The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-16
RAILROAD ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA.

An Address from the Brotherhood Of LO-
connective Engineers-The Question Of
Strfkes-COmmittce ON Train Despatch
ing-A Standard Gauge Adopted for
Compromise Cars-Adjournment to Meet
I'm Chicago Next October.
The semi-a convention or the Railroad AS
ISOLATION OF America resumed It's session at the St.
Nicholas Hotel yesterday morning, the chair being
taken by the President Of the Association, Mr..
Thomas Allen OF the st. Louis and Iron Mountain,
Cairo and Fulton, and Cairo, Arkansas and Texas
Railroad. After the meeting had been called to
der, q deputation from the Brotherhood Of LocomO-
tive Engineers was introduced. Their chairman,
MI. Wilson, OF Cleveland, stated that the interview
sought for the purpose OF softening all preju-
dices dissipatlng all jealouses and to make known
the real object OF their organization. In explain
ing the objects of the society, he said 1t
was composed of men Of good moral char
acter, and they aim at Incorporating In
their constitution a provision that men join
ing their body sign pledge to abstain from
the use of all intoxicating liquors. but they have
not yet been successful in this matter. The or
ganization numbers at the present moment 1856
sub-organizations in the United States and Canada
and 1t may therefore be considered OF an inter-
national character. 1t is not secret society, said
Mr.. Wilson, and they were willing to submit the
handbook Of rules OF the society to inspection OF
the companies. Mr.. Wilson denied that they had
any secret object whatever, or that there was any
rule not TO associate with men who went to work
during the strike OF the engineers. Should mem
Der neglect his family, become drunkard, or
injure willully the property OF the railroad com.
pany by which he was employed, or be guilty OF
any other misconduct, he was liable to be expelled
from the society and his name stricken OF It's rolls.
Abiding to the important question OF strikes,
MT wilson spoke Of the strike Ra ON tine a S
stated that only four men had been proved
guilty Of doing anything wrong in getting
sde r ns he had teesrapaea 70 their
division lodge that the men, II they wanted
To- G MS D sns o
railway company the men would not be sus-
tanned or supported in a strike unless majority
was legitimate and UNSUITABLE. Mr.. wilson said he
made these explanations to clear away any nsun.
the organization. Their real and whole oh.
ject is to educate and anOrd greater iaclli-
ties for employment to members MI wilson a tnen
be In antagOnism to their engineers, as all their
members are obliged OF necessity to be sober and
Railroad Association would demand that each
locomotive engineer should sign temperance
paedge Wneh He ne Canned also for the
that Il had refused to cooperate or afiliate with
other trade societies and that they had not taken
any action with the claims OF the New York
coOpers, horsesh0ers or b00tmakers in the matter
Of strike. In reply to question put BY Mr.. McMul
lin. MT. wilson SAID tnat II u DIVISION struck
trary to rune, they intended to make It provision
that the Brotherhood would furnish men to the
company. or course, continued the speaker rail-
way managers want men and not slaves aud Will
not submit them to any indignity; and there never
will be strike except for what any outsider would
pronounce just cause. The statements Of the
deputation were submitted to a committee, who
will report at the next meeting, which takes place
ut Chicago on the second Wednesday In October.
The Committee on Train Despatching sent in
report on collisions and Their Causes.n They ind
that an Improvement in the present system Is
needed, so as to promptly detect and check mis-
takes; and they promise TO further consider the
matter and report at another time.
7. +. LOOMS thought the railroad companies sus-
tanned great losses by the detention OF freight cars
at functions, sidings. &C, beyond the allotted
time, for the convenience OF those using them, anu
suggested that So per car per day snOuiu pe
charged to the persons 80 OBTAINING them. inc
subject was referred to a committee.
standard gauge OF four feet eight ana quarter
inches was adopted fer compromise cars. The
Convention then adjourned until October, 10 meet
In Chicago.