Norwich bulletin., 1922-06-30

that somebody criticises the action of the board, does not ever. raise a pre- sumption that a mistake has been made. In these strenuously contested disputes before this board. somebody is always dissatisfied with the results.
 The able men representing the em- ployes put their whole souls into their contentious and the questions they han dle are of momentous human import They are doubtless often harassed by the apprehension, as are all public ser vants that their constituents may not fully understand and appreciate their efforts.
 Tt is quite natural that they should take deeply to heart even a partial fail- ure to attain the full measure of bene- fits which they seek for those they so Loyalty represent.
 But it is evident to every student of the situation that the railway labor organizations have no just cause for seN rious complaint at the treatment they have received at the hands of the federal wage tribunals during the war Ieriod and since.
 Talks of Wages.
 ''The wages fixed by the recent decis- ions of this board will purchase more than the wages received by them prior to the war In other words, their wages have increased by a greater percent age than has the cost of living. In some instances the increase is strikingly nota- ble.
 with but slight exceptions, the great carriers of the country have paid the wages fixed by the government tribu- nals. Now that the decreases have come, the employees should be good sports and accept the reductions.
 If a change in conditions should at any time justify increased wages, this board will most cheerfuliy respond to the situation Moreover, if it should at any time be made to appear to the board that any injustice has been done to any class of employees yany rule or wage decision, under a continuation of the present conditions 1t would be the duty of the board to correct such mistakes !
 Let f be understood, however, that the board is convinced at this time that it has made no mistake and committed no injustice of any noteworthy magnl- tude. In it's decisions on rules and wages The board has endeavored to conform to | the requirements of the law and has i established schedule of wages higher than those prevailing, as rule, in oth- CT industries.
 i ''The employees do have one substan- 1 tial grievance against certain of the car | FlerS, ana Indd IS the GOHlI Ol l eH- 1 way employment to so-called independ- l, ent contractors. This is not simply a ! labor grievance. it is public grievance. 1 This policy carried to it's legitimate end, i destroys the labor articles of the trans portation act. treats the United States congress with contempt. deprives the public of lawful protection from rail- ' way labor troubles and grieviously im- poses upon the employees.
 Tt is highly gratifying. however. that several of the carriers have withdrawn from the contract policy this week and 1t is hoped that the others will follow
 Let both the carriers and the em- ployes deal fairly with each other, and | both can come before the court of pub | lie opinion with clean hands.
 'Neither need have any fear that the public will permit injustice to be done them by the railroad labor board. If the board does not effectuate a substantial degree of justice both to the carriers and the employees, 1t will be wiped out by con gross.
 First. and most important of all neither the roads nor the men should ever overlook the fact that the interests of the people at large in the country and cities must be considered in the solu- ton of all railway problems"