The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1924-06-20

tants. special experts. clerks anc
other employees as it may from time
TO time find necessary" These board:
are to afford the means OF mediation
between companies and employees
and of arbitration. if agreed upon, but
the principal purpose. apparently IS
getting rid OF the present board and
the public representation thereon.
Neither system provides for any
thing but Cancellation and voluntary
arbitration. but the present board
possesses the one distinctive merit
that a part OF its membership IS
+ charged with the duty of consider
ing the issues brought before the
board from the standpoint OF the
public. Railroad charges are subject
to regulation by the interstate COM
! merce commission, all members OF
which represent the public, and the
charges are necessarily dependent
upon the cost If operating the roads,
the principal item in which is wages.
The remarkable thing about this
proposal. which unquestionably is in
tended to strengthen the position OF
the railway employees in all negotia-
tons is that it has the active support
of the farm bloc" as we'll as all the
strength that organized labor can
muster. 1t is placed in the forefront
OF the reform" measures now being
pressed upon congress.
Surely the principle that the pub
lie is entitled to representation in the
determination OF railroad wages along
with the employing companies and
employees. is sound and should not
be abandoned. Railroad charges are
paid. and must be paid, ultimately by
the public. and the direct wage
payments Of the companies take ap
proximately one-half OF their gross
receipts. 1t hardly can be contended
that it would be sound policy to have
the railroad employees fix their own
pay, or that the defence of the pub
lie against unduly high wage expendi-
lures should rest entirely with the rail-
road companies. They are anxious
for peace with their employees. and 1
may be overready to grant demands
which they can pass on to the pub
lie This is the more likely to be so
With the strong companies. viii are
now Obliged under the Esch- Cummins
law to divide their net earnings above
s per cent with the public
1t is a strange situation when SEN
ators and Represeazgors claiming
to represent the farmers
are all actively cooperating in the
Effort to eliminate the public repre-
'entation. although complaining of
freight charges at the same time.
Their action is in line with that OF
/ recent convention of the Farmer
abor party in Idaho, which passed
esolutions calling for reduction of
reight rates, but specifying that it
'e brought about without any wage
eductions. Such 4 declaration is
violence OF friendly feelings toward
he wage-earners but of mistaken ideas :
bout railroad earnings AM expenses. :
The Exchange of Services 4
In the midst of all the complaints i
nd demands arising from different
roups, the fundamental fact is that
icy are all exchanging services and
lat their pay in the end depends
pom how their services are valued
} each other. The railroad employees |
J class are highly deserving: GER J
inly there is much to be said in :.
lpport OF the plea that the locomo-
We engineer or fireman should have
much pay as a plasterer. but the
iesiion OF relative pay goes farther
an that 1t is impossible to con-
der the pay OF railroad employees
solely a question of good will
ward them. 1t is necessary to con
Ter the effect OF railroad wages
ION the people who ultimately pay =
EN-, and who are also deserving of i
nsideration. 1t would be desirable
have the pay of all wage-earners
sed, il it meant that they would