The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1921-03-10
WORK IOGETHER OR
RECK TIL ! IMP

sociation through constructive dis
play advertising in the newspapers IS
doing great work to awaken the
people Of the country TO problems
confronting us II says:
"At time when the public mind
Is pessimistic, when industry and the
men OF industry are idle, and the
consumer refuses to consume, tonic
of facts should produce a practical
understanding of the problems invol-
we'd and TO that extent shorten the
period of readiustment and restore
optimism.
The lumber industry which nor
mally pays 60 per cent of all wages
paid in Oregon and Washington, Ia
stagnant. This is primarily due to
economic readjustment through
WHICH the ndtlon 10 p"o7ihb' NV ~"
free spending, post war financial,
commercial and inebriation.
The lumber industry of the north
west has been particularly handi-
capped by 1890 freight advances
which put II at disadvantage OF
from ss4 to s327.75 per car for the
freight charges in connection with
other lumber producing sections op-
Grating on lower wage scales and
longer hours. Thus west coast lum-
Der producers are shut out OF their
most extensive territory.
Lumber is down to pre-war figures
but other building materials do not
follow suit, hence construction is de-
layed. General commodity prices.
however. show a rapid decline.
The advertisement points out that
peak prices are detrimental to the
general good whether they relate to
commodities or labor. II says: THE
idea that labor can escape readjust-
ment is folly. The sooner the seal
ing down in excessive wage costs.
the better 1t will be for the public,
the worker and business.
Especially is this true OF railroad
labor. the inflated cost of which is
largely responsible for freight rates
that have strangled commerce.
From 1914 to 1920 inclusive, the
roads were forced to pay an increase
of 270 per cent in wages to is pei
cent more employees. These inereas
es were granted under federal con
troll which together with artificial
working agreements have padde'
railroad operating costs in an out
rageous manner. Following are Illus
trations of this legalized robbery.
The Pere Marquette railway wa
compelled recently to pay $9,364 /
back pay TO four employees becaus
their titles. under federal contro
were changed By decision OF the d
rector general.
A car repairer on another rallwa
was paid $1,000 for work ne new
did. He was laid off, with other on
ployees. because there was not woI
for him to do. When under his ''seI
iority" rights he became entitled
re-employ he received back p;
and overtime.
-, Four carmen on the Sante Fe We
sent out On the line to do pie
of work which took four hours al
thhty-three minutes The compal
was compelled to pay these men Z
112 hours work,
-Four machinists on the Norfalk
Western, were sent to an outlyi,
point where they actually work
eight hours per day for three da!
Each of them had to be paid straig
time for the twenty-four hours
did work and time and half Tor Sc
enty-two hours he did not work.
with labor in Other Industries Ia
ing It's deflaiion. ii is manifestly U
far that railroad labor should &C
tinue to enjoy special privileges
- -~av of inflated compensate