Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-05-25

entirely disappear. Righteous complaints and
Just demands are always In order and should
receive prompt attention and be pressed to a
speedy and satisfactory adjustment.
Ninth--Organizations have become SO numer-
GUS and their annual and biennial conventions
occur so frequently that the question of fur
nlsh1ng Tree transportation for delegates, their
families and friends is being seriously consid-
cred by railway officials as an abuse of privi-
leges without redeeming feature. This inces-
SAINT demand for special trains, special cars
the recognition of credentials and passes with
out limit is compromising the character and
dignity of organizations and placing their off,
GERS and members under obligations which
must sooner u later, In view of the constant
agitation for increased pay and other conces-
sions, prove source of embarrassment and
humiliation.
BRAVE BUT HOPELESS STRUGGLE
Tenth-The extraordinary fact cannot be
overlooked that while present organizations
are provided with expensive striking and boy
cotting machinery, and while millions of dol
lars, wrung from their members, have been ex-
pended in support of strikes they have with
scarcely an exception been overwhelmed with
defeat. The history of railroad strikes, as con-
Quoted by railroad organizations, is q recital OF
brave but hopeless struggle, of strikers defeat
ed, impoverished, blacklisted, pursued and
driven to the extremity of scabbing or starva-
ton. Under present conditions this result ia
inevitable, and century of organization on
present lines will not change ~ Railway EN-.
ployees have contributed from their earnings
untold millions in support of organizations and
are therefore entitled to protection instead OF
promises that can never be fulfilled.
1t cannot be denied that the policy of present
organizations has filed the land with scabs
who swarm in the highways and byways await
ing anxiously, eagerly, the opportunity to graft
fly their revenge by taking positions vacated by
strikers. Thoughtful men have no difficulty in
accounting for the failure of railroad strikes.
Neither are they at loss to suggest q remedy.
Organized upon correct principles, governed
by just laws and animated by unselfsh pur-
poses, the necessity for strikes and boycotts
among railway employees will disappear.
Experience teaches that defective organiza-
tion leads to strikes and defeat as certainly as
perfect organization will insure peace and sue
cess.
Eleventh-The ever increasing body of idle
engineers, conductors, etc, seeking in vain for
employment, Is the legitimate fruit of promo
tton on the seniority basis. The pernicious ef-
feots of this system can scarcely be overesti-
mated. lifetime Of faithful service counts
for nothing. When dismissal comes, ofttimes
for trivial offense the victim finds the doors OF
his calling everywhere barred against him. lie
is compelled to go to the very bottom and serve
again his entire apprenticeship The natural
tendency is TO weak ken organized labor by Great
ing surplus of experienced men, whose ne
cessities make them available to corpora
tAoio III etTNiCt tline VI trou-
BILE. 1t is not strange that the victims of the
seniority iniquity renounce organization and
take their places with the unorganized.
What is required is a system Of promotion
that recognizes the rewards of merit rather
than seniority. Other things being equal,
seniority should of course have tho preference.
In filling vacancies selection should be made
from the limo of promotion and from the un-
employed in n ratio evincing due regard to the
rights of both.
THE NEW ORDER.
The American Railway union will include all
classes of railway employees separately organ
lied, yet all in harmonious alliance with one
great brotherhood.
There will be one supreme law for the order,
with provisions for all classes, one roof to
shelter all, each separate and yet all united
when unity of action is required. In this Is seen
the federation of classes which is feasible. in
stead of the federation of organizations which
has proved to be utterly impracticable The
reforms sought to be inaugurated and the bene-
fits to be derived therefrom briefly stated are
as follows;
First-The protection of members in all mat
ters relating to wages and their rights as en-
ployees is the principal purpose of the organi-
cation. Railway employees are entitled to a
voice in fixing wages and determining condi-
tions of employment.
Fair wages and proper treatment must be
the return for efficient service faithfully per-
formed.
Such a policy insures harmonious relations
and satisfactory results. The now order, while
pledged to conservative methods, will protect
the humblest of its members In every right he
can justly claim. But while the rights of men,
bers will be sacredly guarded no Incorporate
demand or unreasonable proposition will be en-
tertained.
Corporations will not be permitted to treat
the organization better than the organization
will treat them. high sense Of honor must
be the animating spirit and even handed JUS
tice the end sought to be attained
Thoroughly organized in every department,
with due regard for the right wherever found,
1t Is confidently believed that all differences
may be satisfactorily adjusted, that harIno-
NOUS relations may be established and main
tanned, that the service may be intellectually
improved, and that the necessity for strike and
lockout, boycott and blacklist, alike disastrous
to employer and employee, and a perpetual
menace to the welfare of the public will for
ever disappear.
Second-In every department of labor the
question of economy Is forced to the front by
the logic of necessity. The Importance of or
ganization is conceded, but If 1t costs more
than a workingman Is able to pay the benefits
to accrue, however great, are barred. There
fore, to bring the expenses of organization
within the reach of all is the one thing re-
quired, a primary question which must be set
tied before those who stand most In need can
participate in the benefits to be derived.
ECONOMY TO DE STUDIED.
The expenditures required to maintain sub
ordinate and grand lodges, every dollar OF
which is tax upon labor, operate dsastrously
In two ways-flrst, by repellng men who believe
In organization, and, second, by expelling men,
bers because of inability to meet the exactims,
and in both of which the much vaunted frater.
nifty feature, 1t is seen, is based entirely upon
the ability to pay dues. In this 1t is noted that
the organizations as now conducted are for
men, as a general proposition, who have steady
work at fair pay, while others less fortunate In
this regard are forced TO remain outside to be
the victims of uncharitable criticism.
Hence to reduce the cost to the lowest prac- |
ticable point is demand strictly in accord
with the fundamental principles of economy, |
and any movement which makes it possible for
all to participate In the benefits ought to meet
with popular favor.
This reduction of cost the new organization |
proposes to accomplish in way that while
preserving every feature of efficiency that can !
be claimed " Existing organizations, viii so
minimize expenses that members will not bo
forced to seek relief, as is now the case, in the
of organization. To accomplish
this reduction number of burdens such as
grand and subordinate lodges, annual and b-
ennial conventions, innumerabe grievance
Ill. t2I A st@m,