The New York herald., 1922-05-29
Dissenting Opinion Of La
Dor Group Contends Find
ing Is Unfair.
DECISION is SIX TO THREE
If Other Glasses Get Similar
Slash Much Of Increase in
1920 VIII Be Wiped Out.

CHICAGO. May 2s ASSOCIATED Press).
More than s4s,000.O00 was slasked
from the wages of 100000 railway en-
ployees in a decision by the United
States Railroad Labor Board tonight.
The decreases, which averaged five
cents an hour in the majority Of cases.
followed cuts of s4O0 900 900 made last
July by the board. To-day's decision,
however affects mostly maintenance
of way workers. although decisions
are pending affecting other classifica-
tions.
If the wage cuts made in the latest
decision are extended to other de-
cisions expected soon, it was pointed
out in railway circles. much OF tte
5000, 100000 increase given by the
board in 1920 will be wiped out and
wages restored to Level which rail-
way officials have told the board will
lead to a new era Of development and
open the way to the employment OF
200, 900 men.
The decision was signed by the threo
railway members of the board and the
three members representing the pub
lie. A dissenting opinion was filed by
the three members representing tho
labor group. The majority opinion
said that the wage cuts. effective on
July I, were made in accordance with
decreases In the cost of living. The
minority opinion contended that the
wage scale provided in tho decision
was insufficient to sustain life on tho
ba SIS of American standards.
Decision Followed Hearings.
The boards decision followed the
hearings held on the request Of the rail-
roads for wage reductions and the
counter request OF several classes OF
employees for increases in pay. rheso
hearings began in Chicago March
and ended April 20. All except three az
four of the larger railway systems 81
the country were affected by the hear
ings, which included all classes Of en-
ployees except those I'm train, yard and
engine service, who were then conducting
negotiations with the railroads. which
had not terminated when the hearings
began.
In announcing separate decision for
maintenance OF way employees in ad-
vance OF its decision as to the other
classes the board complied with re-
quest made by the United Brotherhood
of Maintenance of Way Employees and
Railroad Shop Laborers, which asked
precedence for it's case and as early
decision as possible. The classes not
embraced in the hearings number froi'i
30 70 35 per cent. OF the total OF Dail-
way employees.
In the decision the board called at
tention to the fact that the present adj
iustmant was based on previous wage
Adjustments the first OF which, on July
20. 1920 increased the wages OF ell
classes OF employees approximately
$500, 000. 900 a year, and the second. the
decision OF July /. 1921. which slashed
about s4Oo. .OOO0 900 from the wages OF
some two million employees in all parts
OF the country.
Application OF Minimum Rates.
These decisions. II was pointed out.
were based upon horizontal increases or
decreases of the scales prevailing prior
TO Federal control Of the roads. all Of
which were different for different divi-
sions of the same road. Thus, IL was
said the minimum rates authorized in
the present decision VIII apply only on
a very few divisions OF few roads IN
small groups OF States principally tina
South and Southwest.
All of the former differentials were
continued in the present decision. it
being stated that the wages Of this
class of employees have not been stand
ardized and made uniform throughout
the country. ana will not be made 50
under the decision. The wages OF track
iaborers at present rates range from 2S
to 40 cents an hour Under the decision
they will range from % 20 35 cents an
hour.
The decision asserted that under the
new scale common labor on the roads
will still be receiving a rate higher than
that paid similar lapor IN most other
industries. ON this point the decision
said:
"The board Ia OF tho opinion that
after the reductions made under this
decision common labor on the roads VIII
still be receiving. as n rule. a wage ~
excess OF that paid TO similar labor in
other Industries. and that the same will
be true of all other classes OF Labor
covered by this decision.