The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16
BOARD HEARS PLEA
I. OF A, B. & A. FOR
WAGE REDUCTIONS
Argument Hinges on Whether
Board Has Jurisdiction Over
Financial Status of
Railway
By Associated Press

chicago FEBRUARY lo.-Ihe United
States railroad labor board today heard
arguments on the Atlanta Birmingham
and Atlantic railroads plea for permis-
sion to reduce wages. The ease pro-
duced wider variety of evidence and
is said by railroad men to be of greater
Importance than any other single line
dispute yet brought before the board.
The argument hinged on whether. the
board had jurisdiction over the road $
financial status, which furnished the
railroads principal reason for wanting
to reduce wages. 1t declared that re-
-duction OF wages was made imperative
because the road faced a monthly de-
ficit of 100000.
Summed UP by Col. B. L. Bugg, presi-
dent of the road, the roads petition
was:
Is the board going to disregard con-
ditions of traffic? Is the board to fix
rates regardless OF the railroads. earn
ing power?t If the board can fix wages
without regard to other conditions than
the claims of the employees. then it is
just as well that we have no represen-
tation here"
For the employees, w. s. Carter. pres
ident of the Brotherhood Of LOCOMOTIVES
Firemen and Enginemen, stated his
case thus 1T has never before been
suggested that wages be made to de-
pend on the financial condition of a
road We are willing to make a test
case before the courts on the constitu-
tionalty of the transportation act. If
the contention of the Atlanta Birming-
ham and Atlantic stands, then, on the
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western,
which is able to pay twice as much. we
VIII come in tomorrow with request
for an increase in wages
MANY POINTS ANSWERED
Representatives of the Atlanta, Bir-
mingham and Atlantic, were on the
stand most OF the day. Colonel Bugg
answered many points OF the employees
argument in previous testimony and
added there was no use to ask the in
terstate commerce commission for a
larger share of rates on hauis extend
ing beyond the Atlanta Birmingham
and Atlantic lines. He said he thought
the road was receiving its fair division.
Before any conferences were called
with employees. Colonel Bugg said, Off
GERS Of the road went over all the diff
ficulties and followed every thread
which promised relief before asking for
wage reduction"
Morris Brandon. counsel for the road
declared If the board disregarded in
ability to pay for one road it could do
50 for all roads, and the result would
be chaos. He said the wages granted
by decision No. Of the labor board last
July were the highest ever paid the
men. and were granted under extraordi-
nary conditions. when the cost of liv-
ing was the highest we have ever
known
Railroad testimony preciptated another
protest from the employees side. They
contended that the original dispute arose.
on the roads proposition that it was
financially unable to pay the wages now
in effect. Later testimony as to lower
narrative rates Of labor in other indus
e. p. Curtis of the employees committee.
Attorney Brandon replied for the road
that it was case of paying lower wages
or scrapping the road. He cited the Sec
ton OF the transportation act which al
lowed the board to assume Jurisdiction
when controversies between the carrier
and employees we're likely to interrupt
commerce. ~
Wouldn't scrapping the road interrupt
commerce :? Mr.. Brandon demanded.
Ard IL athe employees strike. wouldn't
that interrupt commerce -
He then brought out that strike ballot
had been sent out on January Is, but
that the ballot had not vet been counted,
and the result was not known.
4 The closotg arguments OF the after
Eoon completed the case which will be
considered bv the board in executive ses-
sion. No Indication was given of when
= decieion viii be rendered.