New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-16
RAILROAD INTERESTS.
THE BALTIMORE AND OHIO RELIEF FUND
EMPLOYEES NOT COMPELLED TO JOIN TIE AS
OVERWHELMING INSURANCE
COMPANIES.

pal,lpnnre Anrr IL ispeciaD while the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad officials here deny knowledge OF
any concerted movement tho part OF the employees
against the relief insurance scheme, they eint that
there has been some dissatisfaction among the men
over the matter. The employees in the yards and at
the Mount Clare shops of tho company say that tncy
have not heard Of the reported movement among
tho men on the Western divisions and whIle somo
say that they do not like the Insurance plan OF inc
company others say that they are not opposed 70 w.
and will not do any such rash thing as TO go INTO
strike against IT. II is known that many OF tho hen
aro opposed 10 the company assessing their wages
for Insurance. While not forced TO Join the renef
association Il is said that they are generally given
70 understand by the forcmcn and older employees
that IL viii improve their interests with the company
TO DO members VI It. The idea ohgnafed with John
W. Garrett and when first put into execution caused
8 bitter feeling among the men. At the request OK
labor organizations and without any opposition nom
the Baltimore and Ohio Company, the last LesiS
lature repealed the charter Of tho Baltimore and ohio
Railroad Relief Association in Maryland. The asso
citation then asked for years time to close out the
concern which was granted. The rnllcf ASSOCIATION
is now operated department OF the baiumo~
and Ohio Company under its general act OF incon
poratlon but the officials claim that there Is no COM
pulsIOn about It,
Pittsburg April 10 tspecaD.-At the Offices of the
Pennsylvania Company, which operates the Pennsyl,
Il was stated to-day that It viii DO optional with the
employes whether they do or do not become mem-
bcrs OF the Relief Fund which IS about to bo In
stituted There Is therefore no danger OF o STRIKE
Among tho baltimore and Ohio men tho situation Is
different, as they secm to feel that membership is
compulsory and several employees at the Glcnwood
yaris and shops have quit work rather than Join.
Chicago, April 15.-It Is charged that the threat
ened strike against the insurance system OF the Bati
moro and Ohio Railroad Company by its employees Is
being fonented by agents OF life insurance companies
SUPERINTENDENT 4. II. Brtion said to-day: "The In.
suranco men are trying 10 stir up disscnson among
our army OF employees; but they Will not succeed for
there is not any general dissatisfaction We no not
compel the employees 10 sign the insurance agreement
and will not do so, although all employees arc ex'
pected TO Join. Tho paper has been circulated
for signatures, and some have declined to put mer
names down. That's all right. They will not be
discharged, and never expected TO be- The hto
insurance men, believe, have a big hand In this
scheme, to create trouble Any one can readily 500
that our ystom Of lfo insurance Injuries their busi
ness, and this Is frantic effort to stop tho spreei
of It. But the Pennsylvania and Burlington roaas
have already adopted 10 and other lines are consider.
ing die advisabllIty OF doing so. Not ono IN
ten refuses 10 Sign. / took trip along me
line recently aud did not sec or r hear
Is scarcely a month but what we eSnend more tns s
we receive and the road has frequently male up inc
deficit besides giving $4,000 year to the sssoca-
tion'
Mr. Britain explained that over 100000 had been
paid out In benefits since the organization o! me ASSOC
citation In $780, Several OF the employees OF the COM
pany were questioned In regard TO tho scheme Some
OF thcm members OF tho association, haVing rs
they said Joined Of their own accord ana were Greatly
NOT hoard of any order 10 one them to Join, and did
not believe any such order had been issued.