The New York herald., 1921-03-17
N CENTRAL WAGE
HEARING TOSTART
TO-DAY PROBABLY
W
Decision By Rail Board in
First Test Case Will Have
Wide Influence.
CALL IS UNEXPECTED
Road Prepares Data Con-
tending Unskilled Labor's
Pay Is Too High.
COMPROMISE LOOKED FOR
Board Not Likely to Abolish at
One Time Its Increase of
Last July.
CALL IS UNEXPECTED
COMPROMISE LOOKED FOR

Tho New York Central Railroad will
apply to-day to the United States
Railroad Labor Board to be heard on
behalf of its contention that the wages
Of common railroad labor should be
reduced beginning April l. If the
board IS prepared to listen the pro-
ceedings viii commence this morning.
This announcement was made yes
tcrday and 50 unexpectedly that those
labor leaders and railroad officials who
secretly hoped that there wouldn't be
tool much speed TO the settlement of
theiwage controversy were sent scurry-
ing. to telegraph Offices notifying per-
aonal and general representatives to
get,busy in Chicago at once. The New
York Centrals case will be the first
heard by the board and presumably
the first decided. On the verdict of
the board in this case will depend the
strength and weakness OF many simi-
lar cases. because the New York Cen
traIs is typical.
But by ndulsing in overtime work
the statistical bureau OF the New York
Central completed the briefs and tables
that Will constitute the literature the
board will BE- asked to digest. The law
yers are primed with oral argument.
The statistical data were telegraphed
10 Chicago yesterday over one Of the
railroads wires and along with that
went instructions to the company's
attorneys to appear before the board
this morning.
As the railroads are the framework OF
the country's industry and settlement
4, the carrier problems Is a settlement
OF general commercial problems II is
believed that the board will clear decks
Tor action at once.
Arguments by New York Central.
In its brief the New York Central will
set forth its present state Of financial
ealth, review the deplorable traffic situ-
alton, contend that tile cost Of living has
declined. and seek 10 prove the wages It
rays its unsldled labor are in excess OF
the going rate for the same brand Of
labor IN every community through which
'ce road operates.
The Ccntrals appeal is in the shape
nad men believe that 1t will turn out
T. be a test case by which all other
roads viii be guided or course, two
other cases have received the attention
OF the board-the Eric Railroad and the
Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantlc--but
reither Of these followed the prescribed
procedure. and could not be considered
test cases or models to be followed.
In short this viii be the boards first
-. infn l,n of
living problem as il affects railroad
workers and the relation Of tho current
living costs TO prevailing rates OF pay.
A decision Is looked for before April l..
The New York Central purposes cutting
wages before the middle OF April. As
ether reads complete their prescribed
conferences with their employees and
receive the final negative from the latter
their cases will be taken before the
roard. Should the New York Central
fail 10 carry its case the next case will
lie contested all the more bitterly by the
railroads. Should the Centrars contcn-
lions be upheld 4 general rally OF rail-
cad labor exclusive Of the four great
Arothcrhoods) Is expected and the union
ren will increase their efforts to prevent
tnc decision from being general.
The opinion seems to be that the
board viii either decide upon com
promise between the prevailing wage
and that existing Immediately before
the present rates went into cffect-July
20, 1920-or decide in favor OF the men.
~ is not the consensus that the board
will abolish. at a clip. the entire in
crease Il authorized last July.
As tho New York Central will con
tend. freight rates must be diminished
before freight traffic win begin 10 re-
vive. But while the bulk Of the stress
has been put upon freight traffic. the
railroad officials are not ncglecting to
show tho demoralizing effect upon in
dustry tophcayy passenger rates have
II will contend that passenger earn
ings are to-day - per cent. below those
of March, 1920