The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-07-21
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III all disputes. II doins thu ydd l6rever
prevent the possibility of . strike, and this
ought to be an inducement sufficient to war
rant you IN making he rexpeGineeA The
public must approve an Arrangement Of this
kind, that will effectually prevent an inter
ruption of their business. Every principle Of
right urges you to- Try end forever prevent
hat eediaos destr4y6 ofprote1g-4 strip.
r. Y62 mAy ask, what ASSURANCE cad You give
that this agreement win be observed on your
part ? We answer. thst we viii sign q CON
tract with four thousand names, comprising
nearly all the best locomotive engineersin this
country, and as endorsers We think ~ could
get &WAjolg of fe me1esf NaGhanics
throughout The country, with large number
of Superintendent, and we hope some Of
the Presidents This we are willing to do.
What more can you ask Of us7 Some object
to the Brotherhood for the reason that some
young and inexperienced engineers are ad-
mittsd. Our answer is, that We did ngt SET
them to running and it cannot possibly in
jure the company to have these young men
looked after and advised by their oldest and
most xsiable men. Give n yosr assistance,
and We viii guarantee that no incompetent
men are recommended. Some one may ask,
Why make the distinction any more to favor
snxneess Tim D her me chanicsf ~ 8 nnewef
that this plan might be beneficial to other
classes, but no other class of men really oc-
cupy such responsible positions as locomotive
engineers 1t mny be sid that certain men
can be found that can run locomotive with
little experience. The -only answer we wish
to give this often made remark is, what would
induce one of the Superintendent Of any Of
our first class roads TO alitw one of these new
beginners or natural engineers to take charge
of an engine that was 10, draw one of their
most islportant express trains n othing but
d strike will ever afford this class OF men an
opportunity of displaying their ability. The
Oldest and most reliable master mechanics in
the country fuzzy understand the Importance
Of having good and reliable men for engi-
neers, and in ordinary times would forfeit
their positions sooner than send one of this
class of ready made engineers to run any
train. It's folly for us TO argue the respensi-
bility &c 6hr rosinons 70 kidA Hho earf<eal
ize it better than we are able to ourselves.
The Brotherhood of Locomtive Engineers is
maintained for the purpose Of secvueEmg
every desirable quality ih their members.
There may have been some mistakes made,
bat We beg Of you do not cundsmn all forthe
failure Of some few of its members to do
'sRs, 4. ca. NO, ls, the ov.o,,..i., pas. With on.
referring you to one particular road that N
operated by engineers tbs. belong to the
Brotherhood. There are many that are in
inst as good hands, but this is one Of the
most important lines IN the country. We re-
fer to the New York Central Railroad. On
this road. nearly every engineer running on
the road belongs to the Brotherhood. We
are informed by the engineers that their rela- |
tons with the Company eof the most friend |
ly character, and in their opinion the danger
OF any interruption TO business by strike, |
has been lessened just in proportion as they
have succeeded in getting fully organized, aud |
being mutually understood as working for |
each others interest We are informed of
numerous cases that could be referred to, |
showing the advantages Of this Association |
in reforming many Of the men. The Broth |
ers on that railroad inform Us that they are |
willing TO stand or fall on lie verdict Of then
officer. II .ue o.iicers on that road say that |
the Brotherhood has been an injury TO them |
as a Company, or in their judgment il is |
an objection 10 the engineers, then all will |
allow that they are laboring under mis-
take. This cannot apply alone to this Cons
pany, but many more that have taken time to |
investigate this matter, will fnlly agree with |
the n. \. c. Co. 1t may be said by some
that there IS too much importance attempted
to he1ttached 10 tlls matter. We think thel
loss that must ensue to both parties and the |
public in any conflict that mi ht arise is suf>
icient answer 10 this objection; and being |
willing TO even prevent a strike, or avoid a |
controversy that viii in any way interfere /
with running the roads ; and also being snxi
Gus to remove the prejudice that is known to
exist with many officials, and being determin-
ed that in any future difficulties thu; lay
eud in strike-tla responsibility shall not
Iesi with us-wiih these intentions we have
made this appeal to You. We most respect |
fully ask all railroad officials that are willing |
TO try and make some arrangement that will |
prevent strikes, and at the same time insure
to all railroad companies the best class Of en-
gineers that ii is possible to procure in this
country, to give their assistance and advice
in maturing ana adopting the best plan tina.
will accomplish so desirable an object We
ask you to furnish us with your opinions as
regards this matter, promising that If you can
devise my better plan than the one suggested |
to accomplish the object sought, we will most
heartily endorse it.
This Committee will take measures to place
any communication You may be pleased to
make before sll the divisions Immediately. i
Hoping the suggestions herein contained will /
meet with your approval, and that the result |
will be lasting benefit to all concerned. we,
with great respect, submit this csrnnunica