Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-02-02
CUYLER DENIES
UNIONS CHARGE! | |
AGAINST ROADS
Lines Willing to Adjust
Conditions individuals
ly, Ayers Executive@
Atterbury Violated the
transportation Act. Is
View of Laborers.

Chicago, Feb. Railroads Of the
country asked the railway labor hoard
to abrogate the national agreements 20
an ltimate reduction in rates without
an immediate reduction in wages might
| be brought about, Thomas Dewitt
! Guyler, chairman Of the Association OF
| Railway Executives, said Tuesday night
in telegram to President Wilson re-
! plying to one sent the chief executive
Monday night by representatives Of
seven labor unions.
made against the railroads By the Ia
borers in their telegram, declaring
that they were deliberate and gross
Misrepresentation and propaganda in-
tended to diseredit private man1gement
OF the railroads in the interests Of the
Plumb plan ead to defeat efforts being
made in good faith to abolish rules and
working conditions which were war
measures"
Explains Meeting OsaIal.
Mr.. Cuyler said the railroads had
refused conference with laborers or
leaders because such conference could
not adjust conditions for Al roads In al
parts Of the country The roads. how
ever, were willing individually to ad-
just conditions with their employees and
were in fact urging this upon the II.
Dor board
"The action requested BY Brig. Gen.
w. W. Atterbury of the PennsyIvanie
lines fabrogatfon of the national agree-
ments) is the only action which, with
government sanction. can free tho
hands of the railway executives and en-
able them by orderly procedure with
their own men to develop appropriate
rules and working conditions" The
telegram said:
Separate Rsles Urged.
'The only rules that stand the tests
of practical operation and do not in
voive endless controversy are rules
which are negotiated between each
management and its own men, and
the opportunity Of securing this il re-
quested by the railroads not only to en.
able the roads to achieve the earning
power contemplated in the trAnsporta-
ton act. but in the interests Of an ulti-
mate reduction in transportation rates
to the public
The roads request is in the interest
OF the men who work upon the rail-
roads. We recognise that a the
wages OF railroad employees were the
last to go up. they should also Be tha
ast to come down, and, II by restoring
the conditions necessary to efficient
and economical operation the railroads
,an postpone for reasonable period
ne reduction OF basic wages which will
Ultimately be required, they WI only
'e too glad to do SO in the interests
II the great body Of the employees.
Reduction Of Wares.
'The pressing financial necessities
y the railroads are such that, II de-
he'd the opportunity OF initial econ.
'my through proper rules and working
their only other recourse
must be in reduction Of basic wages.
The railway executives are pro-
eeding in this matter with the keenest
ense of obligation to the public. They
eel that they are trustees Of a treat
'ublic interest and that they are rep
esenting not only their own interest,
ut the interests Of the farmer, the
onsumer. labor and manufactures In
ther industries and the railway -em-
loyes. themselves. They have every
ustries and workers are making their
espectiye contributions to 1 decline
, the cost Of living. the great body OF
ailway employees will certainly NOT re-
use to make their similar contribu.
on"
e. F. Cradle, president Of the Unit.
d brotherhood Of Maintenance of
vay employees and railway shop labor
rs. Tuesday night sent q TELEGRAM to
resident Wilson protesting against
,e statement made before the labor
oard Monday BY General Atterbury,
aclaring. it was In violation Of the
act and did not con-
lin facts