Evening star., 1932-09-22
RAIL LABOR ASKS
U. S. INTERVENTION
In WAGE CUT PLAN
Continued From First Page)

the railway service are producing prac-
tically the same revenues as before.
Unemployed labor is not being paid
any unearned income. But unemployed
property is demanding payment of un-
earned income out Of reduced wages.
We again insist that it. is economically
unsound and socially unjust to reduce
wages in order that labor may pay a
dole to idle capital"
Suffered Several Years.
The statement pointed cut that rail
workers have suffered Ito an extraordi-
nary degree from increasing unemploy-
ment for several years" 1t called to
attention that when 10 per cent
wage reduction was effected early this
year to be effective till January 81,
1899, it was hoped to relieve the finan-
about more employment. 1t was re-
called however, that at that time labor
had said 1t did net believe wage re-
ductions were appropriate means to
restore prosperity or that they would
aid public welfare
We believe that the course of the
depression has demonstrated the sound
ness Of our position" the statement
said.
The statement was read to President
Hoover by A. F. Whitney, chairman of
the labor association. The labor lead
ers were introduced to the President by
Secretary of Labor Doak and were in
minutes. They would not say upon
leaving what Mr.. Hoover's reaction had
been to their plea.
The visit to the White House followed
the labor leaders rejection yesterday Of
overtureS from the carriers for confer
ences to negotiate a 20 per cent cut to
become effective February l, when 10
per cent cut negotiated in January of
this year expires.
The labor leaders program was be-
lieved to be designed to head off the
20 per cent wage cut, which the carriers
now are seeking to put into effect
throughout the country to relieve the
pressure of falling revenues.
Matter to Lie Dormant.
At the same time it was said by a
spokesman for the carriers that the
wage-cut agitation would lie dormant
for whole, following the refusal OF the
labor leaders.
A committee of executives headed by
w. lACllOiA, llidSAC IaAC Ahoe SsSASeA 10
to the labor leaders Tuesday evening.
The fiat rejection of the latter was
embodied yesterday in a letter from
Mr.. Whitney, chairman OF the labor
group.
After its receipt, the executives. who
had come here to meet the employees
representatives, broke up their session:
It was said then that there was still
sufficient time for negotiation before
the present wage agreement expires, but
that if no move was made in this direc-
tion the carriers were prepared to take
definite" action. This means they will
file formal notice that the cut Is de-
sired, through the Board Of Mediation,
thus bringing into play the Federal ma
chinery set up to handle issues between
carriers and employees.
Approves Three Candidates.
The labor group. which has been
meeting since Tuesday, branched into
the political field yesterday afternoon
and put their seal of approval on three
candidates for the Senate, at the same
time announcing they would indorse
Senator Brookhart, Republican, of Iowa,
who was defeated for denomination, II
he runs as an independent.
resentative Dieterich of Illinois, to op-
pose Senator Glenn; Crompton White,
Idaho, to run against Senator John
Thomas, and Fred H. Brown, New
Hampshire, to oppose Senator Moses.