Morning journal and courier., 1892-01-08
WILL THERE BE a STRIKES

The Firemen of the Smaller Dfvl.
sions of the N. T., N. HI. and III.
r.. R. Demand Equal Treatment
With Their Brothers on the New
York Division-Chief Arthur and
Grand Master Sargent Here-Yes-
tcrday's Conference-A Meeting of
the Firemen This Morning to De.
eide Course of Action.
The prospects of q strike on all the di-
visions of the N. Y, N. 81. and 81. r. r.
is somewhat imminent, notwithstanding
but little warning has been hitherto given.
The firemen on the branch roads of this
system maintain they are not treated as
well as those on the New York division.
Although the differences seem slight, the
men claim they amount to great deal for
them in the end, and there is the principle
of fair play and justice underlying their
demands, which ought to win for them
the sympathy of the public. If each side
stubbornly clings to the position it has
taken-and this seems now very likely-a
strike will ensue. As guess at the situa-
than the railroad.
A conference was held yesterday morn
ing in the private Office of Manager Tuttle,
at which were present Manager Tuttle, rep
resenting the railroad; P NJ. Arthur, chief
of the Brotherhood of Locomotive En-
ginsers; and A. B. Youngson, his assis-
tant of Cleveland; Grandmaster Sargent of
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen,
and committee from the firemen.
With reference to this meeting Manager
futile, of the N. Y, N. H. & H. R. R. was
seen last night at his home on Orange
street, and said in reference to the locomo'
tive iremen on the branch roads Of the
Consolidated and the company: "This
afternoon Chief Arthur of the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers and a committee
of our men called on me and requested that
| the contract which we have with the men
| be revised What the terms of the con-
| tract are or what revision was asked, it is
| not the time to discuss. He agreed to ex.
| tend the contract over the roads to which
the contract does not apply, the Northamp
| ton, Naugatuck and Valley divisions, ali
of which were leased since the contract was
| made, but we have refused to revise the
| contract.
| fees nothing. The men when they have
| any matters in disputes are accustomed te
call in Chief Arthur to talk over the mat
| ter with them. This is the only meaning
Mr.. Arthur's visit here has. Our men are
| the best treated railroad men in the coun
| try and value their positions too highly tx
throw them up for any petty differences
We do not apprehend any strike. We d.
not believe that is the intention of thu
| men.
Chief Arthur, short man with steady
penetrating gray eyes and a stubby gray
beard, came to his hotel, the Elliot house
late last night, evidently from a consulta
ton of some sort. He said: "We me
Manager Tuttle to-day and requested tina
the firemen on the passenger trains on tn
divisions other than the NewYork division
receive two cents mile. This would in
crease their present pay of 81. rs a day t.
So; and we also asked that the rule il
force on the New York division which spe
CITES that the men be paid for service OF
delayed trains or for any overtime be *
tended to the branch roads well. Tn
former of these was acceded to, but tn
latter refused,
Reporter-Do you intend to adhere t
the demand for pay for extra service O.
delayed trains in view of the fact that tn
company acceded to part of your demands
Chief Arthur-We do. We have a meet
ing of the fremen tomorrow morning
when we shall decide just what we sha
do. But I want to say is this. IF we decid
to strike according to the agreement of tn
Brotherhood, no other road which employ
Brotherhood engineers can handle cal
J from the N. Y, N. II. & 81. road.