The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-06
FURTHER CUTS
IN OTHER LINES
ARE EXPECTED
Minority on Board Assert
Cuts We're Made with
No Consideration of HUI
man Needs" and Charges
That Board Failed To
Carry Out Function to
Secure Fair Wage

Chlcdgo, June tby the Assocldte'
Press Over the strong protest o
the three labor representatives on th'
United States railroad labor board, /
new wage cut Of seven cents an aoul
for railway shop mechanics and nin'
cents for freight car men, cutting 400,
900 shop men approximately 100000,
900 year, was ordered BY the board
to-day
The new wage reduction became an
estimated additional saving of $4,000
347 annually to the railroads, follow
ing on the heels OF s500o0.000 cut
in the wages of maintenance of way
laborers last week. The -hop crafts
becomes effective July |, the same date
as last weeks order.
The minority report Of the labor
members pointedly stated that the ma
jority decision was made with no con
sideration Of human needs" and
charges that it fails to carry out the
function Of the board to set Just
and reasonable" wage.
''The tendency of this decision is TO
vindicate the propaganda Of the rail
roads and consequently condemn sucn
statements as the employees have been
able to bring to public attention. the
minority opinion said II was signed
by Albert o. Wharton. w. l.. Nc
Menimen and Albert Phillips, the la
Dor representatives.
Supervisory forces Of the railway
shops were not decreased. After due
consideration, the decision said, it was
felt that the duties and responsibilities
of such forces warranted maintenance
of the present rates.
The reduction for the. mechanics av
eraged a little more than eight per
cent, all machinists, boiler makers,
blscksmiths, sheet metal workers, cleo
trical workers, carmen Except freight
Garment, moulders, cupola tenders and
core makers, and the regular and help
ef apprentices receiving cut of seven
cents an hour. Freight carmen, com
monty known as "car Knockers" and
the object Of some of the heaviest as
saults by the roads in their battle for
lower wages, were cut nine cents.
The larger cut was ordered for the
car knockers" because the board said
il believed that their work did not re-
qiire the same skilled service as other
branches OF car mems work.
Car cleaners, who now receive an
average of S3.ls day, were cut five
cents an hour. or forty cents day
The mechanics. whose daily rate now
averages from s6.ll for electrical work |
ers to s6.2s for blacksmiths, will lose
SO cents q day under the new decision, |
bringing their daily wage to approxi-
mately $50.
The boards latest decision. which is 1
TO be followed shortly by reductions
for railway clerks, telegrsphers and all /
other classes Of railway employees ex-
cept the train service men. was brief /
and offered no explanation of how the
new rates we're arrived at.
Suggestion for "some recognized /
standard TO he worked out by the !
board and used a. basis for future
wage adjustments was contained in
the minority report, which was several
times longer than the majority deci-
sion. The labor members felt. they
said, that the board should initiate a
study which, shall determine the
amount necessary 10 meet some rccog
nized standard and that IL must use
it's results as a basis for its decisions
and that II must, through those de-
cisions. transmit this information to
the publir.-
The decision, the minority report
continued. tended Ito substantiate the
position Of the railroads that wages
need not be established with reference
10 the needs Of the family contend
ing that a minimum wage for the snop
crafts should be 50 cents an hoar.
which would mean . rate Of - cents
for skilled mechanics.
eThe savings TO the railroads far ex.
ueed anything justified by the savings
to the public in reduced rates. the dis
scnters said. adding that payroll
.isshes during the last six months Of
1927 had been made. including lay-ofTs.
n the annual rate Of 81 800. 100000.
in strong contrast % the increasing
prosperity Of the roads
The msiority failed 90 carry ont ,
,hr function for which the board
sss created continncd the minority .
report
-S1ch DECISIONS giving 10 explana- f,
81. Il -