The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1921-02-09
.ATTERBURYDENIES
ATTACK ON LABOR
Says Railroads Are Struggling
to Regain Efficiency.
PUBLIC ASKS LOWER RATES
Pennsy official Declares Economical
Operation Is Necessary Toward Re-
duction,

Chicago, Feb. 9.-W. ". Atterbury
of the Pennsylvania ines, gave out Il
statement for the Association of Rail
way executives, in reply to one issued
/ in New York by B. NJ. Jewell, railroad
| labor leader.
"Mr. JEWELS hope the financial re-
suits of the existing rules and working
conditions can be hidden from either
| the labor board or the public will not
| be realized" said Mr.. Atterbury.
Mr.. Jewell, who is president of the
Railroad Employees Department of the
American Federation of Labor, SAID
President Wilson's statement on the
railroad situation made it clear finan-
cial matters were to be left TO the in
terstate commerce commission.
The labor board 1nder the law is
responsible for just and reasonable
working conditions still being contin-
ued from the war Period preclude the
possibility of efficient and economical
operations and are unjust and unrea-
sonable.
MI. uS"cll NOuIU 'iIllCISI-
sihle waste and inefficlency, even at the
cost of destroying the earning power
of the railroads or of compelling them
to go to the interstate commerce COM
mission for still higher rates.
THE railway executives would in
sure railroad earning power by restor-
ing conditions nee >Sary TO efficient
and economical operation and would
thus pave the way toward reduction
of rates to more normal levels.
Monday six large associations of
cattlemen went before the interstate
commerce commission and asked a re-
duction In freight rates. They testi-
fed their sheep, cattle and wool have
so fallen they can no longer sell them
for enough to pay the freight.
1T costs q farmer In Kansas about
forty-siX cents to ship bushel of
wheat to New York city. OF that rate
twenty-Seven cents Is consumed by the
labor cost Of railway operation alone
In 1917 the entire freight rate was
only twenty-seven cents.
lie anu COLlSuIHSIS VI Tie
country cannot support Mr.. JEWELS
program. 1t requires no conspiracy
against union labor 10 explain their
attitude Of mind. The railroads are
struggling to regain the reasonable
productivity Of a considerable part of
theiG employees, now seriously impaired
by the rules and working conditions
coming over from the war. That CON
spiracy' Is the conspiracy of the en-
tire country"
For the Pennsylvania system Mr..
Atterbury issued a statement denying
1T had refused to meet its employees.
He said
ave have not refused. In fact, we
have sought to confer with represen-
3BtfFes of the employees Of our respec-
tive companies. TO be SpeIf we have
conferred and negotiated with organ
ized representatives of the employees
of the p. r. r. Other railroads are
doing the same"
Discrimination on account of color
formed the basis Of IN appeal present
ed BY J. Fl. Eiland, president of the
Association of ColOred Railway Train
men, to the railroad labor board. 1t
Is hearing labor unions not affiliated
with the American Federation Of La
Dor on the proposal Of the railroads to
abolish the national var wage agree
ments.
Mr. Eiland asked immediate abroga-
ton of all national or local agreements
which do not apply equally to all men
In the transportation department, re-
CARELESS OF color