The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-16
RAILROAD PAY
CUT OPPOSED
BY ROOSEVELT
Pleads for Extension of
Pact Now in Operation;
Fears Disturbing Effects.
By United Press

By United Press
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-An ap-
peal for an extension of their 10 per
cent wage cut agreement was made
to railroad capital and labor to-
day by President Roosevelt.
The chief executive acted TO fore
stall a bitter disagreement in one of
the nations largest industries by
drafting a communication TO both
parties a few hours after the en-
ployers announced that beginning
July l of this year wages of all
classes of railroad union labor would
be cut Is per cent for twelve
months.
In urging a truce until Jan. l.
1885, the President wrote IN a let
ter to the conference committee of
managers representing class 1 rail-
roads and the Railway Labor Exec
utives' Association:
i all CO1lllQC1lb O11dU QUILL Oil Ca
tension would be of advantage to
those directly concerned, and also
to the entire country"
1t was indicated that he had in
mind nearly a million men in his
appeal.
Sure Goal Will Be Reached
Mr.. Roosevelt pointed out that
"the emergency still exists, and the
country has not yet attained con-
ditions of stability" He added, how
ever, that marked progress toward
national recovery has been made
since last June, and I am sure the
goal will be reached"
The Presidents letter vas dated
Feb. IA and pointed out that on
Feb. Is there expired the agreement
in accordance with provisions of the
railway labor act by which either
party could serve notice of desire
to change the basic rates of pay.
Lie UId11lC VI bllC 4dAAA O0Ao 10
improving" he reminded both sides,
but their financial condition is still
impaired and their credit has not
been restored so far as private capt.
tai is concerned. Under present con-
ditions the prosecution of a bitter
wage controversy between the rail-
roads and their employees ove wages
would have a most disturbing infu-
ence, and I am convinced that con-
ditions are not yet sufficiently stable
to permit of a wise determination
of what the wages should be for the
future.
Pleads for Extension
I'm the circumstances I venture
to express the hope that the rail-
roads and their employees may be
able to agree upon an extension of
the present agreement for another
six months"
The present agreement referred to
by Mr.. Roosevelt expires June 80,
1884, under the terms of a pact en-
tered into June 81, 1888, and con-
tinued from Oct. 81 of the same
year.
The President recalled that "it was
stated that this agreement had been
reached because both the railroads
and the employees wished to do
nothing which would in any way
embarrass or threaten the policy Of
the administration"
Fears Disturbing Effect
They realized, he continued, that
the government had embarked on
a wholly new policy designed to pro-
mote business and industrial activity
and to further the general welfare;
that they appreciated that until the
results of this policy could be more
clearly determined it would be
difficult to deal wisely with the
wage controversy.
The President pointed out, fur
thermore, that the active prosecu-
ton of such a controversy at this
time might have a most disturbing
and unsettling effect.
Neither side relinquished," he
said, lin any way its views as to
what the wages should be, but they
agreed to a postponement Of the
controversy out of Difference to
what they believed to be the desire
and policy of the administration
and in the general public interest"