The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-04-23
RAILWAY WAGE
PROBLEM FACES
ADMINISTRATION
Labor Leaders Object to
Continuing Present 10
Per Cent Cut.
BV United Press

BV United Press
WASHINGTON, April 23.-With
a speedy return to normally antici-
pated in the bituminous coal indus
try. the railway wage problem be-
came the chief labor issue before
the administration today.
The automobile industry caused
worry also. Strikes were called in
plants at Cleveland and st.
Louis. officials admitted posi-
bility the conflict might spread to
other centers where sporadic out
bursts have been frequent despite
supposed settlement of the situation
through an agreement negotiated
by the President.
Miners and operators in southern
coal fields were expected to drop
their embattled stand and respond
to President RooSevelts appeal to
resume normal operations on the
revised wage scale drawn by Re-
covery Administrator Hugh S.
Johnson.
Wage Cut Opposed
In the rail situation appointment
of a special presidential commission
to examine the demands of unions
and suggest a settlement was con-
sidered likely.
Labor leaders reiterated their OPP
position to proposals of Mr.. RooSe-
welt to continue the present 10 per
cent wage cut and allow railroads
to put men to work on maintenance
projects with increasing revenues.
An announcement of their next
move in the dispute was promised
after a meeting today.
Chairman A. F. Whitney Of the
Railway Labor Executives Associa-
ton, speaking for labor, criticised
the railroads and the proposed set
Element harshly.
Capitalization Criticised
employees are being asked to con-
tinue to surrender One-tenth of their
small wages to rehabilitate' the rail-
roads and the security owners, the
latter of which collected $4,000, 900
more in interest in 1888 than in the
prosperous year of 1929" his state
ment said
The unions criticised the capitali-
zation of the railroads which has
also aroused the concern of Presi-
dent Roosevelt, who suggested that
unless reorganized the roads were
faced with public ownership.
In the coal situation, all parties
to the disturbance were under alb
duration by the President to go
back TO work at once"
New Compromise Scale
ut is now time for all concerned
to cease controversy, get back into
its production on this rate and with
the least possible delay" the Presi-
dent said.
The new wage schedules repre-
sented a compromise between the
per cent wage differential allowed
southern fields under a basic SIS
daily rate established April l for
northern fields and the schedule
previously prevailing.
The new rate for Alabama where
the dispute was bitterest was set at
$3.50, compared with an original
code draft of $40 and an April
rate of $3.50. Differentials for other
fields we're closer to the original
order.
DifferentiaI Recognized
The right of the south to a diff
ferential was recognized but the
President warned that mo region
has any right, by depressing its
labor, wages and hours to invade
with its cheaper production an area
of higher wages and hours and thus
to impose its lower standards on
an area of higher standards"
An order prohibiting Alabama
operators from selling coal in COM
peting areas at less than prices
charged in those areas accompanied
the new wage schedule.
Almost ali Alabama mines were
closed and 10000 miners were on
strike as a result of the conflict.
Expressions by miners and opera
tors indicated work would be re-
sumed rapidly.