The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1922-07-11
MILLIONS CUT FROM
WAGE OF RAIL WORKERS
TWO REDUCTIONS HAVE BEEN
MADE SINCE THE PEAK OF
HIGH PAY IN 1920.
BIG FOUR NOT TOUCHED

Engineers, Firemen, Conductors and
Trainmen Escape Latest Labor
Board Reduction, and Telegraphers
Are Just Waiting.
The strike of railroad workers, which
went into effect July 1st, has inter
ferred but little, if any, with the trans
portation service of the country.
Passenger trains are making their
usual schedules, and freight is being
moved without unusual delay.
Wage slashes totaling $135, 100000
annually went into effect on the rail-
roads of the country July LIST. There
are approximately 1,425,00O railway
workers in the entire transportation
service at present, but probably not
more than 100000 of these have felt
the cut in their pay.
Three decisions of the United States
Railroad Labor Board during the last
month and a half form the basis for
the wage reductions. Several classes
of employees, notably the big four"
brotherhoods-th engineers, firemen,
conductors and trainmen-are not in
cluded in the reductions, and no de-
cision has yet been issued for one 9th
er group-the telegraphers- the
train dispatchers have suffered no re-
duction whatever.
Talk of strike action has followed
the announced wage cut, and there
may be sporadic walkouts of union or
CARNATIONS here and there, but moth
ing like a general strike is anticipated.
Virtually the only source OF trouble is
the 100000 railway shopmen of the
country, who voted to walk out.
Last Year More Sweeping.
The railway employees were not hit
as hard this year as when the board
cut the wages of all workers last year
total of $350,000,000. The cuts rang
ed from one to nine cents an hour for
various classes of workers, while GER
tain groups of semi-official and super
visory employees escaped the pruning
knife entirely.
The yard masters and assistants,
train dispatchers, engineers and fire
men, conductors and trainmen, and
telegraphers are not touched by the
reductions which went into effect July
1st The maintenance of way men,
who formerly received from 28 to Az
cents an hour, were cut five cents,
making the new range from % to IS
cents, the rates varying in different
parts of the country according to To-
cal labor conditions.
The clerks were cut three cents an
hour in the case of those who have
had two years or more experience,
and four cents an hour for others, with
minimum starting salary of 500 a
month for beginners. After six months
of service a minimum of $40 was set,
and after a year rates are set accord
ing to ability, position and seniority.
Freight Carmen Cut Most.
Shop mechanics receive, under the
boards new order, minimum of 20
cents an hour, reduction of seven
cents. Due to higher ratings and Sc
niority many employees receive
slightly higher rate. Helpers receive a
new minimum rate of 81 cents, being
reduced seven cents also. Freight car
men received the biggest cut of any
class, nine cents, cutting their hourly
rate to 63 cents.
Signa1men, who received cut of
five cents, will hereafter receive "a
cents an hour, and stationary engi-
neers and fremen, who were reduced
two cents an hour, will get 40 cents.