Labor
oOard at Chlcago, whereupon the New
-" DeNtAai heads announced thev
immediately would formulate their
case for presentation to the board and
request It's authorization for the pro
Posed reduction. The matter probably
"li ee before the board. it was said
IN about ten days.
ne labor representatives declined TO
loin the railroad in petitioning the
reoof boare Tor mn adjustment Of the
49, the ground, they assert. that
tney have no grievance at present
81 tae ad U 5 40 to the rail
roads, they hold to place their request
s'f wage revision before the board
llS'' follow wilg which the workers viii
cater thelr reply. Under the trans
foftation act of 1920, it is provided
nay ere the - rites are unable t.
te"ch an agreement respecting wage ad-
s-s'neH's at conferences the matter
ray Be retsrfed jointly or separately
10 'he Labor Bo9id.
Danger of Strike Minimized
lhere Is little danger of any cessa-
W." Oh work as result of the con-
SoVefsy' the railroad heads making it
'.sa' mat no reductions can be made
"ecelVe without reference to and ad-
y,'aicaton first by the Labor Board.
.t"'''9ny SPAR, genera. chairman in
ms dlstrlct of the United Brotherho ,d
= '''"lh'enance of Way Employees and
i,a,foad Shop Laborers. also dispelled
%SScr'on that the workers would abide
any decision of the Federal body.
o'ner important developments in the
.a'ua'ioh were the announcements of
TWO more railroads the PENNSYLVANIA
eHd the Delaware, Lackawanna & West
lines. "'' vi '"ose
me Delaware, Lackawanna & West
81 -" reductions provide for a looping off
VI wages ranging from z to 1872 cents
am nour for all unskilled labor on the
ssssem' s' effective April 16 Upon re-
lpeip' OF the proposition from f. NJ.
".ne' vlce-president and general man
sser, the labor leaders declared that
tue cut certainly would be rejected A
.y,n'ai reply, however. will be made bv
t "e workers at conference scheduled
aSr March %. About 5000 men are
us me company filed statements with
as, sad representative of the work
nay Yesterday. (which in effect elimi-
RS aes me increase granted by the Labor
tbn .u iase july, with the exception of
sbe; ae sfackmen. and it proposes to reduce
m;r;." wages to 35 cents per hour
,"aa;n "snimum and 40 cents per honr
"'N'um. The railroad submitted
'Contnucd on next pase)