The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-17
PEACE BETWEEN ROADS AND MEN
 IS NOW IN SIGHT
Rail Labor Boards Decision Opens Way Wide to Settle ment of the Entire Rail-
 road Problem
By HARDEN CoLrAx


 Copyright, 1921 by The AgeHeraid) | Chicago, April 16.-(Special. )- Peace between the railroads and their men appears definitely in sight. With it will come an immediate pickup in business generally-not boom, but noticeable improvement-rea reasonable wage reductions, an increase in traffic and, eventually, a reduction in freight and passenger rates. ' s Such is the reaction of railroad and industrial leaders to the decision. handed down. by the railroad labor board. That decision opens the way wide to settlement of the entire rail- road problem It will be followed within a week by decision on the main point at issue, the roads pro- posals to cut wages.
 Twentysix carriers will ask the board next Monday to sanction wage reductions to various classes of em- ployes. mainly unskilled labor The carriers will put in their case com plete, within eight hours. Eight hours
 
 more will be devoted to the employees case. Thus within the space of two working days. facts, arguments and conclusions of both sides to the con- troversy will be left with the board for decision.
 QUICK ACTION CERTAIN
 There is not a vestige of doubt that rA xa,ty1 .I< -N. Imperative need@of quick action has been brought emphatically not only to the attention of the board itself, but to the White House. President Hard Ing has heard both sides and is quoted as having urged all becoming speed in reaching a verdict
 Railroad executives await the yer dict with calm confidence. They firmly beheve that wage reductions will be sanctioned. Labor leaders. while claim Ing victory in many points of the boards decision abrogating national agreements. are not enthusiastic over the outlook regarding wages. one seems to sense in the very atmosphere | that the cuts will be allowed
 Cases coming before the board next | Monday will not dispose, by any means, of the entire question of rail- | road wage reductions but they will | establish a precedent by which the | board undoubtedly will. be guided in ne cases yet to come? Only small l percentage of the carriers win be rem < 'esented at the hearings which begin donday- Many other lines which have E proposed wage cuts and still others winch have them under consideration Ire looking to the boards decision as m indication of what they may ex- 'ect in relief from their present un- enable position. sl'f PLANNED CONFERENCE
 It Is reported here that prior to the 'oards decision on national agree nents, President Harding had in mind aiiing conference between rail vay executives and the unions rep ssentatives to reach. if possible by a hort cut. some sorts of working vn erstanding as to wages He has been rged twice by one labor leader to do o. put the immediate need for such a onlerence seems to be passing. If is ot regarded now as probable. at ina anne time, itshas not been elimina&ed ucn a conference yet may be held if nere develops appreciable delay in the roceedings here M The abrogation of the national areee- lents, according to calculations of the aiiroads, will result in saving of fron, 'ueeOo'o0o to $50, ,0O0:0o0 a year through which the roads claim thev I'll, De able to make effective in shop peratlon A fifteen per cent reduction wages generaily-and that is about ,e average proposed thus far-wouid re- lt Tn a further saving of not less than 5VO0oOOo year. Both estimates are ased on thespresent volume of traffic hich isi at the lowest figure recorded l years. There would thns,abe made vailable saving. of s65o. 900 to s7Oo, : cWo annually to the roads on present As the roads are now just about reaking even, that sum would be gailable for additional equipment. much seded repairs to rolling stock and right way. and for dividends With addi-.l onal traffic. which is bound to come ith the general revival of business. Ic sum would be made attractive 10 pital for investment.
 And when, that day comes, real pros 'rity will Save arrived. It will not me before then.