New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-09-23
BROTHERHOOD AND, FEDERATION.

Federation is the most important and inter-
o.t;no subject which the Brotherhood of Loco
,,ot;,. rnpincers will have to discuss at Its
convention next month in Pittsburg. 1t mas
bccn the subject of so much private ana Ill
formal discussion already that many OF thoSe
who will be present as delegates must nave
,o,chcd conclusions which will not be easily
shaken. The result is evidently deemed yer!
uncertain. though it may he inferred from
statements made by Chief Arthur on Sund'!
that bc is rather fearful OF "a vote to enter mo
como twisting federation of labor. lie does not
hesitate to declare his strong opposition 10 s"cn
n courso and his great influence will be eXertcd
70 nrcvcnt its adoption. 1t is said that, in gen
o,,l Western members of the Bro'hcrhoo"
favor the idea and Eastern members OPPOSE IL
but no confident prediction OF the OUTCOME n'e'
been made. ..,,,.,
MIR. Arthur's argument is that the s'relI'n
and character of the Brotherhood are SUCH ''"'
any alliance would be sacrifice at inc o"'''''
and that the inevitable diversity OF interests
,vould produce constant deterioration anu coh-
t;n,ons injury. We do not think ne over
estimate, the position and reputation Oh MS
order when he saws that no class OF oreahl%co
,.Lnr mr. nnorcanzcd either. is stronger than
rho brotherhood of Locomotive EnGincerS'
has not always escaped evil counScls nor "\o'"'
I'd foolish acts: but it has undoubtedly OH '','
whole becn well advised and we'll cond't'eu'
has become substantially prosperous anu vi,
ioy, public respect in Il high degree. ror an
~. i i largely indebted 10 the solllid jug
,,,on+ and discretion and the generally con
scrvative and honorable administration oil VIZ
,rthnr amonc whose qualifications FOR inc
orco no fills an admirable gift Of silence Is CON
spicuous. ,.,d;,;o, and
.o,,,,to of tho brotherhood with the present de-
r,nr,lization and disgrace of the kniIntS vi
Labor it is no wonder that ne diS'i",'H "'
dyeadS entering upon any scheme OF ieue'"''o"
whatsoever. Credentials as locoho'Ne c'
qinecr do not supply an absolute guarantee V.
sobriety. intelligence and scf-rc-pco o'' ''e!
do nevertheless, universally suggest INC Po>
.oss;on Of those qualities, and create Sf"hR
nresumntion in favor Of the man WI" pears
| them. This certainly cannot he sara o' ,no''
other labor organizations; we 40 ITO. '|''
thot II ran he said with equal emphasis OF Ill!
o,hor. ,t the present rate OF degeneration "'
~ xn;cbts Of Labor it will not be long before
,,onhnrsbin in a District Assembly VIII carr!
with it a precisely opposite implications ''.''.
| ,ho borriblc accusations just br"neh' "-''"''
one Of the leaders of that order hay" not
,,ho,bcr truc or false caused profound aston
;.hment so far "a we are able t. discern
Tho.c observations arc not meant ~ >lsH'H'
= nossibi,ity that the brotherhood ron'n ever
mdor any conccivabl" circumstances w ~
Iucod to ion forces and fortunes WIN 'h'
Tn;g-,,s but merely to indicat" tn" elements
.'.ool,ress and the danger Of disgrace whlc
are inscparablc from all! ofS'','1,''I ,a',o.
puts its faith in numbers instead OF cna' ;,tn,
The engineers will incur great i'sHs M''"on
compensation if they surrender 'h''r ,n'' nn;'
cnce and subject their interests 10 inc "''"''
and prcjudces CT their interiors