New-York tribune., 1921-10-17

sense, and even though to reduce them
means loss OF revenue to the car
rier.
"'The carriers can do this of their
own volition, where it would be i'm
proper for the Interstate Commerce
Commission to do so. The result would
be a temporary check in the rising
fortunes Of the carriers and that they
can Ill afford, but it would be a step
in the restoration of sound business
conditions, and the public should give
the carriers real appreciation Of their
act
Effect Held Beneficial
al the railroads will Immediately,
in good faith, adopt this suggestion of
General Atterbury the situation can
be cleared up, freight rates reduced to
shippers. the cost OF living reduced to
the consumers and q stimulating effect
exerted upon all business
I'VE would suggest that the wage cut
Of July l be translated al once into
. reduction. of freight rates. This
would be much more tangible and sat
factory 10 the public than to promise
that future wage reductions Will be
passed on to the people in the form
of reduced freight rates. The public
undoubtedly expected this result when
the July wage reduction was made, and
its consumm1tion now, though some
what delayed, would be highly crafty
ing. That direct benefits would prompt
~ follow and that the psychological
effect would be instantly beneficial cam
not be doubted.
''Such reduction in the cost of living
IS nlght result from this and other
causes would inure to the benefit of the
railway employees and would consti-
tute one of the statutory grounds for
q further reduction in wages. At the
same time it would have a tendency to
reduce the cost OF material supplies to
the carriers, and it would not then be
necessary for the carriers to rely solely
upon wage cuts for reduction OF their
operating expenses.
Farmer Alone Debated
"Deffation should be general. and.
as far as possible, uniform. Up to this
time the farmer is the only man that
has Debated and he came to tne earth
with tnud. This was because he did
not possess the parachute of organza
tion to break h fallx
should be avoided if possible. Wages
and freight rates should come to a just
and reasonable level uniformly or by
Alternating stages.
"Of course, nothing in these obser
vatlons should be construed to indcas~
what the action of the Labor Board
Will be on any wage dispute that may
be brought before it. Such disputes
will coatinue ID be ad usted by the
submitted and the requirements OF the
transportation act. " hen reductions
ere lustl4a1l lie tcey Will be given.
ut must he understood that there is
10 intention TO indicate, in any sense
The duty OF the Interstate Commerce
Comm sion in the premises.
in this connection, Ii may be informn-
tive to The public to know what FACTORS
the nsportation act requires the
l.a0or BOafu to consider in tx -ng wages
Xhey are as follows:
IL Tne scale Of wages paid for
similar kinds OF work in other indus
tIies; % TIE relation between wages
and the cost ct living; CD the hazards
OF the employment; (A) the training
and skill repaired; 81 the degree OF
responsibility; (6) the character and
regularity OF employment; CD lnequali-
ties ot increases IN wages or OF treat
4tA~4te3 b++N 4N-rlt Vi HANNlOuo WdSE VI
ders or adjustments. Other relevant
ciIcGm- tances are also to be consid
cred.
Unusual Conditions Met
TT is obvious that the first two
factors above named are subject to
tree ~enU caauge. and that during
postwar period of readJustment the
changes may be rapid and radical,
necessit0ting Il more frequent revision
Of wage schedules than would ordi-
narily be necessary.
"Condensing the foregoing sugges-
tiens int, 4eAnite propositions, tuey
stand as follows:
Il. Let tne carriers Immediately give
= genera rate reduction measured by
the July wage reduction and the bene
fits derived from the new rules, and
devised Calcr the supervision OF the
Interstate Ncmmerce Commi IS ion, to
afford the greatest degree of relief to
the puhlc.
SO. Let the request for further wage
reductions be Withdrawn until the rate
reductions have been completed.
"3 At such time as the carriers
deem advisable let them present TO the
Railroad Labor Beard their petition for
further reduction in wages, based on
conditions then existing.
=. Pend ng the working out of the
rate reduction and the action of the
Labor Board on such petition for fur
tner wage reduction as the carriers
may subsequently submit let the strike
order be withdrawn.
Merits of Plan Emphasized
"This method of procedure has the
merit of atfording cooling time to
everybody concerned, and requires OF
the carriers onl one thing-namely
hat they give 70 the public in reduced
freight rates the benefit of the July
wage cut, just as they are proposing
TO do in case OF further wage reduc-
tions. It also involves the withdrawal
or suspension Of the strike order upon
the part o. the employees
The course suggested does not in
Noive any secrsA~4 ". pt4ue VI p4estlge
either 70 the carriers or to The en-
pioyees;
In view Of the enormous destruction
cf property values, the deadly blow tC
slowly revivlng business and the ap
pa ing human prlVaticH, suffering ant
death that VIII follow in the wake O
6 tie-up of the country's transporta
ton system, the people should bring tC
bear upon bo,n parties the pressure G.
an impartial public sentiment"
Harding 20 Await Results
Tho Impression given al the Whit
House to-day was tnat having tuYne,
tAe alter over 10 the agencies estab
llshed By law to handle it, Presidcn
Handing had taken no further in!tia