Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-03-31
ASK IMMEDIATE!
RELIEF I RON
PRESENT SCALE!
First Case to Come Be-
fore Body After Meet
With Workers.
Employees Waited Is
Months for Relief, De-
clares Jewell.

Chicago, March 30.-Provis-
ional reduction of the wages OF
unskilled labor on the New
York Central railroad, to be eff
fective April l, was asked Of
the railroad labor board We'd
nesday. Immediate relief from
the present rates was sought
pending a hearing on perman-
ent reduction later and at the
same time announcement was
made that reductions in every
class Of railroad employees was
being considered.
The unskilled labor dispute came be-
fore the board after conference with
the employees early this month and
failed to reach an agreement on any
wage reductions. The. case is the first
one to be brought by carrier and is
considered, in railroad circles, as the
first move on the part of the trunk
lines to cut their pay rolls.
Comparison Made.
The railroad appeared prepared to
submit extensive data on wages in 9th
er similar industries and on the cost Of
living. The board decided to confine
the present case to the question of i'm
mediate reductions.
Railroad Representatives then pre-
sented a mass of statistics showing
the rates paid for similar labor in 9TH
er industries, and the case was conclud-
ed, with a decision expected by the end
of the week.
During the testimony of ]. Aronson,
counsel for the New York Central. A.
o. Wharton, labor member OF the
board. inquired into the proposed re-
duction and inquired how the unskilled
labor class was selected for cut.
Other Employees Confer.
"Other classes of employees who re.
ceived increases under the wage award
last year are being called in to confer
regarding wage reductions" Mr.. Aron-
son said. I'VE are holding conferences
this week with clerical, mechanical and
signal employees and are considering re-
ductions for yard service men also
Up to this time unskilled labor wage
disputes are the only ones which have
been brought before the board.
Before continuing with the railroad
evidence. B. NJ. Jewell, speaking for
the employees, made brief answer to
the railroads request, declaring Il
would be without precedence for the
board to acquiesce in the New York
Centraps request.
Toilers' Boost Slow.
tThe employees waited 1S months for
relief under rapidly increasing costs Of
living" Mr.. Jewell said. I'VE do not
believe the present rates are unjust
nor unreasonable and we estimate it
would take five years to properly re-
imburse the employees for the losses
sustained during the time they waited
for an increase last year.
The burden of decreased business
should not be placed on the lowest paid
e,mploye-the common laborer. I
think we should keep in mind that
wages, the interstate commerce COM
mission granted rates which would take
care of them.
"In our opinion, this business de.
preston is only temporary. If the
railroads are granted any relief, they
should pass the benefit to those who
pay the bill.''
Reductions Vary.
Reductions Of II to 81 per cent
were proposed in various classes Of un-
skilled labor on the New York Central
and comparison with common labor
in other industries was made by NJ. A.
AfcClory, statistician for the railroad.
of way employees, he said.
would be reduced from 46 to 4Sk
cents an hour to 1895 cents.
Farm labor figures were introduced,
backed by s. L. Striving. president Of
the American Farm bureau federation :
Of New York, and Frank NJ. Bradley.
head of the New York State Federation
Of Agriculture.
Wages in 1920 averaged from $50 to
$50, according to Mr.. Strivings' fig
ures, and now were down to So to $66.
Farm labor hired by the day averaged
35 to so cents an hour last year and
was now q to 35< cents, he said. Men
hired by the month, he explained. were
usually given board and lodging. but
such concessions.
Cut Averages 20%.
Wage scales of 1920 and 1921 In two
score cities on the New York Central
were submitted to show the compara-
tive pay in other industries for COM
mon labor. Decreases Of approximate
" 20 per cent were shown to be thu
average in Albany, Utica, Rome, Roehs
ester and New York City. In the late.
ter's suburbs, decreases a. high q u
and Amsterdam, New York, decrea1es
we're around so per cent.
Decreases ranging from 10 20 u %
.onA Were shown from GnYy. lnl& q