Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-31
BACK TO THE BOXES.
Engineers Finish Their Annual Busi-
ness and Return to Run
ONCE MORE ON THE IRON HIGHWAY
Brotherhood Men Are Found in Every Land,
and Among Them Are
MANY WHO FILL POSITIONS OF TRUST

has been practically brought to a close
Nearly one-half of the delegates returned
home last night, and those remaining will
finish up the business in an early session to
day.
The matter of greatest public interes
touched upon by the convention was regard
ing the federation OF the engineers with Other
organizations of railroad employees. It ha.
been generally understood that the question
of general federation was brought up
acted upon, and decided in the
negative. This is an error, as nc
proposition .looking to a general fedora.
tion was introduced. But the convention
considered the advisability of extending the
operation of system federation over another
year, and finally authorized members of the
Brotherhood to federate with other railroad
organizations within the confines of the
system over which they ran.
This in itself is a sufficiently important
concession. 1t is in pursuance of the policy
formulated at the Denver convention last
year, when system federation was first au-
thorized. Whether the engineers on any
section shall or shall not federate with their
fellows is a matter left to the members con-
cerned, and they can act in the matter as
they see fit. Neither may such afiliation
become of permanent character.
OBJECTS OF THE UNDERSTANDING.
It is understood to be for the purpose of
| cooperating with other organizations on
such occasions as render it necessary for the
welfare of the whole body of employees of
that road. Such instances would occur on
managers attempting the enforcement of ar
bitrary rules, etc., directed at the integrity
OF the union principle.
For every practical purpose this authori-
tative reimbursement of system federation
will be found as serviceable to the other Or
CARNATIONS as ifa general federation, extend
ing throughout the country, were permitted.
With the backing of the engineers, the Fed
Grafton of Railroad Employees would be
placed in position to approach system
superintendents with more assurance of
favorable hearing than if the Brotherhood
withheld its support, and there is reason to
believe that on such roads as system fedora
tion becomes in vogue there will be fewer
disputes ending in serious complications as
a result of this federation. System fed
Grafton, though, may not go into effect on
all roads.
The New York Central is credited with
being opposed to federation in any form.
This may be DUE and perhaps is, to the fact
that the Knights of Labor have a good many
members among the employees of that road.
The hostility of the Central engineers to that
body was emphasized during the recent
strike; so system federation on that road
may not be expected.
FRATERNAL FEELINGS MEAN MUCH.
Additional reason why the engineers of
the Central should continue to mind their
own business is found in the kindly
personal relations which exist between
the officials and the men. Sentiment
on this question is different OH the Pennsyl-
vania lines. Over this system. the engineers
and their fellow railroaders will cooperate
ehould occasion arise. There does not exist
the same friendly and cordial feeling be-
tween officials and employees on this road as
on the Central, and for other reasons, not
necessary to state at present, system fedora
tion will be accomplished over those lines.
The time for holding the annual meeting
was changed to May, because of the general |
inclemency of the season at this period of the |
year and the fact that in most large cities |
at this season expositions and conven-
tions are in progress, and crowd hotels |
to an uncomfortable extent. Though the |
delegates proper number only 406, visiting |
engineers and the fair relatives of the mem |
bers bring up the total number of visit |
ors.to the annual gathering to between 800 |
and 900 Accommodation for these is not al
ways to be obtained in large cities at this |
season. The want of large hall, with
proper conveniences, for just such purposes
as this convention, in this city, was never so
clearly illustrated as on this occasion. To |
enable the delegates to transact their busi-
ness, rough boards resting on improvised
trestIing had to be set up in
the largest available hall in town-the
old City Hall. Delegates complained,
and with cause, of the lack of adequate fa-
cilities for carrying on this work, and the
utter absence of ventilation was severely
felt. This fact, coupled with the unseason-
able weather. placed Pittsburg in an un-
favorable light before the visitors
THE NEW OFFICE CREATED.
A new Office was created by the election
of A. B. Youngson, of Meadville, to the
position of Assistant to the Grand Chief.
This was with the view of relieving Mr..
Arthur of much OF the necessity for travel
ing on visitations, etc.. duty which will
devolve on the assistant. This officer will
also have the thread of affairs we'll in hand
should Mr.. Arthur desire to retire at. or be-
.. !
The Grand Chief will not be allowed
to travel far from the den of the Brother
hood, and it will be sought to retain him as
General Counselor to the organization.
Three other elections were made: Ash
Kennedy, Of N. W. Ter, as Second Grand
Engineer; 1. D. Collins, of Atlanta, Ga, as
Third Grand Engineer; W. B. Husky, as
First Grand Engineer. and r. M. Clark as
Grand Guide.
Some of the officials have had long terms
Of service. The Grand Chief has been in
the Brotherhood for 25 years and II years
in his present Office. T. S. Ingraham is a
Brotherhood man Of % years standing and
Ii years Grand Engineer; De-
oss Everett is of equal standing
in point of years in the organization and
,hree years Second Grand Engineer; II. c.
Hays has entered his twenty-second year in
he Brotherhood, and has been in Office as
First Grand Assistant Engineer for five
years. Mr.. Hays also edits the official
'rgan of the Brotherhood, published at
Cleveland.
THE MEMBERSHIP FAST INCREASING.
The total membership of the order is :
z ,715. being an increase of g. ,337 during the
rear. This is marked gain over average
'ears, the annual rates OF increase being
800. and shows the steady growth in popu- [
aritv and power of the organization. The | :
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has
he widest spread mem mbership of anv
ingIe organization in the world. At {
he convention just closed delegates were {
present from British Columbia, historic Old ,
Mexico, Portland, Ore, the lower Provinces ,
f Canada, and the Gull. There are mem.
,ers in the Old Country-some still running
thers engaged in various pursuits in