The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-30
WAGE BOOST
 IS GRANTED BALL MEN.
Labor Board Gives Fire
 men, Enginemen 5 Per Cent Increase
AS RAILROADS :.
 ARE AFFECTED
Operating Rules Are Modified In Decision Of
 Board
tBy Associated Press)

CHICAGO, Nov. 29.-With- out having heard arguments in behalf of the workers, the railroad labor board tonight handed down a decision grant ing upwards of 75,000 mem- bers of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Locomotive Bremen and En- ginemen wage increases of about 5 per cent, the increase representing about the scale agreed to between the New York Central railroad and it's engine service employees. (.
 About 45 western railroads are af- fected by the decision. The union rep resentatives had refused to appear be- fore the board to present evidence, maintaining that the body was without jurisdiction, and their appeal from a ficers to appear before the board Is to
  preme court, attorneys announced.
 Rules Involved r
 The dispute involved wage, increases and certain operating rules of the ern- pioyes seeking the increases with the companies asking for modification in rules. & %
 The rates for pay for engineers in passenger service were increased from $6.16 day to $7.18 day, according to, the type of engines for firemen from $4.58 to $b.76 and for helpers, electric, from $4.56 to $4.S8. A mini- mum of $7 for engineers and $5.25 fot firemen was granted where earnings are based on mileage, overtime, or other rules.
 For freight service the price range for engineers is from $6.84 a day to $8.76 according to the type of engine, while for firemen the rates run from $5 to $6.51 and for helpers from $5 to $5.16 while in the yard service the price range for engineers is from $6.72 to $S.O4, for firemen from $5.28 to $6.44 and for helpers from $5.2S to $5.44. Outside hostlers are given $5.92 a day, inside hostlers $5.28 and helpers $4.72.
 For similar employees in freight serv- ice the decision read flor local or way freight service, except where higher differentials exist, fifty cents per 100 miles or less for engineers, and forty (4O) cents per 100 miles or less for firemen, shall be added to the through freight rates according to class of en- zines, miles over 100 to be paid for proata." Engineers and firemen in yard service also were awarded in- creases, as were hostlers and their helpers.
 New Device Cited
 As all wages for engineers and fire man are. graduated on the basis of the weight on the drivers, employees con- tended that 'boosterS," a device used on some roads to increase the traction power of locomotives, should be 'includ- ed in figuring the weight on drivers and this the board agreed to, saying: "It is understood that the weight on trailers will be added to the weight on drivers of locomotives that are equipped with boosters, and the weights produced by such increased weight shall fix the rates for the respective classes of service"
 Some of the operating rules were mod flied by the boards decision and others were remanded to the various railroads for adjustment in negotiation with their employees.
 December 15, 1924 is set for the last date for the carriers to notify repre- sentatives of the organizations that they desire to accept or reject the prOvis- ions of the decision and the employees may answer not later than January 1, 1925. A disagreement between the par ties is to be handled ''in accordance with the provisions of the transporta- ton act of 192O."