The New York herald., 1921-03-12
TO CUT PASSENGER
ANDFREIGHT RATES
railroads See Present High
Tariffs as a Burden to Roads
Instead of a Benefit.
BIG DROP In SHIPPING
Besides Wages, Says Official,
Fuel and Other Materials Used
Must Come Down.
BIG DROP IN SHIPPING

Special Despatch 10 THE NEW YoRK HERALD
CHICAGO, March 11.--With the an
nouncement that every one of the
twenty-eight railroads entering Chi
cago except the Illinois Central. had
taken steps toward wage adjustments
came the statement to-day from one
official that the coming cuts in pay
would result in a general reduction OF
passenger and freight rates
w. G.. Bierd, president of the Chi
cago and Alton Railroad. in announc-
ing conference of employees of his
Dad to discuss with officials wage
reduction, declared present freight and
passenger rates must come down,
I'VE will take steps TO bring about
reductions on the Chicago and Alton
and all of it's subsidiary lines as soon
as it can be done properly without en-
barrassing the board he said. I'VE
have already reduced the wages of our
Peoria terminal because We couldn't
make enough money 10 run 1t even
under the old wages
THE present freight and passenger
rates arc more than the public can bear
and must come down. To bring them
down the roads must be taken out Of
their bankrupt condition. The three
clements In this situation are fuel. pay
roll and cost Of materials. All three are
Mt their war peak. The price of fuel
must come down. cost of maintenance
materials must be reduced and wages
must be lower.
THE sltuai ton is so bad now that
farmers are burning their corn because
they can't afford to ship II, buy coal
and have the coal shipped back.
The nations commerce can't stand
present traffic rates. and the roads can't
reduce the traffic rates until the cost Of
the three fundamentals is reduced"
The Chicago Great Western announced
a conference had been called at Oelwein
Iowa. for March 10 TO submit a proposal
of 20 per cent. cut TO all employees
except trainmen. telegraph operators and
common labor.
The Santa Fe. through one of It's local
officials. announced that Il would call 2
conference within a few days. as soon
a. details could be worked out
other announcements viii follow
daily. Meanwhile conferences are going
on between the roads and the sixteen
IA Dor rgdnizations. as we'll al the ua-
skilled labor. IN q majority Of cases
the reduction proposed IL only IN the
maintenance OF way and unskilled labor
departments. these having enjoyed in
creases under the labor boards award
OF last summer greatly in excess Of the
skilled men. amounting in some cases
TO as high as 275 per cent
The Burlingtons conference yesterday
with its unskilled labor was adjourned
To March %.
The situation on other Western rail-
roads was summarized by officials to-
day as Follows:
Rock Island Lines--A circular TO un-
skilled employees calls upon them fo
have their representatives in Chicago
March 81 for a general conference on
wages. oficials OF the road declare 10
exact cut will be proposed 70 the mon
although they will be asked y accops
a reduction 10 conform 20 the reduced
cost of living ana the wages paid tof
similar work in other industries
The Monon Route tChicago. ln4iaa-
apolis and Louisville) Has ~ prcpara-
tion an official cali 20 unskilled workers
for conference to work out read
justment of wages some time during ta.s
month.
Michigan Ccntral--Now In conference
with representatives OF its employees in
/ Detroit.
Pere Marquette-Held meeting early
/ this week and made readjustncnt pros
posals to Its workers In Detroit. Answer
from the employees is expected soon.
Chicago. Milwaukee and ST. Paul--No
announcement to make. Complying with
/ the wage award OF the United states
Labor Board and will follow the trans
\ poration act in all questions relating
70 wage adjustments
Chicago and Eastern Illinois Satk-
Coat tNgtgd a.. I.a.yrsh nrrA