Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-04
LABOR 10 FIGHT
RAILWAY MERGER
Ruinous Pay Cut and Havoc
With "Seniority" Rule
Are Feared.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

bI EhEDERIC WILLIAM VILE
Railroad labor is mobilizing to fight
the great consolidation of Eastern
transportation systems. Brotherhood
leaders contend that the workers were
not consulted in the formulation OF
the Pennsylvania Baltimore & Ohio
New York Central-Van Sweringen plan,
that it does not properly safeguard rail
workers interests, and that it will be
unacceptable until adequate protection
Is guaranteed The fight will be car
ried to the floors of Congress 1t is
likely to intrude itself into House and
Senate discussions almost Immediately.
The burning question of a special SEES
sion may be decisively affected by the
opposition which spokesman of railroad
labor are preparing to offer.
The main objective is the passage OF
the Couzens resolution, providing, in
effect, for the holding up of all rail-
road consultations until the powers of
the Interstate Commerce Commission
are clarified and amplffied. What
labor wants is authorization to the
commission, now lacking, for effective
and specific regulatory powers over the
railroads in so far as the interests OF
workers are concerned. The move to
thwart consolidation pending the crea-
ton of such powers for the /. G. 9.
will be directed by David B. Robertson
Of Cleveland, president of the powerful
Brotherhood of Fireman and Enginmen,
who is also chairman Of the Railroad
Labor Executives Association.
Two Ways of Protection.
mr.. Robertson, who is probably the
most astute of brotherhood leaders,
thus epitomizes the issue:
'sThere are only two ways In which
the rail employees Can be protected in
railroad conSolidations-on through
agreements made with their organiza-
tons, the other through legislation CIV
ing the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion power to protect them.
1.-The employees have not been consult
ed with respect to the proposed merger
of Eastern lines into. four big systems,
and therefore no agreements have been
reached In connection with it.
THE Interstate Commerce Commits
sion at present has not the power to
protect the employees. Therefore, there
can be no valid claim that the interests
of the employees are protected in the
proposed consolidation"
Donald r. Richberg of Chicago, chief
counsel for the railroad brotherhoods,
who, together with President Robertson
of the Enginemen, appeared before the
Senate Interstate Commerce Commits
sion in favor Of the Couzens resolution,
asserts: 1.-THE projected merger of
Eastern railroads into four main lines
may eventually stabilize employment to
some extent. But 1t is certain also to
decrease employment. The consolida-
ton may result in improved service to
the public, but 1t furnishes no assurance
of either cheaper or improved service"
Mr.. Richberg, who has fought and won
many a rail labor battle in washington,
win be in the thick of the coming con-
greSsional fray.
Railroad workers, according to their
principal spokesman at Washington,
feel that they will be theS Inevitable VIC
tins Of the projected Eastefn conselida-
ton. They cite one of the merger plan
ners, Daniel willard president of the
Baltimore & Ohio, in continuation Of
their fears. willard is quoted as having
said that 30 per cent Of the hoped@for
curtailment in operating costs will come
out Of the pay envelopes of5the Ts1Tkers.
Labor Is Overwhelmingly the Principal
cost item in railroad companies budgets.
Numerous Causes Of Alarm.
The men are not alarmed merely over
the question Of losing jobs. Tens Of
thousands Of them are already out of
work, owing to the natural causes flow
ing from business depression. Of Rob-
ertson's army Of 100000 fremen and
enginemen there are no fewer than
$4,000 tobless at this time. Consolida-
ton VIII play havoc with them, the
workers say, on numerous other aG-
counts. For one thing, they believe It
VIII devastate their cherished seniority"
system. Seniority" Is as sacred a prin-
ciple among railroad men as it is among
members Of Congress. They're tagged"
Tom the first day they take a Job. As
they grow gray in service the years
they've put In count heavily They
mean more comfortable jobs for the
"oldSters" and preferential treatment in
many respects. Consolidation, rail labor
is convinced, viii throw the whole
seniority" scheme Of things out Of
gear.
Another disturbing factor, from the
mems standpoint, is unacceptable clos
ing down Of shifts of repair shops from
point to point, under consolidation ar
rangementS. This would mean dis
astrous changes In mems living plans
the sacrifice Of homes they've built
and owned, and all that sort Of thing.
brotherhood leaders are convinced these
are matters which have had little or
no attention in the formulation of con-
solidation plans, They will not rest
content until ways and means are
merce Commission Is in position to give
them attention.
"Old Guard" Influence.
The congressional situation, to which
RAN labor will forthwith devote itself,
IS that the CouzenS resolution has been
passed by the Senate, but that its
counterpart stands rejected by the
House. odd Guard" influence in the
lower branch is named as the cause
In the Senate, the railroad mems bat
tie viii be fought under the general
leadership OF Senator Couzens, Republic
can OF Michigan, aided by Messrs. How
ell, Republican, Of Nebraska Brookhart.
Republican Of Iowa; DIN, Democrat Of
washington: Pittman, Democrat of
Nevada; Wheeler, Democrat Of Mon
tana, and Barley. Democrat of Ken
lucky. Senator Wagner, Democrat of
New York, is accounted staunch sup
porter Of the rail workers cause. An
OF these Senators are members of the
Interstate Commerce Committee, Of
which Couzens is chairman.
In the House, rail labor's principal
standby Is Representative Huddleston,
Democrat Of Alabama.
Copyright, 1919
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