The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1922-05-31
100000 RAIL MEN HAVE
PAY CUT ;4s.o00.000
labor Board Ruling Takes Effect
July 1; Three Union Mem.
bers Dissent.

sxs ooo 900 was slashed from the
wages of 100000 railway employees
in a decision by the United states
Railroad Labbr. Board tonight.
The decreases, which averaged
cents per hour in the majority Oh
cases. followed cuts 0: S4cc.OoO,oeo
made last July by the board. 10
DAYS decision, however, affect most
lv maintenance of way workers. al
though decisions are pending affect-
ing other classifications.
II the wage cuts made in the
latest decision are extended to other
decisions expected soon, 1t was
pointed out in railway circles mucn
Of the $500, 900 900 increase given
by the board in 1920, will be wiped
out and wages restored to Level
which railway officials have toid
the board will lead to new era Oh
development and open the way TO
the employment of 100000 men.
Three Labor Members Dissent
The decision was signed by the
the board will lead to a new era Oh
three railway members of the board
and three members representing the
public. A dissenting opinion was
filed by the three members represent
ing the labor group. The majority
opinion said that the wage cuts, ell
fective on July 1, were made III ac-
cordance with decreases in the cost
of living. The minority opinion
contended that the wage scale pro-
vided in the decision was insufficient
to sustain life on the basis OF Amer
ican standards.
The boards decision followed tine
hearings held on the request OF the
railroads for wage reductions ana
the coun or request of several
classes of employees for increases iu
nay. These hearings began In Chi-
cago March 6 and ended April ~.
All except three or four OF the
larger railway systems OF the couh'
try were affected by the hearing
which included all classes OF en-
ployes except those in train yaro
and engine service who were then
conducting negotiations with the
railroads which had not terminated
when the hearings began.
REQUEST for Early Decision
In announcing a separate decision
for maintenance of way employees II
advance of its decision as to the
other classes, the board compiled
with a request made by the United
brotherhood of Maintenance o.
way Employees and Railroad snoi
Laborers, which asked that its cast
be given precedence and decided al
speedily as possible.
The classes not embraced In th'
decision number from 80 to s5 pei
cent of the total OF railway EN-
ployes.
In the decision the board called
attention to the fact that the pres
ent adjustment was based 'on previ
GUS wage adjustments. the first o
which, ON July 20, 1920. increased
the wages OF all classes OF employe'
approximately $600.O00.000 year
and the second. the decision of Jul!
/. 1921, which slashed about $500.
100000 from the wages Of some e.
100000 employees in all parts OF tn
country.
All of the former diferential
we're continued in the present deci
sion. IL being stated that the wage
of this class Of employees have no
been standardized and uniform
throughout the country. and will
not be made as under the decision.
The wages OF track laborers a
present rates range from twenty
eight to forty cents an hour. Uun
der the decision they will rage fror
twenty-three to thirty-hve cents al
hour.
The decision asserted that unde
the new scale common labor on tn
roads will still be receiving . rat
higher than that paid similar iabo
In most other industries. On thi
point the decision said: i 4
"The board Is Of the opinion tina
after reduction made under this d
cision, common labor on the road
viii still be receiving, a. q rule,
wage In excess Of that paid to sim
lar labor In other industries. an
that the same viii be true Of q
other classes OF labor covered b
this decision.