The Connecticut labor news., 1921-08-19
BROKEN PLEDGES IN BRITISH RAILROAD ACTS ARE CHARGED
 TO OPPOSITION OF MORGAN
American Banker Ob- jected to Joint Control Promise as Bad Ex- ample to Set Before Americans.

their private owners on August 2I next, under the decontrol act of Par liament, the workers will not have participation in management, as had been promised them by the govern ment. They. will, however, be se- cured in theft economic rights by the continuation of the national central wages board and the national agree ments established during government control.
 There is an interesting story in con nection with the final abandonment ot the principle of joint control that has received too little attention. It tells why the government first was forced to repudiate it's election pledge for government ownership of railways, and then surrender it's obligation to workers that they should have an equal share in management.
 That story also has direct bearing on the railroad problem in the United States, which parallels almost exactly the problem that the British govern ment has had to face.
 International Bankers Objected
 International banking interests headed by the American House ot Morgan bluntly told the government
  icies would be most embarrassing to owners of railroads in the United States. They made it clear that if Great Britain accepted government ownership or gave workers represen- tation in management 1t would ma terially strengthen the case of adVo- cates of public ownership and dem ocratic operation in the United States
 The House of Morgan, which is fiscal agent for the British govern ment, yields as much influence in shaping it's policies as it does in shap- ing the policies of the American gov ernment.
 When it made its wishes known the government took complete somer- sault on government ownership and then sought to save its face by ot- fering workers a plan for particlpa- ton that was so shallow and insin cere that it was rejected out of hand. It would have made the workers failure of the railroads without any power to determine their policies. The leaders saw through the scheme and immediately went after and secured the machinery through which they can take care of themselves while private managers are trying to meet the almost insuperable difficulties be- fore them. K
 Why Thomas Changed Position
 When General Secretary J. T. Thomas, of the National Railway mems Union, left for the United States he was confident that the gov ernment intended to deal honestly with the workers on the joint control question. When he returned the sit uation was completely changed for reasons that have been stated, and his recommendation that the makeshift proposal be rejected was sustained almost unanimously by his executive board
 Despite the tremendous influence of the bankers, the government made much better job in decontroling the railroads than did the American gov ernment In addition to retaining for the workers the national agreements, 1t has sanctioned an agreement for mulated by joint commission that will automatically adjust the question of wages.
 When the government took con- trol of the railroads the annual wage bill approximated $225, 1000, ,ooo per year. The basic wage rate now pre- vailing approximates $o45, 100000 per year.
 National Agreements Retained
 The national agreements, establish ing uniform working conditions and recognizing the right of collective bargaining ,are maintained in their en- tirety. The workers regard this as a great victory for their leaders.
 Many British railroads, under pre- IA. successfully, and the decontrol act provides that the 5I lines shall be re- grouped into six systems, the weaker roads being annexed to the stronger. Opportunity is given to the manage ments to consolidate by negotiation, but if they do not do so 1t is provided that the government shall initiate ac- tion through a commission that will compel them to obey the law
 The final settlement made by the government with the owners is in striking contrast with the position of the American government. A lump sum of $500, 1000 ooo is to be paid the carriers in full settlement for all claims arising from depreciation and under maintenance. Workers and the public generally regard this settle ment as satisfactory. It will make lIHpOSSlDIt me frequent ntdVy fdluS that are being made by American railroads on their government treas ury.
 British railroads went under gov ernment control in the early days of the war, nearly seven years ago, and the entire cost to the government above the rental is but fraction of the sum claimed by and paid to the American railroads for an operation of 26 months.
 Railroad Owners Complain
 Railway owners have been conduct ing vigorous propaganda against the continuance of the national central wages board and agreements, and in a recent statement on "Wages and Working Conditions" charges the government with having repudiated it's promise to hand back the rail ways to their owners to be managed on the basis of private enterprise, as it takes from them the power of deal ing with their own men or setting up their own machinery for settling dis putes."
 The argument of this pamphlet might have been lifted boldly from propaganda being used by the rail roads of the United States, particular ly that group controlled by the Nor gan bankers. All through this con troversy the owners have sought to break down the unions and force on