The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-26
For the First Time Engineers Will Meet
with Their low-Employes.
Object of the Gathering Explained BY Grand
Master Sargent, of the Firemen-Toledo
Suddenly Left in Darkness by Strike.


Coming Conference of Railway Labor Organ
i. tions to Consider an Important Question.
SPECIAL TO the Indianapolis Journal
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. Dec. 25-Grand
Master Sargent, of the Brotherhood of Lo-
comotive Firemen. who was president of
the Supreme Council of the former Fedora
tion of Railway Employees, which went to
pieces because of the quarrel between the
switchmen and fremen over the North.
western strike, was interviewed to-day re-
Ra-ding the alleged federation of railroad
Iaboror ganizations. He Estates mat a CONFER
ence has been called to meet at
Cedar Rapids, IA, Wednesday. Dec, %
to which the Order of Railway Conductors,
brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, Order
of Railway Telegraphers and Order of
Railway Switchmen have been invited.
Mr.. Sargent states that the conference will
not be composed of State delegates. but
only of committees chosen by the several
railway orders Tho representatives of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen will
be +. p. Sargent, of Terre Haute; G. A. Will
SOD. of Jersey City and George w. Green
wood, of Winslow, A. T. Mr.. Sargent Gays
that while the meeting is called to consider
the question OF federation, it cannot at
that time definitely decide to federate. 1t
would. in fact. be impossible to do this
since whatever action may be taken
at the meeting would. under the rules
OF the several orders have to be referred
TO those orders for ratification. Mr. Sar-
gent thinks federation may be agreed n pom
along the lines laid down at the last meet
ing of the brotherhood of Locomotive Fire
men at Cincinn att. w hich were. in effect,
to provide for sy stem rather than national
federation. In other words, the several
orders may federate on such railway syS-
TENS as have the orders working in har-
mopy Mt Sargent scouts the idea that
the likelihood of strikes during the worlds
fair has any thing to do with the Cedar
Rapids meeting. and says that while the
so-called system federation may be agreed
upon at that timo he believes it will be
several years before On attempt will be
made at national federation. such as fell to
pieces at the time of the big 20" strike.
The engineers who have been invited to
send representatives. have never taken part
in such meetings heretofore. but they now
have q clause in their laws permitting IS g.
tion is prohibited. Mr.. Sargent says he
does not believe In national federation un-
les oil organizations are members, and
that Ia out of the question, for the present
with good results on the Reading. and last
week was established on the Nor tn W estern.
The object Is TO prevent such strikes as
that of the Buffalo swltcbmen and the Rock
Island teiegraphers. IN which cases the
strike was ordered and the counsel of the
executive officers of the other organiza-
tlOns asked afterward. in the meantime
giving rise to unfounded and ipfiammable
reports that other employees would strike.
A dispatch from Cedar Rapids avs: 'AIl
OF the railroad organizations. with the OK.
ceptiOn of the switchmen, will meet here,
Dec. 2S, to form themselves into an ANAL
gamated association. It is said that the
object of this amalgamati0n is TO prevent
any railroad strike that might occur dur
ing the time of the great exposition. 1t is
feared that If the various brotherhood 8
were left to their own discretio u.
and In view OF the dissatisfac tion
already existing among the 0rganiza.
tions, strikes would ensue many
of the prominent roads of the country.
Such conservative labor leaders as p. NJ.
Arthur, of the engineers, and ID. q. RAM
sey. of the teleRraphers. who held a confer
ence on the subject q short time ago. agreed
that IT any organization went ont on strike
during the fair public sentiment and preju-
ID tho dissolution of those organizations
Every State IN the Union wi i'll have one
representative from each of the five orders.
Delegates representing brotherhoods in
New York, Pennsylvania. New Jersey.
Massachusetts Delaware and Maryland
left Chicago for this city tonight. Grand
Chief Arthur, of the engineers and Grand
Chief Ramsey. of the telegraphers. were In
the partyu