Evening journal., 1921-07-30
PENNSY FORCE
GOING BACK
TO TODD'S CUT
CONTINUED From First Page.)

as soon after as physical examina-
tions can be finished.
The accusation, that the company
had used coersion in getting the men
to agree TO the piece work plan of
pay, was denied at the French
Street Station Offices, this morning
An official OF THE company said why
Il is absurd to think we used coersive
methods. OF threats to get the ac-
ceptance of the plans. The proof
we did not. is that every man, who
did not agree TO accept the proposed
plan. has not been laid off or dis
charged, and will not be-"
All the facilities at the command
of local railroad officials are being
called into service in examination
and rehiring Of 500 men, who can
return to work next Monday, If they
accept the piece work basis. 1t was
said this morning that assurance had
been given tho company by a sufii-
cient number of former employees,
Notwithstanding statements to- the
contrary to enable the company to
begin operations Monday, under the
new wage plan.
against the piece work plan, at the
largely attended meeting Of former
employees, held last evening in odd
Fellows Hail, Tenth and King
Streets said this official today sis
not indicated by the number Of ap-
plicants for unemployment, as
having any deterring effect on the
situation. We expect to be able to
return to normal activities within
a very short period"
1t was also stated by a railroad
official this morning that assurances
/ had been given by word at this time
and by the acts Of the v-mpany IN
former years. that no reductions in
the piece-rate schedule would be
made, Just because one or even halt
the men make large pay. He said
During the time piece work was ir
effect, we always endeavored to have
he inefficient workmen make good
and took them to places to watch
similar work being done by more
efficient workmen. This was done ii
an effort to have all men in our en-
ploy receive good pay"
1t is also assured by the COM
pany that no man will receive less
than the equivalent of so cents pei
hour for his labor. Should any en-
ploye working on the piece worl
basis find his earnings did noi
amount to at least SO cents an
rour. the difference would be made
up by the company and the man re
ceive s4 for the days work.
Thirty-six men were examined
yesterday and only one failed tC
pass the requirements for re-em
ployment.
The shops at Altoona, it is saiC
have been working on piece worl
basis for the past month and ar
receiving, according to company Of
ncials. better pay than during som
OF the inflated periods. I'VE fee
certain" said the official that al
our labor troubles will be over a
e soon as the returning workmen re
r ceive their bi-weekly pay envelop'
It is a more equitable adjustmer
4 OF the wage question than any ye
% submitted. We feel confident the re
s turn of these several hundred me
81 will be an impetus to business"
B. Thomas ID. Carroll, Internations
! representative of the Internations
- Association of Machinists, addresse
o. a gathering of several hundred me
, chanics last evening at a specis
r meeting in Odd Fellows Hall, Tent
and King streets. called TO conside
! the proposition offered the mechanic
I formerly employed at the Todd's Gu
shops. He advised them not to ac
, cept the piece work plans proposed
He said Work no piece work, bt
stick to your job until you win in
=. dustrial liberty and your rights"
A resolution protesting against III
= manner in which the railroad
. handling its industrial relations ;
the Wilmington shops was adopted
Carroll scored the piece-work syi
= tenn as destructive of the morals
G the workers. 1T breeds jealous
y among the workers and creates dl
d honesty in the discharge Of the dl
y ties of the worker because OF the el
II shaving conditions which the syste
foists upon the workman" he d.
s clared. He was optimistic in his r
l. marks as to the final outcome of u
q railroad situation, arguing that lab
j. and capital must give and take
IS bring about an ideal condition.
'e Resolutions Adopted.
Sc The resolution which was adopte
l. and of which copies will be 70
n warded to r. NJ. Barton, charms
le of the u. S. Railroad Labor Boar
N A. O. Wharton. llbor member Of q
IS hoard, and pre- "a In person
D. e. b. Whitman, cOmpany's ma
ter mechanic, reads as follows;
ly Whereas, The Pennsylvania Ra
~ road has placed into effect at Z
y Todd's Cut shops an arbitrary piec
is work system. together with a met
ne cd OF dealing with the employees IN
TX borders on the archaic; and
es whereas. Employees of the W
av nington shops have been force
IN through coercive methods, to 81
n up for piece work; and
~ whereas. The point OF cont
was directly between supervisory
- fcials at the shops and individt
~ workers. in no case was the propos
90 system discussed with duly chos
"a representatives OF the shopmen,
80 PENNSYLVANIA System Federated 4
n visory Board; and
~ whereas. Unemployment con
ho tions in the Wilmington district
'is this time are so severe that
No or. most any consideration must q
~ real to a starved-out worker, q
The Pennsylvania Railroad Co
he pany has evidently taken advsnts
be OF this unemployment crisis; the