The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-10-15
Rail ROADS SEEK ANOTHER GUT
IN WAGES; MEANS REDUCTION
IN PREVAILING FREIGHT RATE!
Roads Refuse Request That
Recent Wage Cut Be Not
Put into Effect Immediately
Union Heads Unable to
Predict What Will Happen.

Chicago. Oct. l4.-Representative OF
tho nations railroads today. after an
nouncinE that they cannot reduce
freight rates at present without going
into bankruptcy, announced they would
Immediately seek a further reduction In
employees wages from tho United States
railroad labor board and went into a
futile conference with union leaders in
an effort 10 reach an arnicab)e settle
ment Of wage difficulties which At times
have threatened TO tie up tho transpor-
tation systems Of the country.
At the conference union leaders asked
reconsideration OF their request Of last
July that a loh percent wage reduction
granted BY this labor board be not nut
into effect Immediately. that no further
reductions he sought d. present AMI tha
no change be made in the overtime pay
rate.
This request was refused. and the rail
heads presented their statement. an
nouncing the proposal TO seek new re-
auctions and not TO reduce rates until
further reductions wee granted.
Hot Making Predictions.
Ths labor leaders left the Conference
Immediately and few OF them would dis
cues its proceedings or predict the re-
suits.
Il am No prophet" said Warren S.
Stone. president OF the brotherhood Of
Locomotive Engineers. What Will hap
pen la moro than I can say"
w. G. Lee. president o: the Brother
hood Of Railroad Trainnen. refused to
discuss the situation after the meeting.
but previous 10 It had said that "the
roads must be crazy 10 seek an new re-
duction when the men have jrst author
lied a strike against An old wage cut"
Union leaders freely admitted. low
ever, that there had been little harmony
between the committees in the confer
ence.
The executives had previously an
nounced that the proposal to pass future
waEe reductions on 10 tho public by
applying to th- interstate commerce
commission for a reduction in freight
and passenger rates. had been accepted.
and that all future wage reductions
would he met by corresponding rate
reduction.
May End Disputs-
The conference was begun at the sug-
gestion Of the union leaders. their IN
vItatIcn for a meeting being accepted by
the rail heads following tho announce
ment concerning freight rates.
The union leaders were backward
about discussion the meeting. although
some indicated that its purpose might
lie almost nullif~d by the announce
ment that further wage reduction
would be sought.
W. G. Lee. president OF the Brother.
hood Of Railroad Trainmen. said that.
since the union men already had auth
orizcd their leaders 70 cali strike.
rn:her than accept the recent l. per
cent wage cut. | do not see how the
roads cen haNe the nerve 20 suggest
another cut"
Ths ConfsrssA
Tho labor committee was composed O.
Mr. Lee. Warren &. stone. president of
the brotherhood q: Locomotive" Engin-
GERS: l.. f. Sheppard. president Of the
Order Of Railway Conductors: ". s.
Carter president OF the brotherhood Of
Locomotive Firemcn and EnGiHemen
and r. &. Cashcn. president OF tho
Switchmen'> Union OF America.
Tho railroad executive committee
WAS as follows: e Il. Markham. presi-
den, ct the Illinois Central: W. VI. Al
ierhury vice president Of the Pennsyl-
yanIa: !. T. German. president OF the
t'hica go. Rock Island and Pnciilc: Carl
s. Gray. president Of the Union Pacific.
and Ralph BuGd. president OF the Great
Northern.
The executives. Il was announced.