The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1931-08-21
The New York Central Threatens
Wage Cuts

ing methods the company gets his work done by,
speeding up other workers; this saves the COM
l. re $lC00 per laid off worker. To this
add the pay envelopes saved through forcing
the mcA to Jake voluntary vacations" of one or
more days week and you have the money not
only to buy up railroads but to pay dividends.
This reserve" boarded year by year from the
sweat of the worker is called Accumulated
surplus"
Here is what the Standard Statistics Corp.
has to say on the subject: BY Dec. 81, $780, the
New York Central had accumulated surplus of
1926, $4,000. In 1880 it paid out to bondholders
over u millions and to shareholders 40 millions
of dollars. 1.-THE first quarter of 1881 showed
total income too small to cover all interest etc.
BUT divi 2nds at the rate of Sc a share are
being pa; from accumulated surplus" Among
the direc ors and stockholders of the New York
Central r whom the workers shaved to "accu-
mulate" this rich surplus the Venderbilts, the
late George F. Baker, who died leaving an estate
of $500,000000, and Bertram Cutler, Rockefellers
personal representative on the board. Rookie
, Teller himself has an income of between $20-
100000 and $30,00000o year.
What prospects are there for breaking the
wage cuts offensive of the railroad barons? Lit
tie can be expected from the present unions OPP
Grating in the shop crafts. Numerically they in
Cluue less Cndn One-11CQ OF the workers OF the
Harmon Shops. The activity of such unions as
do exist lies more in fighting the unorganized
or workers in other craft unions in order to keep
the few jobs there are for favored members.
They are not taking any steps to fight the COM
pany policy of wage cuts, speed-up and piece
work. 1t is absolutely essential for the morgan
lied workers to get together. 1t is absolutely
necessary to win some sort Of relief for the
workers who are so ruthlessly laid off and who
can find no other jobs. It is imperative to keep
up the closest relations between those still
working in the shops and those laid off The
coming winter, will surely be winter of severe
hardship both for part time and unemployed
workers as well as for those still holding jobs.
campaign for unemployment insurance or
lief should be Immediately undertaken. The
millionaires in the local community, many of
whom are shareholders in the railroad must be
made to carry the burden of this relief The
workers must demand of the local communities
that these millionaires be taxed for unemploy-
ment relief. And above all the policy of wage
cuts, direct and indirect, must be fought. The
six hour day and five day week would give
more work and lessen unemployment but this
demand can only be accepted on the basis Of
six hours with eight hours pay. Any attempt on
the part of the Brotherhoods to make the men
accept six hour day at wages lower than those
at present earned is nothing more than an ac-
ceptance on the part Of the unions Of wage-cut.
Such program can only be carried to a Sue
cessful conclusion by the united efforts of all
railroad shop workers; organized and morgan
lied; employed and unemployed. A campaign to
this very end is already under way. 1t is being
led by the National Railroad Workers Industrial
League and convention was just held to dis
cuss these demands and prepare the fight.
Every railroad worker should be informed Of
the program Of the Railroad Workers Industrial
League and Of the results Of the Chicago conven-
tion Future issues Of Labor Unity will contain
this and much other information of the greatest
value to all railroad workers.