Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-05-29
RAILROAD LABOR, BANKS, ETC.

Banks established by a railroad
labor organization may not suggest
ideas alike to all Of US. It should
be gratifying to all right thinking
people to see well merited endeavor
succeed. Railroad labor 10 notable
for its high standing. We doubt II.
having the power which It has, 1t
has arrogated to itself more, even
in tho Adamson act. than would
other people with like power. This
does not prove. however, that rail-
road labor in all Its exactions has
been even eniightenediy selfish. But
that aside, the fact that the labor
union 10 in the banking business
& may suggest to some that this isn't
the only trust" in the banking
business.
Then there Is another idea. An
old French proverb Is: ITO know all
Is to forgive ALL" In the past II Is
possible the labor union has enter
tained disrespectful notions about
bankers. Considering the mess 1t
generally IL conceded that banking
made of railroading such a notion
would not have been altogether
baseiess. We hope the railroad
labor banks will not attempt to run
the railroads In the interests Of the
banks. II railroad labor may carry
through its present project to compel
the United States Government to
take over the railroads and run
them for the benefit Of the employees
the latter will not have to resort
to their banks for Swimming the
cream.
A bit Of curiosity may be excited
to learn whether railroad hours
and regulations are to obtain in rail-
road labor's banks. viii the as
sistant cashier be permitted to do
any Of the cashiers work. or vice
versa? How many helpers will be
allotted to each. regardless of the
amount to be done? Will those Nho
stay after the closing Of the bank to
balance the accounts be paid double
for overtime. and SO on? One
thing is pretty sure, the labor union
banks will not be hampered by as
silly regulations as labor has tried
to impose on the railroads-not II
the banks remain long in business
In competition with others.
Possibly the railroad labor unions
ha 70 lin
suggestions on running their banks
from what Henry Ford is doing in
the way Of running his railroad. or
course his methods are anathema to
the labor union For one thing he
pays more wages than are paid I'M
der the union government wage
scale and he doesn't look to the
help to run the road for him: he
runs It. He has taken that Job
from labor's shoulders but he secs
that the employees are kept busy at
work to which he assigns them, and
up to date we have learned Of none
succumbing to overwork. Also ap-
parently he has no trouble in getting
men. although with 400 less In num-
Der OF employees there are being
handled two and half million more
tons Of freight and the railroad is
proving profitable. Some will say:
., well, he 10 n better manager than
most railroads can have: the road
hauls Ford's freight. and all that
Even so We get no comparison.
Other railroad managers are not
permitted to manage, even II able to
do 30. Indeed, under present con-
ditions, 1t must be extremely diff
iicult to determine whether rail-
road has or has not good manager.
&hsre being 30 little opportunity for
him to demonstrate. And the only
remedy suggested by organized labor.
LAFolietts. McAdoo. eject. 10 gov
srrmsnt ownership with union labor
holding the reins and not the in
vsstments.