Arizona republican., 1922-05-29
TRepubIican A. p. Leased WireJ


CHICAGO, May 2S-More than
s4s,o00,000 was slashed from the
wages of 100000 railway employees in
a decision by the United States rail-
way labor board tonight.
The decreases, which averaged five
cents an hour in the majority of
cases.. followed cuts of s400.000,0 900
made last July by the board. To-
days decision affected mostly main
tenance OF way workers. although
decisions are pending affecting other
classifications.
II the wage cuts made in the latest
decision are extended to other deci-
sions expected soon, it was pointed
out in railway circles that much of
the s600.000,000 increase given by
the board in 1920 would be wiped out
and wages restored to level which
railroad officials had told the board
would lead to a new era of develop
ment and open the way to the en-
ployment of 100000 men.
The decision was signed by the
three railway members of the board
and the three members representing
the public. A dissenting opinion was
filed by the three members repre-
senting the labor group. The ma
iority opinion said that the wage
cuts. effective July |. We're made IN
accordance with decreases in the cost
of living. The minority opinion con-
tended that the wage scale provided
in the decision was insufficient TO
sustain life on the basis of American
standards.
All of the former differentials We're
continued in the present decision, II
being stated that the wages of this
class OF employees have not been
standardized and made uniform
throughout the country and will not
be made so under the decision. The
wages of track laborers at present
rates ranges from IS to 40 cents per
hour Under the decision. they viii
range from % to 35 cents per hour.
The decision asserted that under
the new scale common labor on the
roads will be receiving rate higher
than paid similar labor in most other
industries.
Mechanics Wages Cut
In a statistical table based on the
figures on wages and the cost OF
living by the department of labor,
which is incorporated in the decision,
the board declared that while the
cost of living in March, 1921 Cast
available government figures, was
approximately 1I.2 per cent more
than that of December. 1917, the
hourly rate OF pay for maintenance
of way employees under the present
decision will be 69.4 per cent apove
the hourly rates OF December, 1917,
and the purchasing power OF lne
wages affected by the present decl-
sion will be 44.5 more than the pur-
chasing power of their wages in 1871.
Among other wages slashed were
those of mechanics in the malnte- :
nance OF way. except those under
those under the shop crafts agree
ment, who were cut four. cents pei
hour. Mechanics helpers in these
same departments, except those un-
der the shop crafts agreement, were
cut one per cent per hour. IL was
emphasized. however, that all OF
these were minimum rates and Woulo
not apply in uniform manner
throughout the country but would DC
| affected by local conditions.
Labor men, while they We're re,
luctant to be quoted until they had
fun time to study the decision
eointed out that while II appiied to
| the largest class of railroad employees
tba total of the maintenance men be-
ing more than 20 per cent OF the
whole. the amount of wages paid to
| this group, which usually ranks as
..unskilled" labor" was smaller IN
the total than that paid any OF the
| other great groups whose wages are
| also TO be passed upon by the board
Wipes Out 1920 Increase
II todays decision, it was said, were
applied to all employees. the genera
level of railroad wages would have
| declined to the level in effect before
/ the $500, 600. 900 increase granted by
the board in 1920. OF this increase
| $500. 00o, 900 was wiped out by las'
I years decision which was followed by
a strike crisis, a walkout beine
averted only after long negotiations