The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-03-15

by the Brotherhood explains itself
To TIE PUBLIC:-OWin9 to the re-
ports that are being circulated in re
gard to the attitude Of the locomotive
engineers and firemen in the present
strike which new exists. and there be-
ing tendency on the part of the press
to endorse the stand taken by the rail
way company, we deem it necessary il
our own behalf to state the two organi-
Zations which are engaged in the pres
emit trouble are composed OF conservative
men and are ready and willing now,
and have been, to meet the officers OF
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy "a il
pute. They, the Brotherhood. are not
only willing to do this through their
executive officers, but are also willing
to place the whole matter in the hands
of three DISTINGUISHED railroad man
ayers and abide by their decision.
Now, in all candor we would ask any
honest thinking man-if the organiZa-
tions already mentioned can do any
more and maintain the privileges
granted them by the con-
stitution of the United Statesf
If this trouble still continues
and the public at large suffer on ac-
COuhO OA b1O bcA4A4O9 OAO DAc4A44C LAu6B 1CSs
where it belongs, and that is with the
parties who refuse to arbitrate.
[Signed] By the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers and Firemen.
NO SIGN OF ALTERATION.
KANSAS CITY, March S.-The crisis
of the affairs of the Kansas City, Fort
Scott & Gulf system which was expect
ed to eliminate in a strike to-day has
been delayed. Chairman Hiscock. of
the grievance committee, arrived here
to-day and has sent out by telegraph a
call for a meeting of the full committee
to be held here tomorrow, when the
looks very much as though the strike
will come, as the company shows no
sign of altering its attitude of willing
ness to accept "Q'' freight.
It has sent out none yet
but is transferring considera-
BILE of it into its own cars. The secret
meeting of the chairmen of the
grievance committees of the Chicago
& Alton, Rock Island, Wabash, Santa
Fe. Missouri Pacific. and Union Pacific
roads ended here this evening and the
members have departed. Nothing
whatever is known of what was dis
cussed or accomplished.
General Superintendent Dickinson,
of the Union Pacific, was here to-day
looking over the situation. He
said that he was unable
to say whether or not his
road would accept 20" freight
or not. He met officials of the Union
Pacific and the Fort Scott. The local
engineers and firemen on the Rock
Irland switch engines in the Hannibal
yards here are still out under orders of
the local committee, who claim that
tho RnnIr TOion6 hos hnnn crifahiro
20" cars. Only three or four men are
affected. The 20" is under contract
to do the switching for the Rock Island
here, and the employment of these
men was neceSSitated by the inability
of the 20" to do switching.
REFUSE 90 FREIGHT.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo-, March SIN ac-
cordance with the policy of the Rock
Island system as enunciated in Gen
eral Manager st. Johns letter, the
local agent of the Rock Island to-day
refused to handle ''Q' freight offered
Hannibal & st. Joe road.
THE UNION PACIFIC CIRCULAR.
OMAHA. Neb.. March S.-General
Manager Kimball has issued a circular
letter to the engineers in the employ of
the Union Pacific railroad calling their
attention to the changes affected in the
responsibilities of railroads by the in
ter-state commerce law. and the re-
sponsibilities of the employees of roads
engaged in interstate traffic. The
Burlington strike was not referred to,
but the circular is understood to be is
sued to remind the engineers of the
liability Of the Union Pacific if it re-
fused to receive Burlington freight,
and the danger of an action against en-
gineers themselves for conspiracy. An
official of the Union Pacific was asked
what his road would do in case the en-
gineers refused to handle Burlington
freight. He said the company, to pro-
tect Itself against the penalties of the
Interstate law, would have to order it
done or quit. There was rumor last
night that the Burlington brakemen
were on the verge of strike. A brake
man, when asked about it, said: "The
men are getting discontinued. Wheth-
er they will strike or not cannot say.
The trouble is because they are afraid
to run with green engineers.
REFUSED TO PULL A STOCK TRAIN.
ELDORADO, Kas., March q.-At a
meeting here of the Brotherhood of
locomotive engineers and firemen of
the Missouri Pacific. it was resolved to
stand by the brethren in the warfare
against the "Q'' road, and Chief
Arthur was notified the men on this
line were at its service ready to go out
if necessary. An engineer to-day re-
fused to pull out Burlington cars load
ed with stock, and the car was side
tracked and lett.
CHICAGO. March 9.-The attitude of
the Brotherhood at this juncture, SAID
Chief Arthur this afternoon when
some time subsequent to Judge Gresh-
ans postponement of action he was
asked to to define his position, is prac-
tically identical with this statement
which has appeared most OPPORTUNITY.
Mr.. Arthur had in his hand the fol-
lowing clipped from this mornings
Chicago Tribune, which paper has
heretofore opposed the stand taken by
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy en-
gineers: LET arbitration prevail.
Now that there is danger of the trOuss
BILE between the engineers Brotherhood
and the Chicago Burlington s. Quincy
extending to other lines and INJECTING
untold injury on the commerce of the
west its time to renew the inquiry
whether this entire difficulty cannot
be speedily and peaceably settled by
arbitration. The engineers claim that
the question in issue relates mainly to
the payment on the Chicago, Burling-
ton s. Quincy line of the wages allowed
on other frst-class lines for like ser
vices while the railroad officials as
persistently assert that the disputed
points relate to the discipline and con-
troll of the employees. If the question
is simply one of wages there would
seem no reason why the 20" with it IS
great business and profits should not
pay it's engineers for equal service as
much as any other line similarly sit
uated. On the other hand if the sys-
tenn of classification and graded pay
contributes in any degree to reward in
individual merit and give promotion to
men displaying great skill, it should be
retained. The question is this, then:
Does the issue between the Brother
hood and railroads relate merely to pay
or to discipline of the servicep
That certainly is a fair question
for arbitration, and it can be deter
mined by careful inquiry by board of
arbitration In a manner just to both
parties. Let a resort be made to arbi-
tration and the threatened injury to
business be averted. Something must
be done to protect the public from the
injury inflicted by railroad strikes and
blockades."