Evening star., 1936-03-09


Association of American Railroads,
and J A. Phillips, vice chairman OF
the Association of Railway Labor
Executives, proposing negotiations on
a controversy over rail unification,
follows
Gentlemen:
I am concerned by conditions in
the railroad industry With all the
other means of transportation which
have become so important and are
developing so rapidly, the future OF
the railroads depends on sustained
ability to improve service, and in
many cases reduce rates. Much new
equipment is and will be needed. Not
all that should be done can be done
at once, but if the railroads do not
progress they will retrogress. The op-
portunities for progress are great ana
will expand. The danger is that these
opportunities will be lost.
Friendly Solution Urged.
The country has vital interest IN
this matter, but no one has a greater
stake than those who own and those
who work for the railroads. In many
ways their interests are identical, and
they ought to be able to work to-
gether for a common end. Certainly
this is true of better and less costly
service. which will enable the rail-
roads to lead. or at least keep up with,
transportation progress. What dis
turbs me is the apparent inability OF
the managements and the men to CO.
operate in working out such common
problems. Issues which ought to be
settled by friendly negotiation are be-
ing fought out in the battle grounds
of Congress and the courts. Legisla-
ton has its place. Often it has been
necessary for the welfare of labor or
capital or both, but it is remedy to
be taken with great caution, or it may
prove worse than the disease.
A critical situation prompts this
letter. 1t is common knowledge that
there is much waste in railroad op-
Grafton. caused by the great number
of railroad companies, and that much
of it can be avoided, either by con-
solidations or by greater cooperation
and co-ordinated use of various ia
cihties. This waste hampers rail-
road progress and is burden on the
rate paying public. 1t ought to be
eliminated for the good of all con-
cerned and conditions favorable to
its elimination are now developing
1 say this because the tide of traffic
is rising Under such conditions un-
necessary and wasteful work can be
avoided with least hardship to en-
ployes. because new work comes in
to take the place of much that goes.
Would Soften Hardships.
In the long run, the employees will
surely gain from maximum efficiency
and economy in railroad operation.
With competitive conditions what
they now are and promise to become,
this is the only path to the increased
traffic and revenues which the rail-
road future will require But sudden
steps in this direction may cause
temporary hardships. The employees
are fairly entitled to protection against
such hardships.
The emergency railroad transporta-
ton act. 1888, undertook to promote
the elimination of railroad waste and
at the same time protect the employees.
This protection is now satisfactory
neither to the companies nor to the
and by the terms of the
act it will, unless extended, termi-
nate on June 16. next. 1t is matter
which is capable of being settled to
better advantage by negotiation than
by legislation. Given sufficient time,
the managements and the men ought
to be able to agree, in their common
interests, upon a reasonable plan of
protection.
Fears Alternative.
If they do not agree and legisla-
ton is sought as the only solution,
fear harm to the railroad industry.
Both sides will take extreme positions.
The effect of such legislation may be
to discourage and prevent progress.
Litigation will ensue. The courts may
strike down what is attempted, so
that the battle ground will again
shift to Congress. The relations be-
tween the arrangements and the men
will be embittered, with unfortunate
results in many different ways.
All this can be avoided if the con-
other in spirit of reasonableness and
The employees ought not
to forget what they will gain if the
railroads can progress as transporta-
ton agencies and what they will lose
if the railroads retrogress. They
ought to bear in mind that the prin-
ciple of protecting employees against
undue hardship from econ omy prof.
ects is only beginning to gain ground.
It is not as yet applied by most in
dustries nor by the other transporta-
tion agencies, nor even by the Gov
ernment. The railroad industry has
always taken the lead in the estab-
lishment of good working conditions
and labor relations, but it cannot
safely get too far In advance of the
procession. Nor ought the employees
to overlook the fact that if unneces-
sary railroad costs are not avoided,
much desirable work that creates en-
ployment may not be undertaken.
This has happened in maintenance
work, especially, and may easily hap
pen again.
Empioye Protection Gaining.
On the other hand, the manage
ments ought to bear in mind that the
principle of employe protection Is
steadily finding acceptance among re-