The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-16
THE DISCHARGED LOCOMOTIVE FIRE
MAN

SUPERINTENDENT BARKER's EXPLANATIONS
ROSS A VERY MIscHIEvous CHARACTER.
A HERALD representative called Superintendent
George W. Barker. of the Pennsylvania railroad at
Jersey CITY, yesterday in reference the discharge
of Zacharish T. Ross, President OF the Locomo.
tive Firemen OF Hudson Lodge, No. g. Of
Jersey City. Ross, since his discharge
had been industrously circulating reports
according to Information received by Mr. Barker
which would excite sympathy tor HIM and place him
In the light OF a martyr Mr Barker said no was
therefore glad to have opportunity the facts
before tho public, which he did follows :-'Tu the
first place, never sent Tor Ross, did inform
INN or any other man that had received orders rom
Philadelphia or any other place to discharge anybody
connected with the strike, or who bad endeuvored
TO cause a strike No such orders exist NOR havs
ANY such been issued. ] dismissed Ross my own
responsibility for cause. and he Is tho only hroman
propose 70 dismiss Tor any purpose whatever ex0ept
slack in business Whatever the hremen SAID to In
my discussions with them they SAID like men and
respect them Tor H. dismissed Ross for thoss rea-
sons:On the first Monday OF the disturbance Ross
came 10 me alone, and represented himself having
been sent as n committee OF one from the lodge 10
discuss the situation and lay before me the claims
OF the men. | told HIM that the matter was too
grave and important to DO talked over by aud
l refused To talk with him unless he brought
men. He threatened strike unless tho mems
were complied with, ana said that there from
10 hmm Nsw Ss a around to back
knew that there was an clement only waiting for
opportunity TO act again told him would not
treat with him alone but he must bring meu
or | would go to the round house He left
and returned with five others. l related to
them what he said and they at once repudiated his
whole action They denied that they they had sent
him, and repudiated his threats SO much tor
that Hurng that interview and at subsequent times
Ross was nsolent and threatening, then made up
my mind TO dismiss him. There arc two or threa
other not iremen who will he dismissed when tue
time comes broke no agreement with the nen and
willing 10 leave this ma ter 10 their good
Judgment Ross remarks in the latter part of the
statement published in the HKRALD false there
was no strike OF hrenen on the road except ON the
Pittsburg division.
Let me say again that discharged this man my
own responsibility, ana no orders in regard to din
missals have been Issued TO me by the company Now
in regard 10 another statement which recently was
mado IN the 'Compaint Book" of tho HERALD, let me
say word IL stated that there Is
possibility Tor freight conductor TO obtain
promotion to tho position Of passenger
conductor. The figures will the best answer
to that. OF tho forty passenger conductors
our road twenty seven have been promoted
from freight conductors. So mucn Tor that re.
markable instance Is the OF a brakeman
freight train. whom raised to the position Of
conductor was laughed at in Office, and some
Of the officials said was crazy. That mau is to-day
the conductor our road and tho most popular
among tho commuters