New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-29
RAILWAY INTERESTS.

THE WESTERN ENGINEERS STRIKE.
CANDID REVIEW OF THE SITUATION BY THE HEAD
or THE BRoTHERHooD-ORIGIN OF THE STRIKE
WHY II SHOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.
[Br TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE
CLEVELAND Dec. 2S.-The following cOmmunica-
tioh from Charles Wilson of this city, Grand Chief
Engineer Of the Brotherhood, will be published to-
morrow:
Inasmuch as many extravsgant rumors have been cir
cuated in regard to the engineers strike deem 1t due
to the public To that the strike on the leased lines Of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company west of Pittsburgh
was caused by q reduction of 10 per cent OF the
glneers' wages. The engineers claim that agree
ment was entered into about two years since
regulating the wages OF the engineers, and
that the engineers were assured that no change
would be made in their pay unless they were
consulted They also claim that slack In business
the roads materially reduced their pay, as they
paid for trips actually In instances the eng
did not make half me yet the Company retained
them in service, hoping for increase In business
The order fog reduction applied TO officials
as well az employees and the Company claimed
to have treated all alike. yet 1t will
readily be seen that q reduction of 1Ol per cent
salary OF 800 per month still leaves
500, while the reduction caused by the less
number of trips than usual and the per
centace reduced OF the engineers pay 50 per
cent This the engineers claim unjust. The Company
posted the notices OF reduction without consulting the
engineers and it created intense excitement The
engineers appointed a committee TO wait on the Cen
era! Manager. and request the restoration Of their
pay II not aoceded TO- the committee authorized
demand the restoration Of pay and notify the Com
pany Of the time the engineers would quit work. In
doing this the engineers acted upon their RESPONSE
bty, ignoring and violating the rules OF the Brother
hood Both sides claim to be Of success and so far
heard from they stu5bornly contestng the con-
trovcrsy.
The Motherhood o. Locomotive Engineers claim to be
able general rule TO obvlste strikes and one OF tho
features that has recommended this organization
pubic favor is their regard to strikes. While
II generally admitted that man has right
TO quit II he is not satisfied. yet when that man
accepts position that involves the welfare OF thou
sands OF other persons the Ia different and the facts
that the members Of the Brotherhood had voluntarily
obligated themselves to the strike until
honorable had been tried to settle the difficulty
gave them influence and pay than any other labor
society obtained 1t will be lamentabe IL. after
gaining much, members, through illtempcr and
hasty action lose ali.
There Is 10 doubt but what both sides at fault
The results thus far show plainly the absolute necessity
Of providing in somo way tribunal that shall have
power peacesbly to settle all such difficulties. The bust
ness and the interests OF the country cannot afford to
stop aud witness fight between railway officials and
employee and Than all else, workingmen cannot
afford TO starys while capital sits idly by AS have
already stated the main purposes OF the brotherhood
avoid these ruinous conflicts. and although many
OF our engaged in the strike ut the present
time feel il be duty to that they are not
In any way sustained by the organization. and far
the officers OF the organization concerned 1t Is my
firm belief that they will enforce our rules. by so doing
it excludes one half our membership.
THE STRIKE CONDEMNED BY THE HEAD OF THE
BROTHERHOOD OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS-THE
STRIKERS FIRM.
fGRNERAL PRESS DIsPArOH.l
CLEVELAND, Dec 2S.-The following COM
muncaon furnished to the agent of the Associated
Press tonight:
The strike now In operation the leased lines OF the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company is in direct violation OF
the rules OF the Brotherhood of Locomotive ENGINEERS
MY advice every member Of the Brotherhood that has
aut work of the strike Is 70 go TO work at
once and to influence in their power to induce
all persons engaged In the strike to resume work. ana
desst from any with the Companys property
In my opinion no dlsbonor VIII be attached 70
Railroad Company drsSE their present
John Ferhenbach, President Of the Machnists and
Blacksmhs International Union, has issued orders In
strueting members OF that order at Chicago Cincinnati
Columbus Pittsburgh Indianapolis Logansport, Jefer
sonyile and Uchsve. o. to refrain from interfering
with the locomotive engineers in their strike.
COLUMBUS. OHIO, Dec. 2s-The striking engineers held
sons. general interchange of sentiment was had Of
the situation Letters were read from engineers OF
other roads, offering give half Of their salaries to suss
tain the strike if necessary The engineers resolved to
stand firm in their demands. and generally hopeful
spirit was manifested. The brotherhood here are
TO the public understand that they are
posed to resort violence force to prevent per-
cons from running their engines.
PROGRESS OF THE MovEMENT-THE PERKS OF
To
The TRAINs-sERIoUs ACCIDENTS NARROWLY
AvERTED.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE.l
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 28.-There is little
change to note In the condition OF the leased lines Of
the Pennsy lvania Railroad Company During the past
Is hours q trains have arrived and departed, but
there nothing like regularity In their movements and
the passengers apparently wish themselves safely
out Of the danger to which they con-
stautly exposed. The reports OF misplaced switches
and kindred evils. by which trains are threatened.
DO not cause Q feeling Of intense security to the
patrons of the lines and doubt travellers will seek
other routes when possible until they are assured that
their lives will be in extraordinary hazard on this
route doubt that the lawlessness originates
with the rougher GLASS; and discouraged by the better
men wherever possible. The result will be to cause
divisions in their ranks and the earlier return OF the
really valuable men to their former positions.
The railroad authorities claim that In a. hours more
they will be able to all their passenger trains
usua The strikers still holding out but dissensons
are springing up among them and some privately ex
press . willingness TO resume work II they can be
assured Of protection from the moro boisterous ones
The railroad authorities express determination 10
exhaust every in their power rather than YIELD
and they continue 10 discharge all employees whose
WORK can in any way be dispensed with at this time
There IA belief among the officers Of the road here that
the strikers win have their lines broken before to-mor
row night and that before As hours they will DO seeking
their old positions again.
At Dennison, Ohio, which is wholly railroad town,
In ha 10 Columbia and PktA-