The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-26
RAILROAD MATTERS.
The BurIinston RniIrond Enr,nee

H.t NbtiF0bo EnEtmetr&.
CnicAoo. ILL.,, Feb. 25.-0n the Burling-
ton road this morning everything is run
ming rs usual, and II Is now stated that the
threatened strike OF the engineers and fro
men, II Il occurs at all, will not take place
for several days yet Tho delegates who
have been here presenting the mems do
mands 20 the officers Of the road, left for
their homes yesterday without having ac-
complishcd their mission. but before a
strike can occur their report will have 10
DO heard and adopted by tho different
lodges. One Of the delegates Is from Colo
RADIO aud viii not reach Denver before to-
night The officers Of the Burlington road
have drawn up an elaborate reply 10 the
mems demands embodying their reasons
for refusal. the changes asked for by the
committee and the schedule Of wages paid
by the Chicago, Burlington 4 Quincy.
This reply says that in substance the de-
mands made by the mon were:
]. Pay 10 be governed solely by miles
run without regard 10 other conditions or
circumstances.
2. An average increase OF pay.
J. The abolition OF classification based
upon length OF service, AGO or experience.
4. No more examinations or tests except
such n are agreed upon by the general
manager and general grievance committee.
To thoee the road says:
i. That the present system Il In force
upon many important roads in This country,
and Is preferred because Il IL the best one
10 fairly provide for differences In the
amount OF labor, time and responsibility
required by enginemen upon different
runs. The trip basis, In Wow OF all the
varying conditions, covers value received.
An arbitrary mileage basis disregards the
value OF the service rendered, and In the
long run, we fear, would be unsatisfactory
10 the men and 20 the company. For ex-
ample: On the Galesburg division Of the
Chicago, burlington q Quincy an engineer
on light passenger run Of Two cars be-
tween Buda and Vermont, under the
present schedule, earns in twenty ak days
sl23.50, aud the fireman S74.l0. Under
the schedule which you propose the en-.
ginccr would receive Sl7l.0S, and the Ere
man slOg.6l.
A number % examples like the above
are next given In the companys answer,
which then continues
9. Owing 10 the existing State and inter
state lava poor crops and cxlemely low
rates. a. well NJ a great multiplication Of
new lines, western roads aru pasdng
through n critical period. II IL at present
impracticablc 10 maintain rites that cover
the cost Of transportation. Railroad con-
slruciion has almost entirely ceased. Tho
rail mills and other factories find their bus
ines decreasing. tho demand for labor Il
increasing mud ways are likely 10 decrease.
AZ time when wasns arp tending down
ward cngincincn cannot expect more pay
unless they are undergrad now In compar.
ison with other wOrkingIncn.
al Atprc-cnt we have one ratio Of paw
Zoe engineers Just promoted from frcmon,
which continues ono year. In the second
year of service M engineer an advance In
pay Is given. On the expiration Of the
second year further advance 10 full en-
ginccrs pay u given. The schedule pro-
posed by tho committee does away with
this classification, andjnsisis upon full pay
ior every man % soon "a he runs an engine.
To properly conduct IL buAincss tho com
pany must be the judge 81 what are the
most economical runs for iis cngincs and
any claim by IT, employees 10 decide where
division terminates shall DO made. cannot
DO allowed. The company must reserve
absolutely the right 10 ascertain, by what
ever examinations II may think advisable,
whether It's employees Of all classcs are
capable Of fulfilling the duties they under
take, and the public also demand that the
railroad company shall take every percau-
ton 10 employ only those mon who can
safely perform tho work entrusted 10
them.
TN conclusion, W. would say that
while W. cannot gc our way 10 accepting |
your committees proposals, We expect 10 |
pay n much NJ our ncirhbors for similar |
services, and We are ready ut any time 10 |
take up the question Of warcs and adjust
amy inequalities In our schedule that may /
lc shown 10 exist We eannot, ~ We at
tempted, adopt n h,sia which says That
ono 100 mile run should be paid tho salnc
~ another 100 mile run regardless OF the /
ehoIt and the ability rcquircd and the dii-
hcullics 10 be overcome ON each"
This report h signed by Henry b Stone,
general manager of the Burlington q. L.
lloldridvr. general Manager OF tic bur
hnglon 4 Missouri Iiscr road W. y.