The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-04
THE RAILROAD RELIEF PLAN.
The New System of the Pennsylvania Com
pany Successfully Begins Business.

Tne new system OF the pennsylvania Com
pany Successfully Begins Business.
Philadelphia Times.
The new relief department of the Pennsyl-
vanla railroad went into operation yesterday
The main Office is located at Trenton. j. A.
Anderson is the superintendent and Holmes D.
Ely his assistant. The payment of contributions
and the title to benefits will not begin until the
10Th OF the present month.
1t has been stated that considerable opposition
to this scheme of mutual insurance by the COM
pany has developed among the employees, and
that the locomotive engineers, conductors and
brakamen, who have separate organizations in
which beneficial features exist, were not in favor
OF IL Careful inquiry at various points In the
city among railroad employees as we'll as promi-
nent officials, failed to confirm this report
A brakeman at the Broad street station said
he had heard of no opposition whatever to the
lower grade employees, who did not fully under
stand the objects and aims OF the new depart
ment
One of the leading officials of the road at the
same time said: 'There is absolutely no truth in
the report that there is widespread dissatisfac-
ton among the employees relative to the relief
department.. Out of the twelve hundred men in
this city at the various stations ninety per cent
of them have applied for membership up to noon
to-day. and the applications are pouring in to
such an extent that fully ninety-ive per cent of
the entire number will be enrolled by tomorrow
night"
A station master said: II have heard of no dis
satisfaction. man is very foolish who would
not insure his life with the company that en-
poyed him, especially when that company is the
indorser of his policy. That makes its payment
absolutely certain"
Down at the Fourth-street Office, in the city
where there Is an army of clerks, prominent
official said. ut is natural there should be some
'kickers' among the forty thousand employees of
the PENNSYLVANIA road east of Pittsburg and
Erie The new department is not only intended
to reach all OF the employees, but their families
as well, which wonld swell the number to be
benefited to nearly quarter of million people,
1t would not be human nature If somebody did
not oppose the best and wsest scheme ever de-
vised by man to benefit his fellow man. The
conductors, brakemen and locomotive engineers
discussed the question in all its bearings in their
meetings last Sunday, and, while there are few
individual objections here and there, there is no
organized opposition whatever. On the contrary,
the men from every division are applying
through their superintendent, and there have
been no advices received from any quarter show
ing olsaHecton worth speaking of. The only
understanding seems to be among some of
the men, who have not given the circular close
attention. that 1T is compulsory. This is not So
The employees have six months to think it over
before they make up their minds to JOIN or to let
it alone"
Gould a man remain an employee of the Penn
sylvanla railroad without becoming attached to
the relief department." was asked
Certainly" was the reply. HE would be
thought just as much Of as long as he faithfully
performed his duties In case Of contest be-
tween two men for promotion, all things else be-
ing equal. the one who was not attached to the
relief department might not fare as we'll as the
one who had placed more faith in the company
by insuring his life therein"