The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-24
RAILROADS NOT
 RETURNED TO
 OWNERS IN 1920

Spokane, Wash, July 24-Many persons suppose that the railroads
 managers in 1920, but "this is the
 only one of the half-truths that will NOT bear investigation,'' declared l Charles Dillon, assistant to the chair | lie relations of the Association of Railway Executives, in an address before the Chamber of Commerce here today.
 MT. Dillon also asserted that "noth- ing could be further from the truth than the impression that the railways
 ''a~e trying to break dowsl the unions, and that they are eager to reduce the mems wages
 '"The truth is we have about all the government in railroads right now that the business will stand. It | is the government which says what the rates are to be and how much the
 roads may be permitted to earn if they can do it: it is the government | which controls wages and it controls | the conditions under which the men shall work. All the reports are made
 and the book-keep!ng of the railroads Is done according to the rules of the
 United States, government through
 the Interstate Commerce Commission
 and upon forms prescribed by that
 item of management not directly un-
 der the scrutiny of the government at
 Washington or Chicago.
 Facing New Ortler. we are now facing an entirely
 new order new labor condition
 When the United States Railroad La . Dor Board made the largest advance in wages every recorded, amounting,
 indeed, to more than S720,000,0OO a
 year, the railroads accepted the de- cision without resistance. The men at that time did NOT question the I Jurisdiction of the board in making this enormous advance.
 'The railroads promised, last Oc- tober, to pass on to the public in re- l GnC6d rates savings in n l | expenses resulting from wage cuts. Rates have been reduced since last l January $4O0.OcO,OOO - $265, 900, 900, 3 approximately, more than wages have s been cut, based on the earnings in e 1921, or s500,0O0.0OO if we compare ' with 1920.
 I wSliCekreo
 l "If total earnings do not increase
 very materially, the rate reductions and the recent wage cuts will allow
 the railroads about 3 F per cent. on
 their valuation. There is a difference
 of about $443,000, 900 between this . 3 F per cent. and the 5A per cent which the Interstate Commerce Com E. mission says the roads may earn.
 '1f the net return from your bust
 ness were reduced as the net return [ of the roads has beeTyo probably ! | would close it out.
 U Your business will prosper largely according to the volume the roads car
 handle promptly. The whole present
 controversy, therefore, becomes a.
 much your concern as it is the con, s cern of the railroads, because unles . investors are assured a reasonable > reward new capital will not be avail = able-and without this it will not b. Is possible to provide adequate facili II ties.
 'The tie that binds this people to II gether in national unity is the rail o road tie and if it isn't kept in goo, =. repair the neglect can easily creat -e national calamity for which ever, man and every family will have t
 pay"
 ,- The public. the speaker said vii n be benefited by the recent rate reduc V, tions only as these reductions, in part h are reflected in lower prices instea Q of in increased profits.