Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-03-27
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WAGE EA|B0VE'PROF|||T
Holds Salaries Must Remain
Constant, Regardless of lntsr-
sst TO etockholdsrs
FIGHTS pRoposEp PAY CUT

BY tho Associates frese a
ChicaSU. March q. Characterisins
the present principles Of wage adjust.
ment ~ unjust, b. NJ. Jewell, president
Of the Railway Employer Department
Of the American Federation OF Labor,
told the Railroad Labor Board today
that costs and wagec should remain con-
and that until that economic bisis was
accepted conflict between capital and
labor would continue. h.
M. Jewell opened his fight against
general wage reductions sought ~ 10
railroads before the board today He
treated az irrelevant oil carriers ergu.
merts Of lower living costs and lower
wages in other industries asserted the
so.called law Of supply and demand WIN
never afford Z living wage. In system
organised according to modern bushes
principles"; and declared for 2 nvine
wage Tor all productive workers Of ns
country. n
Wass Esrnsrs' Guarantee Urged
Interest and profits must not con-
tinue while the workingman suffers low
wages and unemployment. Mr.. Jewell
asserted in presenting his theory OF the
living wage. A guarantee OF steady
earning power to the wage Garner, even
at the expense Of immediate profits. ne
added, would 60 far toward eliminate
ing these recurSent periods OF depres'
sion."
I'VE have come here to challenge the
Justice Of the wage rates OF all pro-
ductive labor, to challenge the very
principle upon which the railroads pro;
SSsi sSsid Mr. sr. jewell. we'll I'VE propose to show
how the entire purpose for which in
dustry 10 operated can and must be
"TSe existing wage scale is insufa
Client to enable the adult to maintain ar
ascertainable minimum OF decent liv-
1.-THE railroads are saying to theil
living wage while we say that the
railroads must pay at least that.
"Out Of the annual yield Of any. in.
dustry," Jewell continued. three
things are. being paid, costs (includini
supplies, depreciation, extensions. tax
alton, etc), wages and profits. Two
Of these, we say, ought to be constant
costs (reduced to an economical fgure)
and wages at a level which will allow
full human life, inclusive Of art. liter
ature, music. recreation and sociabil'
ity such as are enjoyed BY the I've Teil 1r; t9
4ulB IC0VCO YGVAto - ShC cSAS .oA.
able factor and frankly contemplates
situation in which temporarily the,
may have to cease. Until that situa
ton has been accepted the conflict be-
tween capital and labor will. continue
i Opposes Boaz6s Decision
Mr.. Jewell also presented his rebut
tai for the employees against the answe
Of the railroads last week to the uniol
charges that the roads IN seeking was
. reductions had not held proper con
ferences, with the men a. required b.
/ the, transportation Act.
. The board ruled last week agains
, the employer request that the wage re
ductions petition be thrown "out Q
court" on the basis Of the charges. an
! today Mr.. Jewell asked the board t
, make q public statement Of its reason
g for 90 ruling. Chairman n. NJ. Bar
: ! ton remarked that he did not think
! within the jurisdiction Of Mr.. Jewe
:. to quis the board, and indicated that ;
. saw no reason why the board shoul
: !: Issue any statement.