Evening star., 1921-03-11

that it would propose a 20 per cent
reduction for every one employed by
the road from the president down.
The Great Western is the first of
the western roads to announce a pro-
posed wage reduction for all its en-
ployes.
c.. II. & q. Farley Adjourns.
The Chicago. Burlington and quincy
railroad yesterday held conference
with representatives OF It's 1e.0oo un-
skilled employees with the view of
bringing about wage reductions. Hale
Holden. president, announced today
The conference adjourned until March
% to allow the roads proposition to
be placed directly before the en-
ployes themselves,
I'VE are carefully following the pro-
visions of the transportation act and
in case we do not reach an agreement
with our employees we viii go before
the railroad labor board in conform
ance with that action Mr.. Holden
said.
Concerning the possibility of reduc-
ing the pay of skilled workers. l.. b.
Allen. general manager of the road.
said that matter was in allegiance.
IF the railroad labor board elmi-
mates some of the costly features of
present rules there probably will be
less reason to take up wage reduc-
tions with the skilled men," he said
we are awaiting the outcome OF the
present hearing"
The road proposed reductions of ap-
proximately S12 cents an hour, vary
ing in certain districts. Mr.. Holden
said. This would make the pay of
unskilled men approximately 40 cents
an hour. the present rate being on an
average of 4S12 cents an hour, he said
Boston and Maine's Order.
BOSTON, March 1.-THE Boston and
Maine railroad issued notice today of a
proposal to reduce wages to certain
classes of employees, including clerks,
maintenance of way men, machinisrs,
carpenters, etc, on April 16. 1t was
announced that conferences would be
arranged with representatives of the
employees to discuss the situation.
Announce Reductions.
Pay cut proposals affecting thousands
of men were officially announced yester-
day by practically every western rail-
way with headquarters in Chicago,
among them being the Santa Fe,
Chicago. Milwaukee and ST. Paul,
Chicago and Great Western, Chicago,
Rock Island and Pacific and the
Chicago and Northwestern.
The roads will first hold meetings
with their employees in an effort to
reach some agreement regarding IA
reduction in wages. If the roads and
workers were unable to reach agree
ments, the disputes, it was announced,
would be allowed to go before the
United States railroad labor board
Wages must come down." said
A. G. Wells, vice president of the
Santa Fe system. Everybody knows
that. We will in few days as
start in a general readjustment, ask
representatives of maintenance of
way and shop workers. especially the
unskilled workers, to come to Chicago
and agree to more seemly wage
scale
Z The Chicago. Rock Island and
Pacific and the Chicago and North
western likewise notified it's main
tenance of way employees to meet here
March is and 21. respectively. for
discussion of wage readjustments.
p. & r. Calls Farley.
PHILADELPHIA. March 11.-A con-
ference with representatives of un-
the necessity for making reductions
in the existing rates of pay" has
been called by F. NJ. Flack. general
manager of the Philadelphia and
Reading Railway Company.
Twenty-Five classifications of un-
skilled labor are affected by the pro-
posed cut. according to circulars out
lining it's purpose.
Officials of the company would not
say whether any steps are to be taken
remainder of the railroads $4,000 en-
ployes.
n. ", \. H. and II. Acts.
BOSTON. March 1.-THE New York.
New Haven and Hartford railroad ha =
announced a conference of additional
classes of employees to discuss a down.
ward revision of their rates of pay,
effective April IS. Employees affected
include supervisory forces, mainte-
nance of way, shops, Offices station
forces and dining car and restaurant
employees. The date of the confer
ence will be set later
Cuts by n. Y. Central.
NEW YORK. March 1l.-The New
York Central has abolished the office
of general superintendent, and Off
cials holding this. position have been
denoted to the grade of superintend-
ent, railway officials announced here
At the time of this action there were
six general superintendents, two in
New York and one each in Albany
Buffalo, Cleveland and Chicago.
This step was a movement for
general demotion of railway officials
of virtually all grades. it was stated
Although definite plans have not been
formulated Concerning the effect this
demotion would have upon the newly
created superintendeuts, officials
stated that the duties usually devolv-
ing upon other officials. who also have
been lowered, will be consolidated
with those of the superintendents.
Most of the former general superin-
tendents will be transferred from the
cities where they are now stationed.