The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-10-17
PUBLIC GROUP ASKS
FOR LOWER FREIGHT
RATES BY CARRIERS
If the Railroads win Immediate
" Adopt This Suggestion
Situation VIII Clear.
az We AssoeIatsd Prsssl

WASHINGTON, oct. 16.-Immedi-
ately translation Of the reduction au-
thorized last July in wages of rail-
road employees into reduced freight
rates was suggested by the. public
group Of the railroad labor board to-
night as zone feasible plan by which
the present controversy can be settled
|and strike averted"
fIf the railroads win Immediately, III
good faith, adopt this suggestion. the
public group said In the first state
ment issued since arrival III washing
ton, 'the situation can be cleared up,
freight rates reduced to shippers, the
cost Of living reduced to consumers
and q stimulating effect exerted upon
all business.
Under the plan suggested by the
public group. the railroads would
withdraw their request for further
wage reductions until freight reduc-
tions have been completed, and pend
ing action Of the board on such petit
tion for further reduction as the car
riers may subsequently submit" the
unions would withdraw the strike or
der.
The suggestion was based. the state
ment said, on one put forward by W.
w. Atterbury, vice president Of the
railroad before con-
vention In Chicago last Friday.
Immediate reduction in freight rates.
ik was asserted, would operate to the
benefit Of the railway employees and
would constitute one OF the statutory
fND4 fs8
wages, while. through a reduction In
the cost OF material, It would to that
extent relieve the railroads Of the ne
cessity Of relying solely upon wage
cuts for reduction Of their operating
expenses.
The statement, given ont by Ben W.
Hooper. member Of the group said
in part:
"There is at least one feasible plan
BY which It can be settled and = strike
.sIf the railroads viii Immediately, in
good faith, adopt this suggestion. the
situation can be cleared up. freight
rates reduced to shippers, the cost OF
living reduced to the consumers and
stimulating effect exerted upon all
business.
s'We would suggest that the wage
cur Of July first DO translated at once
into q reduction Of freight rates. This
would be much more tangible and sat
Isfactory to the public than to promise
that future wage reductions VIII pc
passed on to the people in the form OF
reduced freight rates. The public un-
doubtedly expected this result when
the July reduction was made and its
consunmation now, though somewhat
delayed. would be highly gratifying.
That direct benefits would promptly
follow ana that the psychological ef-
.ect would be Instantly beneficial cam
not be doubted
Putting these suggestions into DELI
aite propositions, the group members
proposed the following:
Il. Let the carriers immediately |
rive . general rate reduction measured
81 the July wage reduction and the
benefits derived from the new rules ]
ana devised under the supervision OF
Tie inter state commerce commission
g. afford the greatest degree Of rehef
d the public.
g. Let the request for further
waga reductions be Withdrawn until |
rate reductions have been completed
@s At such time IS the carriers
deem advisable. let them present to the
railroad labor board their petition for
j further reduction ia wages, based
apcn conditions then existing.
IL. Pending the working out og the
rate reduction ard the action OF the
labor board on such petition for 4 /
lcontinued on Page Slxl