Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-03-28
Punitive Overtime ~
Was It Forced Upon
The Railroads ?

Representatives Of railroads, tcs-
| tifying before the Senate Committee
on Interstate Commerce, the Inter
state Commerce Commission and the
United States Railroad Labor Board,
have stated that punitive overtime
was forced upon the railroads during
Federal control.
John G.. Walbcr, Secretary of the
Bureau of Information of the Eastern
Railroads, put forward by the Assoc
iation Of Railroad Executives to testi-
fly as to the operation and results of
the laro policy of the
Railroad Administration had imposed
great and unnecessary burdens upon
the railroads, particularly the Penn
sylvania and the Philadelphia and
Reading.
On page 537 of the Senate Hearings
he is quoted as having stated that
punitive overtime rates were estab-
lished on these roads against the
wishes of their officials. /:
The facts, as they developed by
William Gibbs McAdoo, former di-
rector general of railroads during the
Senate Committee on Interstate Com
sion February 2, .1922)' directly con-
tradict this statement. They are:
(D When the railroads were TAX
en- over by the government great
majority Of the first-class railroads
were making punitive overtime pay
ments to their employees.
(2) The Railroad Administration,
I
sion, made an extended investigation
of punitive overtime, to determine the
ACCESSIBILITY of extending it to all
carriers under Federal control.
CD While this investigation was
being made, President Rea, of the
PENNSYLVANIA Railroad, earnestly urg-
ed the Railroad Administration to cs-
tablish punitive overtime on that sys-
tenn
(i) President Rae urged in sup
port Of his demand for the Establish
ment o. punitive overtime that it was
in force on practically all railroads
in the great Eastern region with the
Reading and his own road.
(5) That before the investigation
was completed, and without authori-
ty from the Railroad Administration
(Which had refused Mr.. Rca's re-
quest) Regional Director A. Fl. Smith
President of the New York Contra!
and one Of the chief spokesman for the
railroad interests), gave permission
to Mr.. Rae to establish punitive over
time on the Pennsylvania railroad. +
Mr.. McAdoo replying directly to
Mr.Wa!ber's testimony preferred to
above). said:
Sir. Walbcr failed to tell the Com
mittce that time and half for over
time was granted by Regional Direc-
tor SMITH president of the New
York Central before and since the ter
mination of Federal controN, without
authority from the Railroad Admin
istration, at the request of president
Rca and upon the recommendation Of
Mr.. W&lbcr himself"
Mr.. McAdoo presented to the
| Committee correspondence bearing
upon this subject.
On Iarch rs, 1918. Mr.. Rea wrote
to Regional Director Smith:
" Z tiIuCl SLdIII llidl Inc
Railroad Of New Jersey has recently
adopted time and one-half time for
overtime in their shops on account of
a recent arbitration award, so that
in this immediate territory it would
appear that the Philadelphia and
Reading and ourselves arc about the
only roads which do not pay the adj
ditional rate for overtime in shops.
This being General Condition, and
| in the nature Of wage agreement,
! before conceding their request, we
bring it TO your attention for your adj
vice. which we would be very glad to
receive"
On April S. 1918, Regional Director
! Smith replied to Mr.. McRea as fol-