Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-06-24
STATE
CAPITAL

Full Crew Decision.

Baltimore
Divergent opinions as TO the ulti-
mate results OF the decision OF the
Public Service Commission delegating
10 railroads in the State power TO de-
termine the size Of their train crews.
pursuant 10 the repeal Of the Full
Crew Law. were expressed by railroad
officials and Henry F. Broening. presi-
dent OF the Federation OF Labor.
officials Of the various railroads are
highly gratihed. as was expected. by
the action OF the Utilities Board. which
gives them full control OF their freight
train crews. while the labor head.
representing the organization which
formed the most pronounced opposition
10 the repeal of the full-crew measure.
declared that the decision Of the Com
mission means fiat repeal OF the law.
which was thought 10 have been only
modified by placing II under the dis
erection of the Commission.
We are not much disappointed be-
cause of the announcement OF the
hands-off policy OF the Public Service
Commission" declared Mr.. BrOening.
1T is abou, what we expected. The
rider on the Full-Crew Repeal Bill. xiv.
ing the Commission control Of the
trainmen. was from the first thought
by labor men to be only weak apol-
ogy for the outright repeal OF the meas.
ure. for we anticipated little consid-
ar1
The immediate effect of the decision
will be felt by at least one-third Of the
trainmen in the State. Instead OF the
six men formerly required on freight
train. the railroads will now employ
five. and in many cases il is probable
that the number will be cut TO three.
In fact. the railroads have already an
nounced their intention TO drop one
man from each train. This. however
was TO be expected But We believe il
TO be only matter OF time when more
will be dropped.
so far as the labor men are con-
cerned. the fight TO retain the full-crew
measure. in effect II not as an actual
statute. is over. We can do nothing
10 prevent the railroads from cutting
their crews on large scale. We fought
in the Legislature for the rights and
the safety OF the train-workers and
were defeated.
ut is now up TO the Public Service
Commission and the railroads TO pro-
iect the trains and the lives Of the
workers The Commission has not had
time 10 adequately investigate working
conditions on trains with the view 10
determining the number of men needed
for safety. The railroads are influ-
enced by reasons Of economy. So until
a few train accidents demonstrate the
need OF full-crew enforcement We
hardly expect either the railroads or
the Utilities Board TO reconsider their
action"
Maxwell c. Byers. president Of the
Western Maryland Railway. stated that
the management Of that road will
make thorough study Of the freigh;
situation before making any definite
statement as 10 what policy would be
adopted under the Commissions de.
cision. The investigation will require
= good deal of time. he said, and no
action will be taken in the near future.
d. X. Brent. general attorney of the
Baltimore and Ohio. declared that the
effect of the decision would hardly
throw many men out OF work. The
railroads will endcavor 10 provide other
employment for those removed from
their regular runs. he pointed out
and the remainder, he said. would be
placed on a reserve list and be placed
on trains as business increased.