New-York tribune., 1921-10-20
3 100000 Idle
Rail Men Ready
To Rum Trains
(Contlnusd from pace ene)

out an appeal for volunteers. "The
Erie Railroad will carry out its obliga-
ton to the public said Mr. Mantell.
Offers OF automobiles, t. lcks, aero
planes and boats to be used in carry
ing passengers and food supplies in the
event Of strike continued to be made
to the authorities yesterday.
The Merchants Association sent a
letter to Dr.. Royal $. Copeland, Health
Commissioner. off ing the city the use
OF trucks owned by its members. The
Automobile Club informed Mayor Hylan
that It's facilities would be at the citv's
disposal for the transportation Of
foods.
Plans for transporting the New Jer-
sey and Westchestcr commuters were
formed at Newark and White Plains.
All mayors in Bergen County, n. J.,
were requested by Mayor Sheaf. of
Rutherford. to unite Ia forming vo!un
teer train crews. Jtney and bus com
panies offered to cooperate with the
mayors
Mr.. Cuyler's statement in part
reads:
Tho railroads of the United States
cannot give good service to the public
unless the employees perform their
duties IN good spirit. and unless the
employees themselves are convinced
that they are treated reasonably and
generously by the railroad companies.
operation and understanding among
those engaged in industry.
Last to Get Wage Raise
"Railrcad managements earnestly
doprccate the necessity of reducing
wages They appreciate the fact that
certain classes of railroad wages were
among the last TO 20 up, and that they
ought not to 60 down except under
procure Of the most urgent necessity
The railroads are not seeking to
Iiace the whole burden of the present
situation upon labor. Railroad owners
have made their sacrifices The fact is
tnat agriculture and industry generally
are unable to pay many Of The current
charges Tor railroad transportation
Yet those charges arc absolutely necc-.
SarN If money is to be ohts incd TO pay
present wages
THAT the railroads are not thcm-
selves capable of bearing further losses
VIII be evident from these facts:
During the years when other indus.
tries were making vcrv large profits
when the prices of farm products and
me wages Of labor were soaring to un-
heard Of heights. the earnings upon
railroad investment in the United
States were held within very narrow
limits, and they have during the past
four years progressively declined.
Tho railroads in 1920 realized net
ra way operating income Of about s62,-
ODO.o0o upon property investment Of
over SO 600 900 900, and even this
amount of S62,ooOooo Included back
Aaii pa Tor prior years received
from the government or approximately
s6f 600 600, thus showing, when the op-
cratlons Of that year alone are con.
sdorcd, an actual deficit before making
any allowances for either interest OF
/ dividends
For the eight months ending August
g. 1921, the railroads of this country
did not earn sufficient to pay interest
on thcir outstanding bonds.
hat the railroads werc able tc
realize any net earnings whatever fol
that period was due 10 drastic rcduc-
tons i'm expenditures for the main
tFhaHce OF tue properties fallurf
10 pend money which must later on be
put into their perty.
"Tho railroads spent for maintenance
iu the first e ght months Of 1921 S973,
O0N. 900 less than they did for me same
period Of 1890. Had the expenditures 10,
maintenance in 1921 been equal TO thos,
for 1920 the railroads, instead OF real
iziug tho ret operating income Of s303
000,000 fer thc eight months IS showr
in tho Interstate Commerce Commits
sion reports, would have been faceC
With an actual deficit o moro thar
$40 1000 0O0n