OCR Text |
Show into effect have been fully worked out bv Mr. Gurley and submitted to the Board. It is difficult to see what basic fault could be found with it. It is true that labor is entitled entitl-ed to wage increases made necessary by the rising cost of living. It is also true that wage increases must be within the ability of the industry to pay. Mr. Gurley's formula seems entirely practical, realistic, and fair to all concerned. . FAIR TO ALU What seems to be the soundest proposal yet offered for solvinge the railroad wage controversy, is found in a statement made by F. G. Gurley, vice-president of the Canta Fe Railroad,' before the President's Emergency JBoard. Mr. Gurley observed that the demands made by railroad labor, which would involve wage increases of about $9,00,000,0000 a year are ruinious, and that if they were granted the railroads could not hope to survive as self-sustaining business institutions. He then O presented the following plan, which has four definate objectives: First railway employes would be granted grant-ed emergency compensation. This compensation compensa-tion would be based upon two controlling .factore, the trend in the cost of living, as shown in official indexes, and the trend of the carriers' gross revenue. Second, the present basic rates of pay would be maintained. In other words, these existing rates would be a floor beneath which wages would not go. Third, a reasonable ceiling of emergency emergen-cy payments would be established. Fourth, provision would be made for a reduction of emergency compensation payments, pay-ments, should the upward trend of the cost of living and the industry's revenues reverse itself. The details involved in putting this plan |