New-York tribune., 1922-06-17

business IN order that they may expand
their facilities is absolutely indispens-
able 20 their efficient service 20 the
American public. Their unprepared-
ness now % cope with any greatly in
creased traffic Is notorious. Every IA
euisv of railway transportation has
beer skimpcd for the last several years.
and. as 20 mileage there has been an
actual decrease instead OF an increase.
"This statement must rot he niscon-
sfruod 20 mean that the employees
should be called upon % bear the cost
~ railway rehabilitation, improved
service ard reduced rates. Il simply
means that 10 is only patriotic common
sense and Justice that every citizen,
including the railway employee. should
co-orerafe In a cordial spirit, should
bear and forbear, until the carriers
are back on their feet.
when this accomplishment is safe
ly under way. 10 will then be possible
Tor fhe Railroad Labor Board 20 give
increased consideration 20 all intricate
details.
Economic Laws Hit Labor
'Tr this connection 10 should 0e said
that the Labor Board has never adopt
Cd tho theory that human labor ~
commodity 20 be bought and sold upon
the market. and consequently. 20 be
reduced 20 starvation wages during
periods Of depression and unemploy-
nent. On the other hand. 10 Is idle 20
contend that labor can be completely
freed from the economic laws which
likewise affect the earnings Of capital.
~ also must be remembered that
carriers are at liberty 20 pay 70 any
class q employees a higher wage than
that fixed by this board whenever the
so.calied labor market compels. pro-
vlded. az the act states, that such wage
does not result in increased rates 20
the public"
Taking notice % labor leaders who
declared after the last wage decisions
that the board had disrogarded the en-
p,oyees living wage arguments, the
decision said;
"When the railway employees de-
partmcrt presents figures 20 show that
tho sum o. S2.G3697 Is necessary Tor
tho minimum comfort budget OF the
average family. 10 has propounded an
economic lmposs.bility," the decision
said.
Justice TO Workers. Aim
"fn The settlement Of these questions
% rs thc profound desire Of the Labor
Board % do justice 20 the parties di-
rectiy concerned, placing the human
and social consideration above the
purely economic and finally, 20 estab-
iifh wages ard conditions that will
largely meet the hopes and sspira-
fons q the employees. that viii prove
satisfactory 70 the carriers, and that
wIll impose no unnecessary burdens on
the public. This is not Utopian con-
ccnton ir America"
The dissenting opinion took the ma.
joYty TO iask Cor the cut and declared
there could Doc "no question that very
great pressure had been brought 70
bear ON the board from different
sources. making 10 difficult 20 consider
the case on its merits" The net effect
was 90 read into the transportation
lcf Il~ bases probably never contem-
plated hy the framcrs the opinion
said
Objections Of Minority
Five reasons were named % cover
TIC minority objections. That the bases
On watch tie decision was made "8re
not sufficient 90 Justify the action
.. .cr." trat the reasons offered for the
clf ro "f1r beyond the provision Of the
.f.ns sporfation act. that the new wages
no DOT ENSURE continuance OF previous
standards of living that basing Taii-
TclG wages on similar wages IN outside
industries is NOT sufficient reason for
reduction ~ present, and that the
nov wages condemn these railway
vofkoI. to lives of extreme poverty