Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-27
NOW FOR THE SEQUEL.
Pennsylvania Company Employees
Receive an Answer, and Are
DISSATISFIED WITH ITS TERMS.
officials of the Organizations to Be Con-
suited Before Any
EXTREME ACTION WILL BE RESORTED TO


swered the request for an adjustment Of
grievances presented by committee repre-
senting all branches of the train service.
The reply handed 10 the committee is sup
Elementary to that issued a day or so ago
respecting the matter of wages, and relates
TO the operation of the road principally.
Though the railroaders' committee is chary
OF expressing an opinion on the company S
answer, il can be seen that the result is far
from being satisfactory.
The next phase of the question will result
II the matter being placed before the
officials of the federation for consideration.
The committee met during the day. consid-
cred the terms of the reply, and are remain
ing here so that the representatives of the
various organizations may take council to-
Eether as 10 the next step to be taken.
Several of the higher officers are in town,
and there is possibility OF the other chiefs
assembling here to determine upon a joint
course OF action. Regarding what this is
likely TO be no information could be OBJ
tained from members of the committee.
When these men-and they are selected as
representatives OF their branch of the
service - desire to talk, they talk
10 the purpose; not having Jas
vet determined upon their course of action,
they wisely refrain from uttering senti-
ments which might very probably be mis-
construed.
of Great Interest to the Public
What the public is interested in knowing
is what the outcome of the whole matter is
likely to ne. Conclusions can be drawn
from the attitude of the interested parties.
The employees presented a petition for in
creased wages and an adjustment ot certain
grievances occurring in the practice of routine
duty The company has absolutely refused to
increase wages. and has adjusted the griev-
duces only in a Few particulars. When the
entire BODY of employees on a system so eX-
feusIve as that of the Pennsylvania
Company uniteS in demand for
q certain thing, it Is known from experience IN
such cases that the employees do not take such
q step without due consideration OF the conse-
gueuCes. and that when they Go venture on
such course il is with determination TO win
IE they can. In the present case the men, so
far. have been defeated. and it remains TO be
seen whether they will push the question to nX-
tremes or not. Nery likely they will
Il j. reported good authority that the
rre-eat united demand by the Pennsyiv ania
Cnmpany's employees is the first of similar TO be
made % other companies over the country. 1t
Is also said that the movement for uniformity
IN wages on all divisions now on foot would
have been inaugurated here last fall had it not
been for the hotEeadedne>s of some of the local
off lals who Urecipltated strike without due
authority This movement is recognized as
having been m preparation FOR some lime, and
the probabilities are now regarded as being all
against retreat from the purpose animaIing
the railroad organizations.
Uneasy as to the Result.
The company's officials. while laughing at all
il-pq haiF, al
are uneasy as to what the result may be,
though. Al the same time 1t is said, the present
time would be as opportune as any for a rest of
strength vi their employees. General Super
inreIdeut " ats said yesterday that, if he
knew anything of the character of the
Employes. no such thing as a strike
would follow on a refusal of the
demands. When the men take counsel
together they viii see the utter impOssibifty of
luy increase in waCes-the princiDal matter on
the list Of CrieyanCes-being granted There
were several minor matter on the list, which
would have been adjusted long ago if the at.
;ention of the company had been drawn TO
them. He felt sure that nothing of a serious
nature would ensue.
Following is the reply handed to the commit
tee Yesterday. 1t is supplementary to the first,
in which the increase of wages was refused:
The Answer of the Company.
As contemplated in the announcement of
the general manager, dated February g. 1891,
that local conditions, such as adjustment of
rrus, number Of men on crews and similar mat
jers. will receive attention at the hands of the
proper officers the following practices will be
IN effect GA ih!s division on and after March /,
jNu.
The practice Of imposing fines or the GUS
-ou of allowing employees to pay for loss of tools
srd damage 20 rolling stock and company's
property Will be discontinued. and discipline
HIl be administered by suspension or dis.
charge.
~ here investigations disclose that the men
are deficient in their knowledge OF the book of
rules or machinery, an examination will be
made thereon before the men are permitted to
rctwn 10 wors.
Where men report for duty after being off
ON account Of accident OF sickness and in the
Judgment OF the Superintendent physician's
certificate Is necessary as determining the fit
unsS Of The man for service, such certificate
must be furuished.
Competent callers will be appointed to call
the trammen at least one hour before leaving
;iIDe OF trains. provided they live within limits
fixed for each yard and have entered their
addresses in book kept for that purpose at
the designated Offices. Exceptions Will be made
o. this rule IN the cases of men assigned to
10 regular runs; in such cases no calls will be
made. When Jrainmen are called for duty and
-IgIr trains are annulled, two hours will be
allowed at overtime rates, and men will report
H when trans are annulled and register ahead
oi any not vet called II called and notified of
the annullment Of train before reaching yard or
engine house no time will be allowed
''Traiumen sent away to attend court as wit
utsses in the cOmpany's interest will be paid
iHg regular trip rate for each day or part there
of, and actual living expenses while engaged
n such service.
I'm making light and deadhead trips. men
VIII be paid as follows:
Light engine and caboose-fuI through
freight time
Work Of the Deadhead Crews.
Light engine or caboose attached to a
freight train-full through freigh: time and
-he deadhead crew will be expected to assist in
the work.
"Deadheading on passenger trains-one-half
their regular trip rates.
Where through gravel trains are run by
crews regularly assigned To that service, or by
work train crews. they will be paid work train
rates. When they are hauled by road crews
road rates viii be paid.
AS far as practicable, trial enginemen will
prepare engines for road service: when it is
necessary for roadmen TO try engine, they
VIII lie paid overtime rates for the actual time
employed.
As a general practice, 1t is not deemed ad-
glsablc 10 transfer ward enginemen to road
--rvice. Where such transfers are made the
ward enginemen will first be required to run on
rae road six months as fremen. Their service I
as euEinemen in the yard will be used in fixing
their Justification.
The watching of engines by firemen at termi-
mails is part of the duties of round trip and
j. covered hy the rate for that trip. In cases
whore the fremen have to perform the duties
Of "atchmen after the trip is ended. compensa-
tion Will De made. provided II Is not already
covered 10y the overtime allowances.
"FIremen VIII be required TO wipe fixtures in
side OF cab ana wine Jacket, bell and number
plate, clean windows and keep engine looking
generally neat The care that fireman takes
"i lns engine IS part of his duty. ana is duly
cOnsldereu when he comes up for promotion.
Extra hremen will be used whenever prac-
tcable to NIL temporary vacancies in the force of
hostleTs; when necessary to use regular fire.
man; VINO misses misses ms run in consequence, he