New-York tribune., 1921-03-16
Workers Put
Rail Pay Cut
U p to U. S.
CONTINUED from pauo one)

| CONTINUED from pauo one)
additional data purportng TO show that
the cost of living had been reduced
and That wages In other industries had
1alleh below the levels for similar work
on the railroads. These arguments
we're disputed by the labor leaders, who
announced they would take their cause
before the Railroad Labor Board
pennsylvania Posts Notices
The Pennsylvania Railroad an
nounced last night that notices had
peen posted along it's system informing
employees that "changed conditions
since the present rates of pay became
ehectIvc warrant n reduction in sal
ares and wages" and that the manage
ment therefore proposed to make re-
ductIon in pay effective April 20. While
no mention of the extent of the cut is
stood that it will be similar to those
proposed by the other lncs-that is
the deduction of the increases granted
by the Labor Board last July.
For the purpose of discussing the
proposed revision Of wages, says tho
statement, series Of conferences have
been scheduled, to be attended by rep
resentativcs of subordinate officials
and employees, when an attempt will be
what constitutes just and reasonable
rates of pay in the light of present
conditions"
All the conferences will take place
in Moose Hall, G28 Penn Avenue,
Pittsburgh, this city being selected as
being most accessible from all points
of the system Meetings of repre-
scntatives from the various depart
ments are shcduled for March 81, April
z, a, 6, 8, 9, II, 13, Is and l6 The
notice bears the signatures of G.. S.
krick, general manager of the Eastern
region; X. f. McCarty. of the Central
region; T. b. Hamilton, general man
agcr of the Northwestern region; r. ".
Geer, for the Southwestern region,
and P. f. Smith for the works at
Altoona, Pa.
Marine Reduction Confirmed
In addition, J. f. Fairbanks. secre-
tary of the General Managers Associa-
ton Of the railroads entering this port,
confirmed the previously announced in
tentlon of the railroads to reduce the
wages OF marine workers employed on
the railroad owned barges, lighters and
crafts operating in the harbor The
new schedule was to go into effect on
April 20, the men, it is proposed, to
return to the scale of wages obtaining
increase allowed by the Labor Board
became effective.
1t constitutes cut of from IA to 90
per cent for all classes of workers
aboard ferries, tugs and lighters. Cap
tains who now receive $500 a month
viii be cut to S190; engineers who get
$2l0 Will be reduced to $3.50, and por-
ters, the cheapest class employed on
the craft, will be cut from S1lO to sos.
The ei9ht-hour day, however, will be
retained. The marine workers will dis
cuss the proposition within the next
two or three days and will then make
their reply to the managers. 1t was
unofficially reported that the proposals
would be rejected and the matter
threshed out before the Labor Board
In connection with the sweeping
slashes in pay and personnel projected
by all the roads, Thomas De Witt Guy
ler, chairman of the Association of
Railway Executives, denied that the re
ductions were promoted in concert by
the railroad heads.
There has been no clique of rail
road executives under whose auspices
a reduction in railway pay has been
promoted" he said in statement issued
Yesterday Each road had acted indie
pendently upon its own responsibility
any committee of this association, ex~
cepting that the transportation act
must be strictly complied with"
N. Y. G. Action Precedent
The New York Central conference
was the first of the numerous meet
ings scheduled by the various rail
roads with their employees on the
question of wage cuts and is signii-
cant as foreshadowing the probable
stand that the workers on the other
lines generally may be expected to
take. Representing the railroad at
the meeting were W. j. Fripp, general
manager of the Eastern lines, who pre-
sided. and A. S. ingalls,, the Western
manager. The laborers were repre-
sented by twenty-nine leaders for the
various phases of railroad work, ex-
cept the big Four" brotherhoods
With the semi-slilled men affected,
the leaders claimed to represent about
forty thousand.'
The men took the position that the
present wage standard must be main
tanned to prevent suffering among the
workers. Stair contended that the
wage increase which the railroad is
trying to wipe out was granted by the
Labor Board and that they did not in
tend to give it up unless the board
took it from them.
The rejection Of the proposals, how
ever said Stair, docs not mean
withdrawal from service. But should
the New York Central management
arbitrarily place the new schedule into
effect on April l, then we shall insist
that the matter go at once before the
Labor Board for decision.
Moreover, we intend to abide by the
decision of the Railroad Labor Board
after the matter has been argued be-
fore it, and there will be no trouble if
the railroads agree to do the same
g., r, B. &c L. Employees
Vote for Protest Strike