The Washington times., 1921-03-14
R. R. CONTROL
BY i. S. NEAR

The situation brought about by
the attempt by all leading trunk line
railroads of the country to reduce
Inc wages of their employees, to-
gether with the heavy deficits in
revenue many roads are facing, is
fast making it imperative for the
Government to resume control Of the
railroads and to make this control
permanent. .
BOARD TO DE IGNORED.
This opinion was expressed today
by an official of the Department Of
Labor. who held q responsible posi-
OF Secretary McAdoo. He declared
that the railroads in their present
controversy with employees over the
reduction of wages almost certainly
will disregard the Railway Labor
Board. which is without authority to
enforce its DEGREES.
He predicted that when the time
comes for resumption of Government
operation OF railroads, the public will
be amazed to ind the best railroad
minds OF the country, which he said
had become convinced OF the futility
of private operation. on the side of
Government control.
under the present extortionate
rates." he said, "the railroads. because
of decreased business. are losing
money at a rate no organization can
stand long. When IL 10 attempted to
reduce the wages of vast groups Of
railway workers, strikes will result
that will make imperative the prompt
resumption Of Government control"
SEES APPEAA TO HARDING.
The official predicted that when the
Railway Labor Board fails to function
effectively in tho wage controversy,
an appeal will be made to President
Harding. who will probably try to
settle the controversy through the
Department OF Labor. He predicted
that the Labor Department would be
unable to do anything to remedy the
situation until Government control Of
railroads IL resumed.
w. Jett Lauck, consulting !econom-
that the move to reduce wages In
ist for the railway unions, charges
railroad work is for the purpose Of
destroying the younger and weaker
unions among railway workers. and
asserts that the Big Four brother
hoods have secret Assurance that no
attempt will be made to cut their
own wages.
1t Is universally agreed among
leaders OF railway labor that the
inability Of the Railway Labor Board
to enforce it's DEGREES Is q fatal de-
feet which made the United Statos
Board OF Cancellation and Arbitration
impotent The general belief among
such leaders is that resumption of
Federal control offers the only prac-
ticable solution. ..-...
They declare that the courts al
ready have indicated that they will
not uphold the decisions OF the Rail-
way Labor Board, as shown by a
court decree granting large reduc-
tions in wages paid employees of the
Atlantic, Birmingham and Atlantic
railway after the board had refused
to sanction any reductions.
The financial plight of the railroads 9
was reflected today In a veritable jam
Of demands for money at the Inter-
state Commerce Commission. The
carriers have lost no time in present.
ing claims for partial payments OF
sums due them under the Federal
guaranty.
At the commission a large force OF
experts was engaged upon the accu-
mulated work. The claims are to be
certified rs speedily as possible. to
relieve many of the carriers of pres
ent financial difficulty. Some of the
roads, unable to meet their hxed op-
Grating charges, count upon these
payments to relieve partly their
credit strain.
During the week the payments
certified probably will reach as hign
as S5o.Oo. 900. Officials estimate that
by the middle of April total pay
ments representing partial" sums
found to be due the roads. may az
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