The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-14
Yardmen Of the Northern Pacific
Thought Their Chief Had
Been Dismissed.
A Grievance Committee Sent to
Missoula to Interview Supt.
8. q. Ramsey.
Not n SIGN Of . Strike ut the North
ern Pacific Yards In
Helena.

Yardmastor j. H.. McDermots toit0 III
about tho 'striks" which a morning paper
says may come off at the Northern Paclhc
wards in Helena il the differences between
the railroad company and Its employees are
not amicably settled. Last week Mr.. NC
Dermott, who Is a member of the Brother
hood of Railway Trainmen, won't to Mis-
soula. The statement that he was called
there by superintendent Ramsey is
incorrect. Mr.. NcDsrmott says he
vent to Missoula to get a cer-
tihcate which will entitls him TO
admission in the grand lodge of the order
which is to meet at GnlssburR, ILL.,, ON the
fifth Of next month. Endorsed on the GER
tiAoate, over the signature of Superintsnd-
! emit Ramsey, is Mr.. McDermott's official po-
| rition on the road and that he has thirty
/ DAYS leave OF absence to attend the grand
lodge. A few days ago tho superintendent
| sent a Mr.. Gaines to Helena with = letter to
Mr.. MoDermott, saying it wasths intention
of the company to place him in charge OF
| the yards. Tn letter also asked the yard
master to show the new man about ana
make him familiar with the place. This
| Mr., McDermott did. The arrival OF Mr..
| Gaines and the news that he was to have
charge of the yard filled the "boys." as MIR.
McDsrmott calls them, with suspicion.
s"rhat means that Mao is going to be
fred" they said. They knew OF no reason
why their chief should be dismissed, and
had heard of no complaints. In the mean
time Mr.. NoDermott held his position, and
still does. A meeting was called on Satur-
day of S. G. Ramsey Lodge Of the Brother
l.-- - ALn Nor<hay, paOifN donnE and A
grievance committee we're appointed te
visit the superintendent at Missoula ano
ask for the cause of Mr.. McDernott's re-
moval. The lodge was in session abou
thirty minutes, during which time tn
svitch-sngines did not move. The Rriev'
ance committee boarded the first train
Yesterday morning the committee reported
to the lodge. They said Mr.. Ramse.
GRANTED them an audience immediatel,
Upon their arrival. The spokesman toll
them about the new yardmaster ana asKe,
for the reason OF MoDermott,s olsmissa
statements without Interruption, and whe1
the spokesman had finished, told the com
mittee they had no grievance. You prot
ably regret" he said, that Mr.. McDermot
is about to leave you. He has not been az
missed. I have promoted . nm H. ana u n ne % se y
l receive u lAIkSlo ! ua"AA ~ 49,
ting" AS M. McDermott related the o.
perience of the committee with the supel
intendent he smiled. "Ih boys wei
dumbfounded.' he said, when Col. Ram
sey told them what " H., his inter aaaa
the superintendent to put b;
answer in writing SO they could show it
the member of the lodge, which the colont
! did. He would not, however, tell the con
: mittee whore he intends to place MI. M
Dermott or what his new posltlon 10 10 D.
He said he would be here tomorrow to 81
Mr.. McDermott, and would tell MIN pc
a sonally where he is to be located and q
about his promotion.
Mr.. McDermott says there was no Talk {
a strike at all. The men Thought tney, ma
a grievance and went about IN an oroeIl
way to ascertain hat was the matter. II
. interview of the committee with superb
tendent Ramsey was perfectly satlsiactoi
. to the members of the brotherhood. III
only thing that remains OF the suppose
difficulty is that the men are anxious
!. know to what position Mr.. McDermott nt
been promoted. 1t is not the rule OF u
Brotherhood to order strlkea, unle'
every possible means OF setting :,
! difficulty AVE been exhausted. {
. which time the entire organic
ton Of 35, GOO members would learn OF II
. grievance. Mr.. McDermott says the loo
i lodges have no authority to order a strll
without the consent of the head of the o
= der. There was not a sign of a strike ye'
/ terday at the yards. and MIR. McDermo
thinks it will be a long time before an.
thing of the kind happens here.