Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-18
RAIL WAGE PAREEY
III -:
PLANS COMPLETED 1
Executives and Labor Lead
ers Prepare for Meet
ing Tomorrow.
BY VICTOR EUBANK.
Associated Press Financial Writer.

NEW YORK, November 18.-Railway
officials and labor leaders were yester-
day preparing their heavy artillery for
the "get-together" conference between
employers and employees which is sched-
ulsed to be held in New York tomorrow.
While it is not expected that any
formal decision or action win be taken
at this meeting. both the bosses and
the workers are hoping that their vari-
GUS viewpoints will be thoroughly aired
and the way opened for future con-
structive action which presumably can
be taken by the individual roads In
negotiations with their men.
From the standpoint of the rail off,
Gals the most important question to be
faced at the present moment Is the
matter of wages. They think-and the
wish Is a close relative to the thought
that the brotherhoods should volun-
tarily reduce their pay, at least tenn
porarily, around 10 per cent.
4. Labor Leaders Position.
On the other hand, labor leaders say
| they do not intend to discuss wage re-
duction, but that the matter of unem-
| ployment is serious one with them,
and they wish to put it before. rail
heads. Also some of them are expected
| to argue StrenuouSly for six-hour day
! at the existing rate of pay as one means
for combating the jobless situation.
In some quarters it is said that few
of the union leaders who recognize the
| plight of the carriers under present
depressing conditions might listen to a
| proposal voluntarily to reduce wages
as sort of loan" to the roads, They
would insist that whatever reduction
was made should be paid back by the
| railways when better business war
| ranted. On
This scheme, however, Is said to be
| viewed with great disfavor by important
officials, who brand it as q socialistic
proposition. The labor men argue. that
while the situation Of the roads Is not
at all good the employees should not be
penalized in favor of stockholders who
have previously received more on less
fat dividends a.
The heads of the larger lines are
unanimously of the opinion that the
only way they can now be saved is by
fiat cut in wages. They contend. that
the action of the Interstate Commerce
Commission in refusing them Is per
| cent increase in freight rates leaves no
other alternative. They say. that the
scheme Of the Commerce Commission,
granting them increases in Certain
rates, whereby the revenue thus raised
shall be pooled for the benefit of the
weaker lines, is not really assisting the
In trying the case before the union
officials, the rail executives. cite in
creased cost of operation and declare
that growing competition from truck
and bus transportation in addition to
| pipe lines has decreased their revenues
to such an extent that the majority of
| the roads are faced with ruin -
Some Opposition Noted.
Decision of the railroad officials to
meet committee representing the
workers was taken last week at q con-
! ference OF railway presidents in~New
! York. The conference was an; infer
NAL one and followed meeting of the
Railway Executives Association, which
accepted in principle the Interstate
| Commerce Commissions rate-pooling
proposal. =,
Several of the presidents are under
| stood to have spoken against meet ng
| the labor committee on the ground that
neither the men nor the railways would
be benefited. It was claimed that any
negotiations with labor should be con-
| Quoted by the individual roads. It was
| finally agreed to meet the union rep
resentatives with the idea that Some.
thing might happen" that would aid
| the situation. 49,
The railway officials committee con-
| S1sts Of nine presidents, with Daniel
Willard of the Baltimore & OHIO as
chairman.