The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-11-06

put WQtn ub Cuuplneo WIN us tbllOWh
for the purpose, he can do q very great
deal, Civilization iseli 10 bat the effect
OF combining.
Such are my views, which are the result
Of my experience and observation az the
chief officer OF the Brotherhood OF Loco,
motive Engineers, concerning the neces.
atty and the benefits Of the organisation OF
labor, concerning the right principle and
the effectiveness Of arbitration, and con-
corning the desirability OF every work.
man becoming capitalist by saving for
itA own sake, and prepares the way for o
more general establishment OF co-opeEa.
ton. These are legitimate purposes and
results OF labor organizations. The organ
lEation over which have the honor TO
preside, by observing these principles Of
action, has, during. the past year,
satisfactorily adjusted grievances on
ten different Dads. While It did not re-
tain ALT he men desired in every instance
1t did, however, succeed In securing an
increase Of wages, and established rules
Tor their future protection. We do not
believe in asking for more than fair and
lust compensation, commemorate with the
services rendered. In all dealings with
the railway companies and the men, the
officers OF the Brotherhood endeayor TO be
governed by the golden rule, which Ia the
rule OF the BFotheEhood-"Do unto others
as ye would that others should do unto
YOU. We ConCede to every man the
same rights and privileges we claim for
ourselves. Following this principle, the
Brotherhood's relations with the railway
officials are OF the most friendly character,
The members employed upon the Texas
Pacific and Missouri Pacific roads and
leased lines acted In heroic and manly
way during the strikes inaugurated by the
Knights OF Labor upon those roads, They
were threatened, In order TO induce them
to abandon their engines and Join the
strikers, but they remained firm and true
to the contract made with the company,
winning for themselves and the Brother
hood at large the respect and admiration |
OF all iair.minded men. Their loyalty and |
devotion to principle have convinced rail.
way managers that contract with the
Brotherhood will be kept inviolate, and
they will not hesitalein the future to enter
into one when circumstances required 1t.
But labor organizations, like oil other
human agenCies, have Limitation TO their
proper field OF activity, II their legiti-
mate and primary purpose be the i'm
by association and ergauiza-
lion OF their members, both as men and
IS workmen and the securing for them
by united action fair return for their
labor and healthful conditions OF work, 1t {
IOllows that when any organization goes
beyond these primary and legitimate pur. a
poses 1t becomes to that extent something !
more than labor organization, and It
must expect 10 bs criticised and Judged
ly It's actions. Thus an organization
which makes nominations for public OF.
Ices Ia a political organization. No mat. /
or II 1t Is made up only OF men who are h
II 1t does what political d
organization does, 1t thereby becomes a
political organization, and as Buch 1t will /
10 and ought to be judged, When It
caches thus point II becomes subject OF |
discussion and criticism from political
,oiut OF view, and not as labor organizA. c
ion pure and simple.
Tho question whether labor orgRniEa. i
ion ought to become also political Or 4
,anization is one that the members !
must answer for themselves. The
Brotherhood OF Locomotive Enginesrs Ia /
! labor organization pure aud simple, and 1
las had no inclination TO convert itself In.
O political body. 1t has consequently t
net with none OF thoss difficulties which d
AVE overLaken some other organizations. !
10 mans politics enters the order, and i
no order has not had any dissensions {
bout theories OF government which have 4
others. 1t is as citizens and
Tot % engineers that the men study these j
luestions and vote on them-every one as
10 pleases; and 1t Is as engineers and men :
II trustworthy character, and not asvoters,
hat they are members Of the Brother.
rood. Tho experience OF the Brotherhood
u dealing with the question Of wages and c
he hours OF work, and all the questions !
hat arise between employer and employee, !
las been satisfactory; and this being so, !
he purely social and political questions, {
think, ought to be dealt with as purely ,
ocial and political questions, and from
ny point Of view they do not form part
Il the labor question, properly considered,
1t all. ?. NJ. ARTHUR, |;
Grand Chief Of the Br. OF Loco. Eng.