Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-03-09
0" CLERKS ACCEPT
2 TO 6 PCT. CUTS IN
MONTHLY PAY SLIPS
5000 OF RAILWAYS CLERICAL
FORCE BOW TO REQUEST FOR
REDUCTION IN INACCESSIBLE
HIGHER THAN 1917 RATE.

Chicago, March 9-The pleas O,
many railroads addressed TO the Unit
ed States Labor board, seeking author
fly to reduce wages Of all classes OF
employees, brought to light the wage
readiustmont just put into effect hy
the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy rail.
road in which 5000 clerks voluntarily
have accepted q reduction OF pay
amounting TO from 10 per cont
The labor board was not called uu-
on to arbitrato or authorize the cut
Officials Of the union, which comprises
clerks, freight handlers. station en-.
ployes and baggage men, feel they
have made a good bargain
Last July the board allowed a reduc-
ton Of II per cent The additional
decrease effective in February still
gives to the men a much higher rate
of pay than that received in 1911
In a large number Of cases the excess
amounts to nearly sac monthly
The terms Of the agreement permits
the railroad TO discriminate INF the re.
duttions. the more efficient men of the
various grades not being affected,
HE Burlington with other roads
was petitionine for a 10 per cent. re-.
duction. The agreement, reached with
out aid of the federal body, cancels
that application and presages re-
turn of the home rule plan by which
the roads will deal directly with the
unisns.
law. Higgins, secretary Of the West.
ern Association of Railways. M the
labor board hearing yesterday, declar-
ed that many of the 10i roads repre-
scented by the association. We're facing
the imperative need of general wage
reelection.
Figures were cited to the board pur.
porting to show that 90 per cent of
employees Of other industries received
less pay than railroad men.
Fight |. c. c. slashes.
WashingtOn d. c., March 9-Rail
roads began their final defense today
Of existing levels Of freight and pas
senger rates before the interstate com
merce commission when attorneys for
the roads insisted that neither on le-
gal or economic grounds had the ma SIS
of testimony disclosed ground for the
commission 10 make general reduce
tionsl Of rates
The railroads gave way TO their OBJ
ponents just before the days sessions
concluded. Fred w Putnam of the
Minnesota railroad commission, speak
ing.fer all state reculatiye bodies, said
they lare asking 1hsu ,f5r passenger
fare deductions on the ground they are.
tool High for the traffic TO bear and
that sno portion Of railroad charges,
ii rFduced would be more omclJX re-
fetf in the actual cost 10 the ultt
mattel consumer"
Henry W~BikIe ID rhe PqlllsylyanEs |
system usq Enh4d eaglhRa statk
ties, hXhausfAety placed in the record.
to fbtmulate his conclusion that no re-
ductions. eau .baAGra atcd. Railroads are !
entitled to a g per cent return on the
value of property used in trauspUrta-
ton. he contended, .. Nhether this figure
is fixed in the future by law or setup
by the commission as a standard and
the latest earnings reports Indicate
they are now making but 4.49 per cent.
State commissions, shippers, and
business and industrial representa-
tiyes will have the next two days to
elaborate their arguments in the case,
and railroad attorneys will conclude
the entire bearings Saturday with
their rebuttal.