The New York herald., 1921-12-01
RAIL RULES TOSAVE
$4,000 OOl A YEAR
Labor Board ClassifieS
Workers for Economy
and Efficiency.
OPEN SHOP DECLARED
But Existing Unions VIII
Have Their Rights and
Speak for Majority.
PUBLIC TO BE RESPECTED
Many Of Old Working Agree
ments VIII Be Preserved
in Full Effect.
PUBLIC TO BE RESPECTED

CHICAGO, Nov. 80 CAssociated Press).
Economies IN operation and in
creased efficiency estimated to reach
s5o,000.000 year and recognition OF
the "open shop on all American rail-
roads were forecast tonight In the
PRONUNCIATION of revised working rules
governing railroad shop employees by
the United States Railroad Labor
Board.
morrow. December I. and take juris-
diction over approximately 400 600 men
Immediately, although a still larger
number will be affected when normal
traffic conditions are restored.
Far reaching changes in the rules.
which supplant the national agreement
made during Federal control. were de-
signed to afford basis for permanent
stability In the railroad shops OF the
country. and were declared by mem
bers OF the labor board to be the most
important work yet done by the board
and OF much greater significance than
any decision in the past, even inciud-
fng wage scale adjustments.
large Economics Likely.
Large economies are expected TO re-
eult from revision Of the classification
rules, which were made more elastic and
hereafter will permit members OF GER
tain crafts TO do minor jobs previously
done by members OF other crafts. Statis-
ticians attached TO the Labor Board esti-
mated that economies In operation, in
creased efficiency and larger output
would approximate s50.000.0o0 year.
"The principle OF the open shop es-
fablished by the new rules" state
ment by board members said will, IN
fact be more theoretical than practical
at the present time. since @ large major
ity Of the railroad shops are unionized
and the existing unions are recognized
by the board and by the Transportation
act rs representative Of the majority.
Most of the older working rules.
sanctioned by the experience OF years,
are preserved in full effect. Many OF
the more rigid rules. however. were con-
siderably relaxed in favor OF the roads,
although the recognized rights of the
men are fully protected and the princi-
pie of collective bargaining and union
recognition Is retained rs contemplated
by the Transportation act"
The rules controversy dates TO May /.
1920 when the railroads emerged from
Government control Strenuous ob5ec-
tfons to the national agreement were
made In hearing, which began January
10. 1921. After several months of testi-
,nony the rules were referred back 70
The individual roads with instructions
20 negotiate such new rules as they
could with their employees to replace
the Federal Government rules.
Numerous Jules were thus agreed on
on individus. roads. but on no road was
A. posslble 70 draft an entire new set
The rules disagreed on were then sent
back to the Labor Board. and the rules
promulgated to-day will replace any
euch rules not agreed on by the roads
and their employees In any case where
y rule has been agreed on by the car
r-ier and its employees, that rule governs.
even though the Labor Board rule may
be entirely different
Work Limits Broadened.
The majority Of the changes effected
by the new rules is In the classification
OF the work to be performed by the
various crafts. Almost without excep-
tlon these classihcations are made more
elastic. Under previous agreements
with the shop crafts. including the ma
tionai agreement. II has been the Gus
torn TO define in detail the various types
OF work belonging to each craft.
The rules broaden the scope OF each
crafts work The machinist working on
running repairs may connect or discon-
meet any wiring, coupling or pipe con-
nectlons necessary to repair machinery
or equipment This work was previously
assigned to electricians and sheet metal
workers only.
nA QVa
not prohibited from making such re-
pairs 20 equipment on the lines OF the
road as they are qualified 20 perform
The now rules thus allow train opera
tives 20 perform repairs work even
though Il is ordinarily considered shop
mechanics work.
Boilernnakers' helpers win get the JOB
OF removing and replacing CRATES. Under
the national agreement all CRATE rigging
work was assigned TO Journeymen boiler
makers.
The classification OF the WORK or the
sheet metal workers. electrical workers
and carmen has been changed 20 allow
some o. the work previously performed
by therl exclusively to be done by their
helpers and by mechanics In other crafts
where The needs OF the service require f.
Under the national agreement car
men wero exclusively assigned TO wreck
fng crews. Under tho new rules wreck
ing crews. exclusive OF engineers, will
be composed OF carmen. where sufficient
mon are available. but when needed men
OF any class may be taken as additional
members OF wrecklng crews.
Another important change affecting
car men ~ that which allows common
Iaborers 70 dismantle wooden freight
cars hereafter. Under the national
agreement only qualified carpenters were
PHILADELPHIA