New-York tribune., 1921-03-23
Engineers in
Harbor Fight
Rail Pay Cut
Association Resolves Not to
Accept Slash; Lines Re-
port Many i'm Marine
Branch Signing New Scale
Kea Counsels Employees
Pa. r. r. Head Promises
Fair Play; Rate Confer
esace ON i'm Connecticut

Thsa railroad situation in tbe ras+
was fmarked by three developments yes
terdtay.
governor Lake of Connecticut last
nignt called public hearing for Mon
oayp afternoon at the CAPITOL in Hart
ford on the proposed 10 per cent in
crease in freight and passenger rates
on the railroads of New England. His
announcement was addressed to "the
shippers of Connecticut and other in
fterested parties"
Members of the Marine Enp;naers,
Beneficial Association meeting at their
headquarters, at "a Park Place. last
night unanimously resolved to reject
all proposals for wage reductions on
the floating equipment of the railroads
entering the harbor. AS the organza-
ton represents 5000 engineers work
Ing on all the towing and lighterage
craft in the harbor, this, in the opin-
ion of many, would seem to dispose of
the conflicting claims as to whether
the marine workers we're accepting
wage cuts or not.
+. K. r. Asks for Cooperation
Samuel Rea, president of the Penn
sylvania Railroad, issued personal
appeal to the officers and employees of
the line "for cooperation in reducing
the cost of rendering service to the
public and for open-mindedness tow
ard the companys policy respecting sal
aries and wages"
"We have no intention or desire to
reduce wages to unfair levels" said
Mr.. Rea. There is no conspiracy to
disrupt your national organizations
We are simply face to face with condi-
tions that force the steps we are
taking"
More than 10000 employees of the
line, Mr.. Rea' declared, already have
been discharged because of the neces-
sary retrenchment policy.
AS a result of the numerous confer
ences that are being held between the
managers of the lines and their marine
employees, it was asserted by several
OF the roads that a large proportion
of the men are accepting the proposed
in their wages. Henry L. Joyce, head
of the marine depa rtment of the
Central Railroad of New Jersey
and chairman of the committee Of
the General Managers Association,
announced that all the marine workers
employed on the floating equipment of
the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western
Railroad had agreed to a reduction in
their pay.
1t was declared that large num-
Der Of workers on the boats of the
Lehigh Valley, with the exception of
the lighter captains and the ferrymen
acquiesced in wage cuts. The roads
are meeting the men i'll groups and as
individuals and not through labor
leaders, and it was said that many had
signed agreements to accept the lower
wage. The last of these conferences
is expected to be reached within a
few days, said Mr.. Joyce. The New
York Central reports that more than
200 of its 500 marine employees have
that the men are generally willing to
accept the reductions.
Union Heads Deny Acceptance
In reply the union leaders issued
fiat denial. Thomas B. Healey, head of
the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Asso-
ciation, earlier in the afternoon said
he was sure no members of his organi-
cation who are employed on the boats
of the railroads had agreed to lower
wages.
The question came up at the regular
meeting of the engineers in their head
quarters last night. A resolution was
adopted to the effect that no engineers
working on railroad equipment in the
harbor would agree to any reduction
in pay or alteration in working condi-
tions. The railroads have been em-
phatic in disavowing any intention of
interfering with the basic eight-hour
day.
Governor Lakes call for conference
reads:
1.-THE Governors of all the New Emo