The Washington herald., 1921-02-01
Brotherhoods Challenge
Atterbury's Demand
For Wage Cut.
DENY ROADS FACE
FINANCIAL CRISIS
Ask Action by Congress.
Charge Attempt to
Deceive Public.

CHICAGO, Jan. 3l.-Oficials OF
six railway labor unions called
upon President Wilson to have the
Interstate Commerce Commission
investigate charges made by rail-
road executives that the roads are
facing bankruptcy.
In the event that the charges are
found to be true they recommend
that the President lay the matter
before Congress for such legislation
as may be deemed necessary.
The brotherhoods sent their tele-
gram to the President after w. W.
Atterbury, chairman of the Labor
Commission of the Railroad Execu-
tiyes' Association, and vice presi-
dent of the Pennsylvania lines, ap-
peared before the United States
Railroad Labor Board and asked for
an immediate reduction in wages
and a change in working conditions.
Atterbury stated that unless this
action was taken that a panic would
be caused and several railroads
would be thrown into bankruptcy.
Atterbury Warns of Panic.
He charged that the railroads are
suffering a loss of $30O,00O,OOO
year through inefficient labor and
that the high rates had stified traf-
fic TO such an extent that wage
reduction of $50O,0OO,O00 is the only
thing that will avoid a panic.
Henry Hunt, a member of the
board suggested that the railroad
chiefs hold a conference with the
employees to determine some method
of relief before recommending a
cut in pay, but Ttterbury answered
that because of differences in views
between the two bodies such con-
ference would result in nothing.
The present situation is so acute
that we cannot afford 10 start any
protracted hearings" Atterbury
Said- "lf The board follows its
prckent procedure Of hearing testt-
mony from both sides, months will
elapse before it can render a de-
cislon. The urgent financial neces-
sity of the railroads will not permit
them to wait any such length of
time for relief"
Counter-move by BrotherhOods.
In the counter-move the brother
hoods in their telegram to President
Wilson said in part:
Mr.. Atterbury not only violated
all decent prOprieties by his ulti-
matum to the Labor Board. but dis
regarded the transportation laws
and flouted existing agencies such
as the Interstate Commerce Com
mission.
I'VE would not question the i'm
propriety of Mr.. Atterbury's con-
duct were we not apprehensive as
to the vital import of certain state
ments made by him. He is in close
touch with the financiers and bank
ers who are responsible for the
financial solvency of the railroads.
Ask That Congress Act.
We therefore request that you
Immediately take steps to have the
committee of railroad executives
present their evidence as to gem
eral railroad bankruptcy to the In
terstate Commerce Commission and,
after you have had an opportunity
to examine this evidence as to their
inability 10 operate the railroads,
that If you consider the situation
acute you refer the matter to Con.
gress for such legislation as may
be necessary.
We believe that Mr.. Atterbury's
statement as to what should be done
is insinCere and unwarranted. We
are convinced that he arbitrarily
acted in this spectacular way in or
der to deceive the public as to the
real cause of the financial plight
of the railways. We shall not con-
sent to reduction in our wage
rates or to a change in our work
ing rules until all the facts are
placed before the Railroad Labor
Board. Mr.. Atterbury desires to
disrupt and destroy the unions of
railway employees by taking advan-
tage Of the existing business de-
preston"