The New York herald., 1921-02-02
RAIL HEADS LAY BAD
FAITH TO WORKERS
Facts Garbled in Plant Sent
to Wilson, Says Cuyler to
President.
DENIES WAGE CUT PLAN
Believes Pay Must Drop Event
ually, but Other Methods of
Relief Are Sought Now.

CHICAGO, Feb. 1.-The railroads of the
country asked the Railway Labor Board
to abrogate the national agreements so
that an ultimate reduction in rates with
out an immediate reduction in wages
would be brought about Thomas De
Witt Cuyler, chairman OF the Associa-
ton of Railway Executives. said tonight
n a telegram to President Wilson re-
plying to one sent to the Chief Executive
last night by representatives of seven
labor unions.
Mr.. Cuyler denied every charge made
against the railroads by the labor lead
ers in their telegram, declaring that they
were deliberate and gross misrepre-
sentations and propaganda intended to
discredit private management of the
railroads in the interests of the Plumb
plan and to defeat efforts being made in
good faith to abolish rules and working g
conditions which We're war measures"
THE action requested by w. w. At
terbury of the Pennsylvania lines (abro-
CATION of the national agreement Is the
only action which, with Government
sanction, can free the hands of the rail-
way executives and enable them by
orderly procedure with their men to de-
velop appropriate rules and working
conditions" the telegram said.
Rules That stand Tests.
The only rules that stand the tests
of practical operation and do not in
volve endless controversy are rules
which are negotiated between each
management and its own men. :.
And the opportunity of securing this Is
requested by the railroads not only to
enable the roads to achieve the earning
tion act. but in the interests OF an ultf-
mate reduction in transportation rates to
the public.
Last, but not least, the roads re-
quest is in the interest OF the men who
work upon these railroads. We recog-
nize that as the wages OF raNoad en-
ployees were the last to go UP, they
should also be the last to come down.
and If by restoring the conditions nee
essary to efficient and economical opera
ton the railroads can postpone for a
reasonable period the reduction Of basic
wages which will ultimately be required
they will be only too glad to do so in
the interests of the great body of their
employees.
THE pressing financial necessities of
the railroads are such that. If denied
the opportunity of initial economy
through proper rules and working con-
ditions, their only other recourse must
be in a reduction of basic wages
"The railway executives are proceed
ing in this matter with the keenest sense
of obligation to the public
independents Win Their Fight.
Despite the opposition of the railroad
brotherhoods, seven Independent EN-
ployees' organizations affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor were adj
mitted to-day as parties to the hearing
on rules and working conditions before
the Railroad Labor Board. The inde-
pendents will have full opportunity TO
present testimony covering their con-
tentons for the boards consideration.
The boards decision was hailed as n
distinct victory for the Independents by
their officers. Opposition to allowing the
seven organizations to participate In the
hearing waf voiced in the employees
opening statement several weeks ago by
B. NJ Jewell, president of the Railway
Employees Department of the American
Federation of Labor. Mr.. Jewell con-
tended that the brotherhoods represented
the employees as a whole and asked
from the board the right to negotiate
agreements in the name of all en-
ployees.