New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-10-09
Executives Contend Qucs.
ton of Lower Tariffs
Depends on SlasI,ing
of Wartime Paw Rolls
Labor Board Held
Obstacle to Plans
Both Factors Should Be
Regulated by Same Au-
thoriiy, They Declare,
UrgingTransfer ioI.C.C.


WASHINGTON. Oct. S.-A con,-
mittee of railroad executives told
President Harding at the White
House to-day, in a conference on
transportation problems, that the
roads wanted to meet the country's
demand for lower freight rates, but
felt that simultaneous reductions Of
wages were Imperative In the event
of the wage cut, the railroad men
told the President, they did not be-
lleve that the employees would be-
unreasonable, as the carriers now
are paying 40 cents an hour for men
who can get only % cents an hour
at farm work.
The committee which met Presi-
dent Harding included Thomas De
Witt Cuyler and Alfred 2. Thorn. Of
/ the Association of Railway Execu-
tives, and w. w. Atterbury. vice.
president of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road. Their conference with the
President, taken in conjunction with
meetings earlier in the day between
railroad executives and Secretary Of
Commerce Hoover, members of the
Interstate Commerce Commission
and Senator Cummins, chairman of
the Senate Interstate Commerce
Committee, bore out the belief pre-
vailing here that general reduction
in rates is planned by the railroads
at an early date.
Chicago Meeting to Act
Although the railroad executives have
not announced definitely any intention
to cut rates, il Is believcd that tho
meeting of all the railroad head. in
Chicago next week will decide on such
reductions along lines to be suggested
by the committee that is going into
the subject here in Washington. The
question that then will confront tho
roads is what to do about wages. They
be also. They do not desire to proceed
in defiance of the Railroad Labor
Board. On the other hand, there Ia
little to indicate the Labor Board will
grant such reductions in wages as tho
roads would like to have in effect.
What the railroad heads would like
is legislation either abol.shiny the
Labor Board or transferring its powers
to the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion. They believe that if the boards
powers were given to the same body
hat al foc 4 K
less trouble in making rates and wages
correspond.
The probable outcome will be an
early cut in rates and then an effort on
the part of the roads to get the Labor
Board to reduce wages TO correspond,
and at the same time an effort by the
roads to get new legislation relative to
the Labor Board 1t looks now as II
that Legislation would be aimed at
transfer of the boards powers to the
Interstate Commerce Commission
rather than abolition Of the board out
right. The heads of the roads at their
Chicago meeting hope to get the farm
ers, merchants and shippers generally
to support them in seeking lower wage
scales if they cut rates.
Senators Insistent on Cut
Steps in Congress TO force reductions
in rates, regardless of the attitude Of
the roads, were considered at con-
ference OF the Senate agricultural
bloc tonight. Senators OF the bloc"
are insistent on lower rates. and they
are disposed either to hold up the rail.
way credit bin or to attach amendments
to it for the purpose Of lowering rates.
Repeal Of the so-called guaranty in
the transportation act is one of the
amendments they would like.
The rail heads who saw Senator
Cummins included Samuel Rea, presi-
dent Of the Pennsylvania; A. H. Smith,
president Of the New York Central:
Julius Kruttschn.tt. chairman of the
board ,, of the Southern Pacific; Hals
Holden, president Of the Burlington
and Mr.. Cuyier. The railway officials
admitted they had called to discuss
rates and wages and said their pur-
pose in seeing the President and
other officials had been TO learn their
views with respect to the railway
situation t general.
Between the executives and Senator
Cummins there was a frank talk over
the situation. Senator Cummins told
the officials that it seemed to him al
most imperative for the roads 70 cut
rates. and he said this should be done
promptly, especially en- agricultural
products. lie said the farmers could
not continue ~ bear up under existing
rates.
Senator Cummirs made it plain In
the conference that if the roads and the
EMPLOYEES We're going to defy the Rais-
road Labor Board then il might as well
be abolished. He said it would either
have TO tie abolished or strengthened if
Il IL to tc disrcearded He IS not in fa-
vor of aoo.ishing it's powers. AS TO
putting both rates and wages in charge
Of the Interstate Commerce Commission
he is not greatly opposed 10 that, and
sees some reasons for it.
Senator Cummins holds that If ths
railroads proceed to cut wages in de-
fance Of the Labor Board there will
in all probability be strike. How
ever, he said after the conference tnat
he did net think the railroads would
take snch course. as il would be Ill
advised.
The Senate Interstate Commerce
Committee, at meeting to-day, con.1
sidered the railway credit bill already |
passed by the House but did no. COM
plete Il. 1t will be takep nm ueolu s%