Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-02-04


''any very strong unions Of flfemen and
brakemen, that Is, in comparison to the
Brotherhood Of Locomotive Engineers;
but If this circular is not soon withdrawn
we will have perfectly invulnernble
unions. The fremen nre more afraid Of
this attack than the engineers, because
they know that their labor Is not skilled,
and their positions are placed in greater
jeopardy thereby. This fact has made
the men very bitter and very determined,
and they might cause the road direct
pecuniary loss, although it is not prob
able.
II have just come up from Phila-
delphia," said the fireman, "and been
feeling the pulse of the men. They all
believe that the road will, as soon as the
men enter the fund, propose fresh clauses
and new restrictions, so as to hold them
wholly in its power. The tiremen believe
that the object is to hold down all labor,
and the engineers are Of the opinion that
1t is a shot against their own organiza-
| ton"
ticket agent said that his co.workers
had also held small secret meetings on
| sent their views to an executive committee
in Philadelphia.
| "rhis is the first time, i" the agent said,
'that men in our line of work have
| thought II necessary to work hand in
hand with the other men on the road.
| But we know ii is absolutely necessary.
| There have been stories current that our
| salaries were to be reduced, and this
rumor, coming just previous to this effort
to bind us tighter to the road, has made
us determined to form unions, and the
strongest union we can form is one which
| will be assisted, as in case like this, by
the Brotherhood of Engineers.
II am informed" said the agent, "that
the Central Labor Union of New York
and the Knights of Labor have taken the
question in hand, and will do their best
to leave the road powerless as soon as the
strike is inaugurated. While was sell.
ing tickets to-day l heard two high
officials in the road talking over the
matter. One of them said that the me1
didn't know what was good for them, and
the other one said that he hoped they
would enter the fund for the roads
benefit
THE OTHER SIDE.
Mondays Philadelphia Eoenfng Tele
graph contained the following: Officer
/ Va NhAN Afohah AhhAliOuu OOnhlhh0
say to-day that already half of the mel
in the service of the company have ap
piled for the benefits of the relief depart
ment. A dispatch received from thu
superintendent of the Pittsburg division
this morning said that he had received
1000 applications, and had knowledge o
as many more, making rs per cent of tn,
force, who have signifed their intention
to become members. On the Philadel
phia division 5S1 freight handlers, station
employees, &C., being so per cent of al
such worlmen, have applied for member
ship, and so per cent of the train hand
have also joined the movement. Tn
same proportion is reported on the Ne,
York division. 1t was also stated that s
per cent of the force of freight handler
and others at the station Mt Broad stree
and Washington avenue sent in their re
quests for membership to-day. Genera
Superintendent Provost said that he an
other officers of the company were SUI
prised at the rapidity with which the az
plications had been received.