Evening journal., 1921-10-15
rail CONTROL
found FAILURE
w. w. Atterbury Offers Fig
ures to Show Public Has
Suffered by 1t
URGES WAGE
AND RATE CUT

CHICAGO, oct. 15.-Roduction OF
wages for railroad employees. the
saving to the road being passed on
the public in reduced transportation
rates. was urged by W. w. Atterbury.
vice-presldent OF the Pennsylvania
Railroad. in an address before the
National Vehicle and Implement AS
ISOLATION yesterday. He asked that
public sentiment aid the roads In
their efforts to readjust rates which.
he said. was essential to the return
OF the country's prosperity.
Mr.. Atterbury reviewed the
growth OF American railroads, de-
crying the regulations placed upon
their operation in recent years and
asking a release from such rigid su-
pervision. He offered figures to
show that, after twenty years OF
regulation. freight rates have in
Creased 100 per cent. railroad ef-
hciency has been reduced and rail-
road securities have brought de-
creased earnings.
Transportation is In bad shape"
Mr. Atterbury said. do not blame
II on the war. Nobody is running
the roads; nobody Is responsible for
them. The privately elected man
ayers have only slight authority and
slight responsibility. Government
control was a failure. Nothing can
take the place Of individual ihitia-
tive. ability and responsibility.
trThara can 1.n NJ hAan o. rrttsrr
Of real prosperity until the world
finds industrial and political peace.
In the cost OF production transpor-
i tation charges necessarily enter. and
transportation must do its share Of
defiauon, although there is little
evidence that a reduction OF rates
viii stimulate business and give
work to the unemployed"
Costs OF production must come
down. Mr.. Atterbury said. and that
could be accomplished only through
wage reductions. He declared wage
reductions we're a matter OF ncces-
sity which. unless faced now, will
come with far greater force later
on"
The issue whether railroad labor
shall be a preferred class. fixing It's
own compensation without regard TO
the effect upon other interests. must
be squarely met" Mr.. Atterbury
said. IN the long run a fair ad-
justment Is In the best interests OF
: the railroad employees.
My judgment. therefore, Is:
First. That the railroads Of the
country. In order 10 show their good
. faith. should make an adjustment in
/ rates. This adjustment should 60 70
the agricultural interests, In as much
as they are by far the largest and
, most important element OF our pop
: ulation and have already themselves
- borne the brunt OF the greatest de.
ihation.
Second. That there should be ar
- immediate application on the par
y OF the railroads 10 the United State.
3 Railroad Labor Board for a reduc.
e ton In wages Commensurate with
0 the change in wages Of other indus
: tries.
o Third. That the public should
] enter heartily into and assist tn,
carriers In the request for a reduc.
= tion in railroad wages.
n Fourth. That the railroad,
8 should Immediately pass oil. TO IN,
p public in reduced rates whatever
n saving may hereafter be accom-
8 plished through reduced wages. ex
y cept in so far as rate reductions al
L ready shall have been made.
= Fifth. That the public shouls
stand solidly behind the railroads II
a program Of laws and regulation
! which. while sound economically
2 shall yet not impair the Initiative o
= railroad management.
;. BY the reduction In rates, the re
= duotion in wages and the releasl
! from regulation, by cooperation be
I, tween the public and the public
= railroads, the railroads will havl
= been brought into harmony with tn,
! readiustment so essential TO the re
. turn OF prosperity"