Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1900 — RAILROAD PROSPERITY [ARTICLE]

RAILROAD PROSPERITY

Great Increase In Employes and Amount of Wages Paid. In the four years that have passed since the last presidential campaign there has been an enormous increase in the number of men employed by the railroads of the country, likewise a great increase’ln that item set down in operating expenses as wages. The reports furnished by the interstate commerce commission show, in brief, i that more tailroad men are employed i today than at any previous time in the : country’s history. The situation as rei gards employment and wages is UlusI trated by detailed statements furnish- ' ed by some of the great trunk lines. These statements are later than any ! of the interstate commerce commission’s reports and each reach to the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 1900. J' Three representative roads present the following conditions: Chicago and Northwestern—Men em- ‘ ployed in 1896, 26,761; in 1900, 35,286; increase, 5J525. Wages paid in 1896, $16,672,068; in I'.i'M), $22,517.3:15; increase. $5,845,267. Illinois Central Men employed In ! 1896, 19,647; in 19Q0, 28,205; increase, i 8,735. Wages paid in .1896, $9,467,021; in 1900, $15,259,561; increase, $5,792,540. Chicago, Rock Island and PacificMen employed in 1896, 9,627; in 1900, 11,732; increase, 2,105. Wages paid in 1896, $6,318,533; in 1900, $7,682,619; increase. $1,364,086. Chicago, Burlington and Quincy—lncrease of employes in 1899 over 1896, 4,147. Increase in wages in 1899 over 1896, $2,078,147. In these four comparisons is shown the conditions existing on all roads, the forces being everywhere increased to meet the demand made upon railroads for the movement of freight and passengers. To illustrate the situation in general a table prepared by the Railway and Telegraph Employes’ leagues, making comparisons between j 1895, and 1899, gives the following as i the amount of increase paid in salaries ' and wages in the various branches of the railroad business: General officers $ 729,756 : Other officer's 2,634.516 ■ General office clerks 2,429,046 Station agents 1,327,277 Other station men 4,158,297 Engine men 7,255,143 Firemen -• . 4,077,504 Conductors 3,933,917 Other trainmen 4.757,842 Machinists 3.002,562 Carpenters 4,007,586 Other shopmen 8,501,024 Section forembn .... 1,088,648, Other trackmen ... 7 ....... 10,926,032 i Switchmen, flagmen, watchmen 3,730,505 Telegraph operators and dispatchers 1,494,801 Employes’ account of floating equipment 723,142 I All other employes and laborers .... 12,661,977 Total $77,459,635 The expenditure of $77,459,635 more in 1899 than in 1896 among railway employes is uncontradictory evidence that this eltiss, like all others, has benefited by the country’s prosperous condition.