The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1921-04-04
A CRITICAL SITUATION.

washington, d. c. - "Once more
the nation is confronted by a critical
transportation situation-a situation
that demands the thoughtful attention
Of all the people," admonishes the Re-
publican Publicity Association,
through its President, Hon. Jonathan
Bourne, Jr., Directly, there is a con-
travery between railroad companies
and their employees over the question
Of wages. Indirectly the issue affects
all the people Of the country, for
every seller or buyer Of goods and
every traveller is affected by the costs
o frailroad operation. The patrons of
the railroads pay the wages.
"As every one knows there was an
increase In railroad wages in 1916 by
governmental order after the railroad
brotherhoods had threatened to strike
l fthcir demands were not met by a
certain day and hour. In response to
the urgent recommendation of Presi-
dent Wilson, the Adamson Act was
passed by Democratic Congress and
Mr.. Wilson signed it, using four diff
ferent pens which were presented to
the heads Of the four brother hoods as
mementoes of their victory over the
government. Later, under government
operation of the roads, wages were in
creased from time to time, and the
scale of compensation remained at the
government figure when the roads
were turned back to private manage
ment. There have been adjustments
in wage scales in most large employ
ing concerns but none in railroad en-
ployment for the reason that the law
provides for certain conferences, ap-
peals, hearings and formal decisions
by board. The railroads propose a
reduction Of salaries and wages, from
top to bottom, with equitable adjust
ments which make allowance for diff
ferences In rates Of increas under gov
ernmental orders. In support of their
proposal the railroad managers cite
the fact that there have been adjust
ments mother lines of employment,
and that government statistics show
that large proportion Of the rail-
road mileage of the country is now OPP
Grating at q loss.
"If this were question between the
railroad owners and railroad en-
ployees alone, the public could af-
ford to sit quiescent and await the
outcome. Nut the public is The party
to the controversy most vitality affect
ed, and, therefore, most extensively
interested. Needless to remaik, the
public Is and always has been willing
to pay fair and equitable wage and
to have the employees work under
proper conditions. But on the other
hand, the public is entitled to have
wages and working conditions adjust
ed if out Of harmony with wages and
conditions in other lines Of industry
an denterprise. Whether the compen-
satons of railroad employees, If con-
tinued on wartime basis, are out of
proportion to wages in industries that
have gone through readjustment, is
a question to be discussed and in the
discussion public opinion will be a
large II not a controlling factor.
"The railway wage increases began
with an arbitrary raise granted In
pursuance of an act of Congress, and
not through sa-called 'collectice bar
gaining The chosen representatives
of the public authorized the arbitrary
increase withou. the consent Of the
employers. The employees can hardly
justify themselves, therefore, in COM
planning at an arbitrary decrease in
corresponding degree without their
consent.
"The situation presented is criti-
cal one-one that vii lnot wait in
definitely for remedies. Many of the
railroads are we'll on the way to re-
ceiverships IL not bankruptcy. The
suggestion Of the leaders of the four
brotherhoods that any change in wage
scales can come only after extended
hearings-meaning long delay-is one
that will not find much support out