The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-01-13
LABOR MAKES
SACRIFICE FOR
U.S.. RAIL LINES
Workers Link Hands With
Capital to Avert Ruin;
Take Wage Cuts.
INSIDE STORY is TOLD
More Men Will Get Work
and Revenue viii Be
Increased.
BY FREDERICK C. OTHMAN
United Press Staff Correspondent

Downright. 1892. by United Pressl
CHICAGO, Jan. 13.-ThurSday's
unprecedented parley here between
railroad labor and capital finds both
sides agreed upon s~temporary wage
cut to "save the railroads" They
agree also that there must be
greatly increased employment, "tc
save the railroad men,"
The 100000 railroad workers
will accept voluntarily a 10 per cent
slash in their pay, the United Press
has learned from an unimpeachable
source, in exchange for the promise
on the part of the railroads to put
as many of their 100000 unemployed
workers. as they can back on their
jobs.
For the first-time since the mys-
tery-Shrouded negotiations between
the workers and owners started last
year, man high IN the realm of
railroading has consented to tell
the 'lowdown" on the situation, af-
fecting virtually every city and
hamlet in the country.
Tells Inside Story
He spoke frankly in a hotel room
high above Lake Michigan, after
he had exacted a promise that his
name would not be mentioned. He
said he believed the story of the
dealings between the two groups
should be made public.
ct is an honorable story he
said, "the story of sensible men
doing what they think best. I don't
want to be mentioned, simply be-
cause some of the delegates on each
side still believe in the time-hon-
ored custom of keeping private all
negotiations between the railroads
and their men.
But when David Robertson of
the locomotive engineers goes in
with twenty other union leaders to
meet Daniel Willard of the B. 81
o. and eight more railroad presi-
dents, it will not be case of wild
eyed labor agitators battling stub
born capitalists.
Instead, the stable, sober heads
of the unions will be comforting
amicably with the owners of the
roads on problems which vitality
affect the interests of both sides.
Railroads Face Crisis
THE crux of the matter is that
the railroads are hard pressed to
meet their fixed charges. Many of
them are not even doing that. The
railroad workers likewise have been
hit by the depression so that about
half million of them are out of
work.
THE remedy which was demanded
has been provided. The workers
will take a 10 per cent cut in their
salaries for one year. That will save
the roads approximately $3.50, 00O,-
900.
Recent freight rate increases will
give the lines about 100000, 900
more. They will use the total of
$350,000,000 to meet fixed charges
and to increase employment.
Business will have to pick I'D so
that more trains can be run, before
the trainmen will benefit. But the
roads will rehire Immediately thou
sands of workers to repair their run
down equipment and trackage.
Likened to SNOWFALL
ut will be comparable to a
SNOWFALL increasing in size along
with the expected general business
Improvement. Retiring of men will
help business and better business
will mean the hiring of more men.
we all hope and believe that by
the end of the year former wage
levels may be established.
"Rumors of strikes, of arbitrary
wage threats and of possible dis
aSter to the steam carriers are
twaddle. It is to the benefit of the
worker to keep the roads kept out
of the Sheriff's hands. And it is
to the benefit of the roads to see
that as many of their loyal en-
ployes as possible are given steady
work"