Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-10-27

railroads. The great transportation
systems, n network OF over $4,000
miles of track, have been subjected
TO every form of regulation. restriction
end restraint that many-minded
national government could devise.
Now labor, speaking through the rail-
road unions comes TO the front with
n final edict that heans surrender OF
the legitimate rights OF the railroads
and the domination of railroad control
taken from the Federal government
and bestowed upon the employees.
This summarizes the situation. IL
makes a clean, clear and concise issue
for the publishers and editors of the
United States. There is no time for
dalliance with soft words and empty
phrases. The announcement OF the
railroad brotherhoods that they regard
themselves as above the law is suf-
ncient notice that all who believe in
regularly constituted government
should be aligned in defense OF the
public right.
Some of the outstanding facts are
given here so that everyons who reads
may have the means of forming an
Intelligent opinion on all phases of the
question.
First-There are ample avenues
open for peaceful settlement or the
differences between the railroad en-
ployees and the executives. The
| United States Railroad Labor Board
lis not an idle government founding.
The Interstate Commerce Commission
lis not an impotent bureau.
| The railroads are seeking a feasible
ineans OF reducing freight rates that
will be of direct benefit to the public
and which will not prove financially
disastrous TO the roads. To accomplish
this they are to make immediate APP
plication to the United States Railroad
Labor Board for power to reduce the
wages OF train service employees, APP
lproximately ten per cent on the Labor
Boards order OF July 20. 1920, and for
| a reduction in wages of all other
classes OF railroad labor TO the going
rate" for such labor in the several
territories where the carriers operate.
Concurrently with such reduction In
wages the benefit OF the reduction
thus obtained shall, with the concur
renee OF the Interstate Commerce
Commission. be passed on to the pub
lie in the reduction OF existing freight
rates.
Second--Thls entire railroad situa-
lion is ono that Affects the daily life
OF everyone OF the one hundred and
eight million people in the United
S.a.a. IL q ros /. raotsar for laiSrraix
settlement between the employees and
executives. The railroads are common
csrriers-they enjoy the right 10
operate from state TO state and have
many privileges; but they are sub
ject 10 rigid supervision and control.
In accepting franchise. the investors
In railroads appreciate that they must
conform 10 the laws Of the land.
There is no reason why men who.
OF their own free will. decide TO 10
into the railroad business as a means
Of earning a living. should not be
made 10 respect the laws of the land.
The railroad executives and security
holders are showing due respect to the
law. The railroad brotherhoods must
! be made 20 do likewise.
!, AS q self-constituted class, the e..
oso coo railroad employees are receiv.
ing the highest average pay OF ans
men in the world. The average pay
! is $40 a week. The average pay oi
skilled mechanics and technical work.
: ers--a body OF 1000. 900. is less thar
: 80 a week. The average pay Of un.
skilled and non-technicai workers, 4
5 body Of 5000. 900. men and women. Il
= iess than sac a week. The sverag.
! wage Of the s.eeo 900 men who worl
. on farms Of the country 10 produc,
!, food, is less than 5000 week viii
board. and work day OF ~ to i
aours.
IL is from the inner circle Of rail
: road employees. the Big Five" tina
: the strike order umanates. These ME
q now receive wages far above the ~
u a week average OF the z.0so. 600 fots
% workers.
= The average annual compensate
" OF the train service employees for ~.
3 was.