Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-08-14
Combine.
A GLIMPSE AT THE WORK DONE
AT ST. LOUIS.
THE EFFECT WILL BE
il Pooling of Interests by the Engineers,
Fhemcn, switchmen and Brakemen
VIII Be Ratiied-The Combi-
nation One of Strength.

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 13.-Nearly every
member of the Brotherhood of Locomo-
tive Engineers who participated in the
Druids' hall conference has left the city.
A few sat about the corridor of the La.
clede hotel discussing the quadrangular
combine The arrangement by which
q pooling OF. interests was effected be-
tween the engineers, flremen, brake
men and switchmen was generally
approved, and it was stated that
it would be ratified, beyond a
doubt, by the grand lodges of each of
these orders. The chairmen of the var
ions grievance committees will immedi-
ately send to the chairman of the divis-
ion grievance committees an authorized
statement of the proceedings at the con-
ference, and by them it will be at once
communicated to the men at their regu-
lar brotherhood division meetings. Said
one engineer: 1.-THE Burlington strike
was the only Il of Importance the
Brotherhood has ever lost, If, indeed,
they have lost that one. The strike was
not made with the entire APP
proval of Grand Chief Engineer
Arthur, but by our charter, the
grievance committee on the Burlington
had a right to order it, and their action
was sustained by the Brotherhood. A
principal object of discussion at the st.
Louis meeting was the elimination from
the Brotherhood constitution of the
clause, which forbids concerted action
with other branches of the railway SER
vice. The engineers have heretofore
held themselves aloof from all labor
troubles that were not entirely and dis
tinctly their own, and have given neither
aid or encouragement to strikes among
other classes of employees. This clause
In the constitution, after a deal Of argu-
ment, was finally modified SO as to per-
NIT the union in matters pertaining to
railway troubles. This union has long
been fought by the switchmen, firemen
and brakesmen, aud at length they have
gained their point. That it will be one
of colossal strength admits of no doubt.
Ii places the cause of organized labor in
a position to demand o respectful hear
ing from any road, for in the event of q
refusal to amicably settle matters on fair
terms, nearly every man concerned in
the running of trains can Immediately be
called out.
Said another: 'tThe Burlington has
lost 1000, 600 since the beginning of
the strike. The losses have been in de-
creased business, which has been de-
fected to rival roads by friends of labor,
and by injury to locomotives and rolling
stock by the employment of incompetent
men. A first-class locomotive costs So
600, n it may be SO damaged by the
burning of 1ues, or otherwise, that a
single run will necessitate a general over
hauling at q cost Of hundreds of dollars
A gentleman, not a member of the
railway service, but who has been an in
terested observer of the actions of the
convention, said yesterday hat the con,
certed action plan, If adhered to, would
be the death knell of the Brotherhood.
That organization, under Mr.. Arthur's
conservative management, had been re.
garded by the people generally with
favor, and this high estimate would be
ended when it was known that he had
placed himself, partially or wholly, III
the hands of such hot-headed leaders
as the switehmen's strike at Chicago
had brought to the front, Things
had now reached q crisis, and tn.
first collision between an offending rail
way and the new sscombinen will be
watched by the business interests of the
country as most important and liable t,
jeopardize trade and travel. A revolu
ton in popular opinion that would ARA,
the people against the railway employees
| would have a powerful effect in produc
ing a conciiiating policy or dreadful
l bloodshed.