Evening journal., 1921-03-22
A CRITICAL SITUATION.

ssnNCE more the nation is confronted by critical
" transportation situatlon-a situation that de-
mands the thoughtful attention OF all the people, ad-
monishes the Republican puplicity Association, through
It's president Hon. Jonathan Bourne Jr Directy there
Is controversy between railroad companies and their
employees over the question OF wages. Indirectly the
issue affects all the people OF the country for every seller
or buyer OF goods and every traveller affected by the
costs OF railroad operation The patrons OF the railroads
pay the wages"
The association adds that every one knows, there
was an increase in railroad in 1916 by governmental
order after the railroad broherhoods had threatened to
strike II their demands were not met by certain day
and hour In to the urgent recommendation Of
President Wilson, the Adamson Act was passed by a
Democratic Congress and Mr. Wilson signed it, using four
different pens which presented to the heads Of the
four broherhoods mementoes OF their victory over the
government
Later under government operation OF the roads, wages
were Increased from time to time and the scale Of COM
pensaton remained at the government figure when the
roads turned back to private management There
have been adjustments In scales in most large en-
poying but in railroad employment for the
that the law provides for certain conferences
peas, hearings and formal decisions by board.
The railroads propose reduction of salaries and wages
from top to bottom. with equitable adjustments which
make allowance for differences rates OF increase under
governmental orders. In support OF their proposal, the
railroad managers cite the fact that there have been ad
jusments other lines OF employment and that govern
ment statistics show that large proportion Of the rail-
road mileage OF the country is operating at loss.
II hits were question between the railroad and
the railroad employees alone the public could AFFORD to sit
quesccnt and the outcome But the public is the
party to the controversy most vitality affected and there
FORE most extensively interested.
Needless to remark, the public is and always has been
willing to pay fair and equitable wage and TO have
Tie employees work under proper conditions But the
other hand the public is entitled TO have and
working conditions adjusted out OF harmony with
wages and conditions In other lines OF industry and
tcrprise.
Whether the compensatiorE OF railroad employees II
continued wartime basis out OF proportion to
wages in industries that have gone through readiust
ment. is a question to be discussed and in the dis
cusslon public opinion a large II not controlling
factor.
The railway wage Increases began with an arbitrary
raise granted pursuance Of act OF Congress- and
not through so-calleG collective bargaining" The
chosen representatives OF the public authorized the
bitrary without the consent OF the employers.
The employees hardly Justify themselves therefore, in
complaining at an arbitrary dect,a in coriespc ling
degree without their consent
The situation presented is critical one-ono that will
not wait indefinitely for remedies Many OF the railroads
are well on the way to receershlps not bankruptcy.
The suggestion Of the leaders OF the broiherhoods
that any change wage scales only after
tended hearngs-meaning long delays that will not
find much support outside OF the Offices the brother
hoods The public Is entitled to continuous ransporta-
ton services at a scale Of compensation a par with
that realized by other enterprises. and, whatever the
procedure, the public VIII expect reasonably rapid action