The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1921-05-21
PEACE HINGES
ON [ LABOR'S ACTS
LEADERS QUIET IN FACE OF AN
NoUNcEMENT OF COMING
CUT IN WAGES.
RAIL WAGES REVISED
OFFICIALS CLAIM BETTER TIMES
AHEAD UNDER LOWER
SCHEDULE.
twe.tern Newspaper Union News Service,

Chicago, May 19.-"What will labor
do?' was the question that became
uppermost as Il result of the announce
ment of the United States Railroad
employees will be revised downward,
effective July i. On the attitude taken
by the labor organizations, observers
declared, hinges the question of peace
in the railway industry.
No inkling of their attitude or in
tentions was forthcoming Wednesday
from leaders of the railroad workers
here. 1t was the evident desire Of
the men who have directed labors
fight to prevent wage cuts to wait un-
til the full details of the boards plan
are announced before making definite
statements.
Railroad heads, however, were in
clined to see better times ahead for
the roads as result of the ruling In
railway executive circles there also
was manifest disposition to await
details before commenting. H. n
Byram, president of the Chicago, Mil
waukee & st. Paul road. pronounced
the boards statement encouraging"
but said the benefits to be derived
from it by the roads will depend on
the reductions to be made
The announcement of the board de-
clares that, in its judgment, a ire
adjustment downward of wages of
10 ..S tI,., sat
parties to the disputes already heard
is justified The board promised to
announce on June l decision cover
ing these disputes, the decision to be-
come effective July l.
On Monday. June 6. the board will
hear wage reduction cases that have
been filed since April is, or which
The decision in these disputes also
will be effective July 1.
Although no inkling of the extent of
, the,reductien 10 be made was given by
the board. it was the general belief
that the wage cuts will aggregate ap-
proximately II per cent Unskilled
employees of the roads will be chiefly
affected. Percentages of increases
granted to skilled workmen by the
boards decision of July 20. 1920, were
not so great. hence it is believed re-
ductions now to be made will be less.
The advance in pay last July was 20
per cent and amounted to S650OO0,-
OOO
The general reduction of wages for
unskilled railroad employees will be
made the basis of reductions extend
ing to all classes of railroad labor, it
was understood Wednesday
Following this cut in wages a reduc-
tion in freight rates and passenger
fares may be announced.
Under the new classification to be
used as Il basis for future wage cuts
or otherwise modifying the $650,O00.-
| 600 annual increase in wages granted
| last July, each group and grade of
| emplayes is given a standardized no.
menclature which is expected to sim
| plify the work of both the labor board
| and the Interstate Commerce Commits
| sion.
| Lack of uniform classification has
| been the cause of bitter clashes in the
| past Recently executives of the Pere
| Marquette road charged that a change
| in title of four of their employees, al
| though there was no change in duties,
cost them over $4,000 in back pay
THE use of standardized nomencla-
ture, based on duties.' the board stat
ed. "will also enable the board to
make comparisons with similar occupa-
tions outside of the railroad service
and TO detect and measure inequalities
in wages between positions in the rail-
roads and outside organizations. With
this establishment. foundation is laid
for securing comparative information.