Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-02-01
D. c. BAKERS WAGE
IS CUT 15PER CENT
Labor Department Mediator
Grants Employers Biggest
Slice Since War.

Bakers and confectionery workers
in the District of Columbia. of whom
there are more than 700, today re-
ceived notice Of 10 per cent reduc-
tion in their wages. which was put
into effect this morning.
This reduction, which is the only
one of any real proportion among the
larger Industries of this city since
the war, was authorized by Rowland
B. Mahany. as mediator of the De-
partment Of Labor and notices of it
were posted today ir. the shops of all
members of the Employing Bakers
Association of the District, which
comprises practically all employing
local bakers and confectionerS using
outside help.
The reduction was authorized by Mr..
Mahany in response to a request made
in December by the employing bakers
who declared that some measure of
relief was imperative from the con-
tract entered into by their organiza-
tion with Local Union No. 11S. Bakery
and Confectionery Workers. last May
The employers explained that because
of the increased scale put into effect
at that time, which was 80 cents an
hour for day and $1.10 for night work,
and with the continued high cost of
materials and operation, all of the en-
ploying bakers were finding it difficult
to keep going.
Some were declared to be operating
at a loss.
Contract Gives Authority.
Mr.. Mahany's authority to grant
such relief is given by the contract
between the employing and journey
men bakers by the following clause:
1T is mutually agreed that Mr..
Rowland B. Mahany of the Depart
ment of Labor be requested to act as
mediator in any changed conditions
that may arise during the life Of this
contract"
However. relief in the form Of this
Is per cent reduction Is only tentative,
Mr.. Mahany states. He also specifies
that this reduction must be subject to
final adjudication of the whole mat
ter on an early presentation of all the
to him or to his successor. In this con-
nection he stated in his order:
IF. however, less percentage of
decrease be awarded either by myself
or successor, such award shall be re-
troacttve to February l. 1921. In case
percentage lower than Is per cent is
fixed, then the rebate Of such differ
ence shall be Immediately repaid to
the employe bakers. All other provi-
sions contained in said agreement. ex-
cept as hereby modified, to remain in
full force and effect"
Profits Greatly Reduced.
Employing bakers pointed out today
that there has been a great reduction
in profits during the past six months,
especially since the middle Of Decem-
Der, when general reduction in the
retail price Of bread was put into ef-
feet. In discussing the bakers pay
cut it was explained that the bread
statesmen and bakery wagon men,
who work on 10 per cent commits
sion basis, received a big cut in their
when the price of bread
was reduced, and that the bakers. if
have been more fortunate.
OF the more than 700 men who will
receive this reduced wage beginning
today, more than half of them are
bakers. The remainder are either
workers or those en-
gagged in some auxiliary trade
A meeting Of the bakers union
will take place next Saturday at
Naval Lodge Hall. At this meeting
the matter will be taken up and the
stand Of the union regarding the rul-
ing will be decided upon. No definite
action will be taken, according to
union officials. until the meeting on