Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-02-27
4 FEW DAYS DELAY Is PROMISED.


road have drawn'up an elaborate reply to
the mems demands, e~mbodying their
reasons for refusal; the changes asked for
by the committee aud the schedule OF
wages paid by the Chicag', Burlington
and Quincy.
DEMANDS OF H MsN.
The reply says that, in substance, the
demands made by the men were:
FIrst-Pay to be governed solely by
miles run, without regard to other condi-
tons or circumstances.
Seeond-Au average increase of pay.
Third-The abolition Of classification
based upon length of service, age or expsri-
ence.
.Fourth-NO more examinations or tests
exceptsuch asare agreed upon by the Gener-
al Manager and the General Grievance
Committee.
REPLY OF THE ROAD.
To these the road SAYS:
Flrst-That the present system is in
force upon many important roads in this
country, and is preferred because it is the
best one 10 fairly provide for differences in
the amount Of labor, time and respOn-
sloility required by engine men upon diff
terept runs. The trip basis, in view Of all
the varying conditions, covers value re-
ceived. An arbitrary mileage basis destroys
the value Of the service rendered and
IN the long run, we feaI it would be uu-
satisfactory to the men and to the Com
pany. For example:
On the Gslesburg division of the Chica-
20 Rurlirr knD opA Op;noy op apu;~aar ~,
q light passenger run of two ears between
Buda and Vermont under the present sched-
ule, earns in twenty-six days 1923 90, and
the fireman $74.10. Under the schedule
which you propose the engineer would re-
ceiye $171.08, and the fireman $l02 81
A number OF examples like the above are
next given in the Company'sanswer which
then continues.
Second-Om wing to the existing
STATE AND INTERSTATE LAWS,
poor crops and extremely low rates, as
we'll as q great multiplication of new lines,
Western roads are passing through q crit
zeal period. 1t II at present impracticable
to maintain rates that cover the cost of
transportation. Railroad construction has
almost entirely ceased. The rail mills and
other factories fad their business decTeas-
ing, the demand for labor is decreasing,
and wages are likely to decrease at a time
when wages are tending downward. En-
gire men cannot expect more pay, unless
they are undergrad now in comparison
with other workingmen.
"Third-At present we have one rate OF
pay fer engineers Just promoted from fire.
men, which continues one year. IL the
second year Of service as engineer an ad-
vancement in pay is given. On the
expiration of the second year a fur
ther advance to full engineers pay
is given. The schedule proposed by the
committee does away with this classified
ton, aud insists upon full pay for every
mar IA soon as he runs an engine. To prop
erly conduct its business the company
must be the judge Of what is the most
economical run for its engines and any
claim by its employees to decide where diyis-
ion terminals shall be made,
CANEOT BE ALLOWED.
The company must reserve absolutely the
right to ascertain, by whatever examins-
ti0ns it NAV think advisable, whether its
employees, of all classes, are capable Of full
Glling tie duties they undertake, and the
public also demand that the railroad COM
pauy shall take every p]reclution to en-
ploy those, men who can safely perform
the work entrusted to them. In conclu-
sion, we would say that, while vi cannot
see our way to accepting your committees
proposals, we expect to pay al much
as our neighbors for similar services, and
we are ready at any time to take up the
question of wages, and adjust any Unequal
tiles in our schedule that may be shown
20 exist. We cannot, however, attempt
10 adopt a basis which says that one 100
mile run should be paid the same as au.
other 100 mile run, regardless Of the effort
and ability required and the difficulties to
to be overcome on each" This report is
signed by Henry B. Stone, General Mana
ger Of the Burlington; c. l.. Holdridge,
General Manager Of the Darlington and
Missouri River road; W. F. Merrill. Cen
eral Manager of the Hannibal and st. Joe
and by H, D. JudSon, General Superin-
tsndent of the Chicago and Iowa railway.
GENERAL STRIKE ORDERED.
Chief Arthur was asked this morning
about the proposed strike of the locomo-
tive engineers and fremen on the BuIling-
ton system. He said he had given his
consent TO a general strike, but that the
men would not lea7e their posts to-day.
He added that unless the difference be-
tween the men end the officials were adj
instsd before Monday morning, the loco
motive engineers and firemen would leave
their posts.
In connection with the threatened strike
there are reports that the Knights OF Labor
are waiting for just such an opportunity u
CRAFTY AN l. GRUDGE
against the Brotherhood, aud the fact that
The engineer Knights on the Reading sys-
tenn are idle may give them the chance.
In 1877 there was q strike of the Brother
hood engineers on the Reading. The oVga-
niz,tion was not as powerful at that time
as il is at present, It's men WORKED TO-
gether with Knights of Labor engineers,
and when they went oat the
knights remained at work and
the strike was lost. When the
nresent Reading strike commenced
fbere were only a few of the Knights
there who worked On it 1871. but II was
at once uoised about that the brothernooo
would furnish all the men necessary 70
run the Reading and defeat the knights
and thus 'get even" with them for their
offence of ten years ago. Knights of Labor
in this city now claim that there are some
brotherhood engineers Working on Inc
Reading. Chief Arthur denies this state
ment. He saws no man went to WORK In
Mace of the striking Knights with the
tnowiedus and consent OF the ofhcers.
The rest is for the company to decide.
They vii Q, 10.
|. CHICAGO, February 25. S. c. Whkin'
ann. of Peoria, Grand Master of the
brotherhood of R. R. Brakemen, reached
the city this afternoon and had a consnlta
-. ..;.h Chief Arthur. of the Engineers