RAILROADS: Lower Rates, More Traffic?

Lower Rates, More Traffic?

The railroads and their prosperous revenues are caught in a cross fire. Last week OPA, acting for Economic Stabilizer James F. Byrnes and the Department of Agriculture, petitioned the ICC to cancel the 6% freight-and 10% passenger-rate increases granted last spring. In Chicago this week the five operating Brotherhoods (trainmen, engineers, etc.) are expected to ask for a 10-15% increase in wages. The 15 non-operating Brotherhoods (signalmen, track workers, etc.) have already demanded a wage boost of 20¢ an hour, minimum pay 70¢ an hour. The proposed...