The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-10-18
IN THE RANKS OF LABOR.
THE LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS IN
SESSION AT RICHMOND.

Chief Arthur Max es a Speech Review
ing the Progress Made by the Order
During the Past Year - The Total
Divisions now 3o4-A Total Member
ship of 25, 900.
RICHMOND, VA, Oct 1.-THE twenty
fifth annual international convention of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers was
called to order this morning at o'clock, in
Belvidere hall, by P. M. Arthur. grand
chief engineer.
Various committees were appointed for
the purpose of effecting a preliminary or
ganization, after which a recess was taken
until 2:3O o'clock
The convention consists of 1917 delegates,
nearly all of whom are present. About 400
visiting engineers are already IN the CITY,
and others are constantly arriving. Public
exercises were held in the Richmond thea
ter this afternoon. The theater was packed
with members Of the brotherhood and leir
friends. The stage was Handsomely deco
rated with ported plants and evergreenS,
while immediq tely in front was a magnif-
cent floral design of locomotive.
j. H. Monday acted as master of ceremo-
MES.
Mayor J. Taylor Ellison delivered the
addr SIS of welcome.
Gov. Fitzhugh Lee extended greeting
in behalf of the state.
Col \. Y. Buford, president of the Vir-
ginia Western and Tennessee Midland rail
road, characterized the assemblage as an
army of business men making record
which the coming generation would give
them credit for, if the present did not.
Henry T. Wickham, solicitor of the
Chesapeake and Ohio railroad, welcomed
the brotherhood in behalf of the local
division and railroad.
N. L. Sergeant, grand master OF the loco
motive firemen, also spoke. after which
Grand Chief p M. Arthur, of the locomo-
tive engineers, delivered the annual address.
CHIEF ARTHUR's ADDRESS.
In the course of his address Mr.. Arthur
said:
Thirtytwo new divisions have been estab-
lished in the past year. and we have now 1874
divisions, located at different points, from
Manitoba TO Mexico and from Nova Scotia to
California-giving us grand total
of $4,000 members All are in thriving
condition and full of zeal for the common
cause. That the organization has been good
thing for all concerned is demonstrated by its
long standing through every vicisStude; that
the effort we have made TO raise the standard
of labor in our own particular department has
succeeded beyond our most sangulne eXpecta-
tions. orr members will affirm, while the public
press and our railroad corporations, with few
deserved commentator.
SUCCESSFUL ADJUsTER.
Chief Arthur said that he had been called
upon during the past year to adjust differ
ences between the men and officers on many
roads, and in each case an honorable and
amicable adjustment had been effected. He
should never regard the Chicago, Burling
ton and Quincy s:rikeas failure, except on
the part of the road. 1t would serve to purge
the brotherhood of the dangerous element
and to add largely to its members. 1t was
extremely mortifying,h he said, to think that
any members of the organization should so
far forget themselves as TO become involved
IN any scheme or plot to destroy life and
property. The brotherhood condemns all
acts Of lawlessness, and will punish the
guilty.
The chief also denounced the agencies
employed to lncite men to deeds of violence.
He closed by expressing his heartfelt graft
tude for the support given him and the or
ganization during the past year.