Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1889-04-20
WILL NOT PAY TO STRIKE.
b. 81 O. EMPLOYEES NOT READY FOR
SUCH A MOVE.

/ The despatch in The american
yesterday from Chicago stating that
the men along the line OF the Balti-
more and Ohio were dissatisfied with
the compulsory features OF the relief
association aud that general strike
might result, caused much talk
among railroad people in this city.
The officials of the road, though they
refused to talk much about it to out.
siders, thought over it and talked
about it among themselves. Ii the
strike should come, it win be started
in Pittsburg and Chicago by the en-
gineers, aud will, of course, extend
east. Though the Eastern men
might not be in sympathy with it, If
the brotherhood of Engineers should
countenance the strike it would be
necessary for the Eastern men to
take a part in it. The strike could
not begin among the conductors,
brakemen, baggagemen or trainmen
of any kind, because they have no
organization worthy OF a name.
This contract is as Objectionable
to them as it is to the engineers. but
they are compelled to stand it. One
man, in speaking OF the prospects Of
trouble and OF their inability to do
anything, said:
"Catch me going out. There are
too many men wanting my place.
"All the men, said one, "obiect.
ed to joining the relief association
but what are we going to do about
its You either sign or lose your
place. Ii you don't want to work for
the company, of course you needn't
sign. I've paid my 80 for eight
years and haven't gotten any bene-
fit from it,"
Then he went on and compared
the old relief association with the
present one. The old plan was
better than this one. We used to
get 81 900 at death, and now it is
only $500; then il we were sick six
days, we would receive a benefit, and
now We have to be sick twelve days
before we get a cent"
The officials of the company deny
most positively that the men are
compelled to sign contract to Join
the relief association, while the men
assert equally as positively that they
must sign that contract or be dis
charged.
NO DISPOSITION TO STRIKE.
A special dispatch to The Amer.
can from Cumberland shows the feel.
ing and belief among the men there.
1t says "There is no disposition
to strike among the B. & o. EN-.
ployes at the rolling mill or at the
shops. In fact the men have all
signed the new feature except one
man at the rolling mill and one at
the shops. Both these will not sign.
The employees in this generally are
opposed to the new compulsory in-
surance, but claim if they refuse to
sign they will have to give up their
positions, which they cannot afford,
and say, owing to the slack of work
here, there is not the slightest dan
ger of strike. 1t is reported that
a number OF the employees at Pied
mont, West Virginia, have refused
to sign.n ag
WHAT 1T COSTS THE MEN.
A despatch from Pittsburg says !:
The dissatisfaction extends along
the full line from Philadelphia. to
Chicago. On the Chicago Division
the men were given until to-day to
decide whether they will join the in.
surance company or be discharged.
By the present plan the employees
are classified and pays according to
the salary he receives. A man who
receives S35 month pays 80 per
month; one who receives 500 a
month about SO, and so on. An
engineer who makes $3.50 per mouth
now pays Sc for the same time,
against a rate of s. in the old relief
association. Before, the family of
any member of a train crew killed
while on duty received $4,000. Now
they will only get 81, 800. In a sim
liar manner the amount paid for the
death of a switchman, yardman, &C.,
killed on duty has been reduced
from $1,000 to 500, and for a natnr.
al death from $500 to $3.50, but the
rate per month was lowered from
S1.50 to S1.-INeSday's American