Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-04-15

fore by whom rules have been arrived
at by agreement.
The decision. so members OF the Labor
Board indicated tonight. meant that dis-
putes about rules and working condi-
tions were automatically referred back
to conferences between each road ana
its employees. This plan was urged by
the railroads, while the labor leaders
favored national conference between
representatives of all roads ana All
unions.
bases Of Rules Set Forth.
As a foundatic for the rules to be
discussed in conference by executives OF
employees a draft OF sixteen principles
was issued by the board in connection
with it's decision.
This sot of principles deal first with
the obligation OF both carriers and en-
ployes to render adequate service at
economical cost rnC invokes spirit of
co-operation to this end. Next. the
right q railway managers to preserve
discipline by proper rules and the right
OF employee TO organize are upheld. The
principles set forth the right OF union
men TO obtain the same consideration
from employers as 1of Union men get.
on the other hand. they deCry the policy
OF some unions in forcing workers TO
join.
other points arc that employees should
have proper notice of any decision al
fecting them adversely as TO working
conditions or wages: that no employe
should be disciplined without fair
hearing and that he should bn rein
stated if the decision OF such hearing
was in his favor.
The board approves the principle OF
the eight-hour day. but believes II
should be limited TO work requiring
practically continuous application dur
ing eight hours. Eight hours work for
eight hours pay is enjoined. The right
of seniority is upheld as well as the
right OF employees TO negotiate through
representatives of their own choosing. |
Espionage by both sides is condemned. |
Some of these basic declarations. all !
of which were drawn UP 10y Henry +. |
Hunt one Of the public members of the
Labor Board. were regarded by the
labor leaders as distinct victories for
them. On the other hand. tho railway |
executives saw in some ot the prin-
cinles enunciated an upholding OF their
contentious.
The sixteen Principles.
The principles outlined were as fol-
lows:
l. An obligation rests upon manage
mcnt. upon each organization OF en-
ployes and upon each employe TO rem
der honest. efficient and economical
service.
,. The spirit OF cooperation between
management and employees being ea-
sential TO efficient operation. both
parties VIII so conduct themselves as
10 promote this spirit.
3. Management having the response
bility for safe. efficient and economical
operation. the rules will not be sub
vcrsive of necessary discipline.
4. The right Of railway employees 10
organize for lawful objects shall not
be denied, interferod with or obstructed. |
3. Tho right of such lawful organiza- |
tion to act toward lawful objects |
through representatives Of its own |
choice. whether employees OF particu- |
lar carrier or otherwise, shall be agreed |
to by management.
s. No discrimination shan he prac- !
ticed by management as between mem |
bers and non-members OF organizations |
or as between members Of different or !
ganizations. nor shall members of |
members or use other methods than
lawful persuasion 10 secure their mem |
bership. Espionage by carriers on
the legitimate activities OF labor orCani-
zations or by labor organizations on the |
legitimate activities Of carriers should |
not be practiced.
Z, The right OF employees To be con
suited prior TO a decision OF manage
ment adversely affecting their wages or
working conditions shall be agreed 10 by
management This right Of participa-
tion shall be deemed adequately com
piled with If and when the representa-
tives OF a majority of the employees OF
the several classes directly affected shall
have conferred with the management.
s. No employe shall be disciplined
without fair hearing by q designated Of
flcer of the carrier. Suspension in
proper cases pending a hearing, which
shall be prompt shall not be deemed
a violation OF this principle. At a rea-
sonable time, prior TO the hearing. he
is entitled TO be apprised of the pre-
else charge against him. He shall have
a reasonable opportunity TO secure the
presence Of necessary witnesses and
shall have the right 70 be there repre-
sented by counsel OF his choosing. If
the judgment shall be in his favor he
shall be compensated Tor the wage loss
if any. suffered by him.
O. Proper classification of employees
and a reasonable definition OF the work
to be done by each class for which just
and reasonable wages are to be paid is
necessary. but shall not unduly impose
uneconouical conditions upon the car
riers.
10. Regularity Of hours or days dur
ing which the employe is 10 serve or
hold himself in readiness to serve is
desirable
IL The principle Of seniority. long ap-
piled to the railroad service, is sound
and should be adhered to. II should |
be so applied as not TO cause undue inn
pairrnent of the service.
12 The Board approves of the princi-
pies of the eight-hour day. but believes
it should be limited TO work, requiring
practically continuous application dur
ing eight hours. For eight hours pay,
eight hours work should be performed
bv all railroad employees except engine
I III