New-York tribune., 1921-03-18
N. Y. C. Sends
W age Cut Plea
10 Labor Board
Proposes Cut on April 1,
While Men Oppose Any
Reduction Until After the
Hearing and Decision
Roads Case To Be Test
New Haven to File Argu-
ments To-day; President
4 Denies Receivership Plan

Inc petitions of two railroads. an
peaiing for authorization to put into
effect on April proposed wage reduc-
mons Tor several thousand unskilled
ana semi-skilled workers on their lines.
are expected to be in the hands Of the
United States Railroad Labor Board at
Chicago to-day.
The New York Central Railroad
which has been the pioneer in the mat,
Ter OF the retrenchment policies now
'pelng pursued by all of the roads,
rushed its document in last night. It
VIII undoubtedly be the first case to
come before the tribunal, and it's deci-
sion Will be significant as foreshadow-
ing what the officials and laborers on
the other lines may expect.
The president of the New York. New
haven and Hartford will append his
signature. to similar appeal early to-
day and it was intimated that the tele-
gram may be resorted to in order to
nave the matter before the board as
soon as possible.
Immediate Cut Asked
The New York Central petition. r.
was said, while brief, has been pre-
pared with extreme care, to make It as
iorclole document as possible. Be-
cause OF the long time that may elapse
pe1ore q decision is rendered it is
known that the railroad will request
with much emphasis that it be permit
ted to put the wage cuts in effect at
once pending final decision, agreeing
TO reimburse the men if the decision is
adverse.
The railroad, in support of it's re-
quest for lower wage rate, it was
lhtlmated, will plead a general slack
ness OF business and falling off in
the passenger income alone of about
20 per cent. 1t will contend that the
cost of living has fallen considerably
and that the rates of pay in other in
dustries for service requiring equal
skill and ability are lower than those
now obtaining on the railroads.
Due consideration in the proposed re-
adjustment, it will say, has also been
given to hazards of employment, re-
sponsibilities attached to the services
rendered, the training and /siIl neces-
sary to the proper performance of duty.
the regularity of employment and the
inequalities of increases in rates or of
condltlons the result of previous wage
orders or adjustments.
Men Ask Delay in Change
The workers will insist that the
present schedules be maintained until
final decision is rendered by the Labor
Eoard, said Anthony J Spair, local dis
trict head for the Brotherhood of Main
tenance of Way men. All suggestions
of trouble, however, have been dis
PEELED, both sides having agreed to
abide by the Federal body's ruling.
j. e. Fairbanks, secretary Of the
general managers association of the
entering this port, issued
statement yesterday in which he said
Railroad expenses must be reduced.
The carriers have already taken drastic
steps to effect the strictest economies,
put the enormous pay roll obligations
have forced upon them crisis which
If not solved properly will vitally affect
the future welfare and prosperity of
the country. All employees should
evince, as has already been shown by
number of them, receptive mood and
desire to honestly cooperate in produc-
ing ing proper solution of the difficulty.
The war scale of wages must give way
to the normal rates of pay"
X. 5. Parsons, general manager, and