The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1922-07-07
WILL WALL STREET
FORCE BIG REVOLT

aiming ldbOI OIBdnlLdJlOllSs L lCy nav
avoided strikes and resorted to con-
ferences, consultation and arbitration
to settle disputes with their employ
ers. Even the most conservative pa
pers have been prone to point to the
railway unions as well-conducted and
sane" organizations.
Today these organizations are
aflame with the spirit of revolt. They
have lost all faith i'll the fairness of
the United States Railway Labor
Board, and all hope of securing JUS
tice except through resort to a strike.
The railway men are convinced that
if they are to have a decent Ameri-
can standard of living the time has
come when they must fight. There
must be reason. There is a rea-
son, and that reason should be known
by every American citizen, and par
ticularly by every worker and farm
er.
Under Government Control
When the United States govern
ment assumed control of the railways
as a war measure, the chief purpose
in view was to secure increased eff
ficiency. The purpose was achieved.
During the year 1917 when the roads
were under private operation the rail-
road owners spent $690,000,0 900 for
maintenance and equipment. in 1918
the government spent 81 ,110,000 900
and in 1919 $1,215, 100000 for main
tenance and equipment. The private
owners had been milking" the roads
by paying themselves enormous divi-
dends while the equipment deterior-
ated. The government put it in rel
atively good condition.
BY unified control the government
eliminated waste in operation and
greatly increased efficiency. Some
of the high-salaried officials were
dispensed with. The wages of the
employees were increased to keep pace
with the increasing cost of living.
The morale of the service was stead
lily improved, and this showed itself
il better service and greater safety.
During the first five months of
1919 when government control be-
gan to show results there were SGT
less people killed and 1861 less in
iured than during the corresponding
period in the previous year.
Under government control the
American railway system was rap
IDLY becoming safe and efficient The
| employees were relatively contented
and putting their best efforts into
their work. The people were getting
reasonably good service at fair cates.
Improvement was steadily being
steadily made in all directions. But
Wall Street was losing its grip and
high finance demanded that the rail
roads be returned to private control.
The bankers had Their way, and the
lines were turned ever to the man
agement Of financier ana spectators.
Two Years Of Reaction
A special act of congress, known
as the Esch-C ummins law, was
passed to subsidize and protect the
railroad spectators. The law guar
anteed profits to the owners, prcvid-
Ell for increasing rates, and created
the Railway Labor Board.
Acting under this law the railway
owners took $631 ,500,0 900 directly out
of the U. S. treasury within six
months. They got a government loan
of 100000, 900 and in many other
ways received special privileges such
as the government would never dream
| of granting to groups of farmers and
wage earners. Freight and passen-
| ger rates were increased enormously
indeed SO much that in some cases
they paralyzed traffic altogether. In
| their greed the owners failed to sec
at first that the profits were less
than they would have been at lower
rates. Now they are reducing rates
to the point where they still collect
"all the traffic will bear
Many of the companies which had
splendid railway shops of their own
began to let out contracts for repairs
and equipment to favored concerns
at eXorbitant prices. The insiders
shared the profits of these allied
companies, while the general public
was loaded with the excess charges
which were met by increased rates
and government subsidies. Incident
ally, this method of farming out the
work was used to break down the
union conditions prevailing in the
| shops owned and operated directly
| by the railways.
Drastic Wage-Cutting Campaign
From March l, 1920, the day when
the railways were turned back to pri-
vate control, the Wall street finan-
ciers have been scheming to break
| down established working conditions
| and to cut the wages of railway en-
! ployes to the bone. One wage slash
in 1921, authorized by the Railway
Labor Board, took $400000,000 pei
year out of the pockets of railway
workers and put it into the pockets
of railway owners. Another decision
Of the U. S. Railway Labor Board
abolished extra pay for overtime
Sunday and holiday work. This re-
dictionary decision affected the ma
iority of railway workers. 1t not
only reduced their income, but il
made the eight-hOur day a joke.
Within the past few weeks another
series of decisions have slashed the
wages of 100000 workers still fur
Their, and unquestionably the remain
ing 100000 will be attacked in the
end. Just how far the Railway La
Dor Board is ready to go is seen in
the decision affecting the section
men. 100000 Of these workers will
be paid the miserable pittance of %
cents per hour, or $563.04 per yeal
after July 1st The salaries of hun
dreds of high officials ranging from
$4,000 to 1000 per year remain
untouched. The wage of 100000 sec
ton hands is cut from 20 cents pei
hour to % cents. Need more be said
The Revolt and Remedy
The railway men have reached the
limit Of their patience. They are
American citizens and they do not
propose to have their standard of liv-
ing forced down to the level of Chi.
nese coolies. They are going to use
their economic and political power
in the defense of their homes anC
their liberties.
But the railway problem is not the
problem of the railway men alone
We all suffer from autocratic anc
!