Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 236, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 September 1919 — RAIL SHOPMEN ARE GIVEN INCREASE. [ARTICLE]

RAIL SHOPMEN ARE GIVEN INCREASE.

Washington, Sept. 29.—Railroad shopmen will be paid on the basis _ of an eight hour day similar to the members of. the four brotherhoods, under the first national agreement covering their wages and working conditions, which has been signed by Director General Hines and representatives of the six international shop crafts, it was learned today. The changes mean an increase of four cents an hour and were ordered by President Wilson to put the shopmen on an equal footing with other employes in the matter of an eight hour day. At the same time he refused any general wage increase as requested. . . The agreement, effective October 20 until the government relinquishes control of the roads, is the first contract covering all railroad shop employes. , ■ Heretofore each road has had ats ions, varying in important particulars. Union officials regard the urnform contract as one of the most important, gains made by labor in recent years.