The New York herald., 1922-06-21
WARNS rail HEADS
OF PERIL OF STRIKE
Chairman Hooper Of Labor
Board Tells Leaders 1t
Means Disaster.
HE PREDICTS FAILURE
Says Organizations and
Their Members Will Suf-
fer From Walkout.
UPHOLDs CUTS IN WAGES
Denounces Distortions in
UPHOLDs CUTS IN WAGES
Denounces Distortions in
Letter From Labor Men
Attacking Decision.

tnelr mem DerSnlp was predlcted TO
follow the threatened walkout, on
which a strike vote is now being taken
by nine railroad labor organizations
in letter from Ben w. Hooper,
chairman of the Railroad Labor Board,
to the union leaders to-day.
Answering letter from the union
chiefs, which declared the executives
would authorize a strike If the en-
ployees demanded it, Chairman Hooper
made categorical reply to the fierce
assaults" on the board, for which, he
declared, there was no ground.
with the degree of friendly in
terest that ! feel in these organiza-
tons, and with the recognition l ac-
: cord to their great service to the
membership. am hopeful that they
will not adopt a course that will
surely prove disastrous to the organi-
cations and unfortunate to the men
composing them,' wrote Mr.. Hooper.
Better Era I'm Sight.
ut is rcgrettable that such a step is
contemplated at time when the coun-
try is just entering upon an era Of more
stable industrial conditions and that
gives promise of an enlarged degree
of prosperity to railway employees"
Although Chairman Hooper said in
the letter. which was addressed to B. NJ
Jewell, president of the railway en-
ployees department of the American
Federation of Labor that he felt no
reply was required to the unions strike
avowal, he expressed "A Willingness to
go beyond the strict limits Of my official
authority in the interest of railway
peace" He said he felt it his duty to
reply because the threatened strike CON
tains such possibilities of loss and detri-
nent'' to the strikers.
The chairman added that a strike
vote should not be taken on any mis-
understanding of the action or attitude
Of tho board, but declared the union
chiefs letter manifested "a strikingly
distorted conception Of what the board
has done and why it did It,"
Your statement that the boards last
decision states openly that pressure OF
circumstances was such that the board
was unable to determine just any rea-
sonable wages, is not correct the letter
said The decision contains no such
statement and none that can be fairly
sc construed.
"Your statement chat this board says
that the establishment Of just wages for
railway workers must await the COM
nete satisfaction Of ownership In the
matter of rehabilitation and profits is
pn inexcusable perversion OF both the
language and meaning of what the board
I'm fact said. A strike of railway en-
ployees. involving their wages. their en-
ployment and their welfare. based upon
such misleading statements OF TINS
bofrd's sentiments and declarations
would be unjust to the men and TO the
public
"The statement In the boards decis-
ion that labor cannot be completely
freed from the economic laws which
likewise affect the earnings OF capital.
IS so obviously sound that 1t Will not
he questioned anywhere this side of the
Kingdom OF the Bolsheviki. And yet
.Nou mention this as an occasion Tor
offense.
Your statement that the board failed
to take into consideration the principle
that even the lowest paid railway en-
ployees, such as sectonmcn and labor
crs. should receive at least living
Xage.' is utterly base!ess."
Common Labor wage.
Mr.. Hooper then attacked ''the contin-
ual isolation and accentuation'' of the
minimum % cent rate for common la
bor which he declared was made mis-
leading by the union men. He pointed
ont that sectionmen will receive rate
of from 20 to 35 cents an hour. the
majority consideration higher than the
minimum. as shown by the average rate
Of 1921 cents. as compiled by the board.
Surely the leaders of the railway la
Dor organizations cannot expect to win
the approval Of the people OF the United
States by a rigid unyielding resistance
to the inevitable process of readjustment
which has been in progress for the past
year" the letter said.
THE fact cannot be overlooked that
the policy OF the leaders of the en-
ployees seems to be to accept no re-
duction. however slight"
A strike of the railroad employees
against wage reductions would fail for
lack of public sympathy r. J. Pearson.
president OF the New York, New Haven
& Hartford Railroad. declared In letter
addressed to it's 10000 employees.
Outlining the severe readjustment
from which business is emerging. Mr..
Pearson asserts that in the case of the
New Haven Railroad the wage cuts to
become effective on July ] will offset
only one-haif Of the $4,000. 900 loss n,
annual revenues, which Is expected ia
result from the 10 per cent cut In
freight rates which goes In force on the
same date.
THE public shows no disposition to be
unreasonable. either with respect to
wages or working conditions of railroad
employees or as to the revenues of/the
railroads themselves said Mr.. Pearson.
ut appreciates now. more than ever,
that transportation is indispensable, and
that transportation at lowest cost con,
slstent with efficiency can only be had
when sufficient funds are provided to
permit Of the necessary expansion and
development of facilities and payment
of such wages as will attract and keen
IN the railroad service men OF character
and ability.
This company seeks, in every way
10 avoid disputes with its employees.
II believes that in the interest of itself
and Of society in general, its employees
should be well paid; but It also believes
ard knows that neither employer nor
employee--be they on the farm, In the
industry. or on the railroad--can hope
10 escape the inexorable effect Of eco
pomic law"
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