The morning times., 1895-08-08
union MEN CANNOT STAY
Last One Of nlebl on the ECking-
ton Road Discharged.
NO CHARGE AGAINST HIM
Another Conductor, Who Had Tried
to Make Recruits for the Protective
Railway Union, Also Dismissed.
Many Acts OF Petty Oppression by
the management.

The managers of the lexington and Sol
diers' Home Railway Company yesterday
emphasized its known antagonism to the
Protective Railway. Union by disniissing
and placing upon the blacklist the only
union man in their employ under circum-
stances which leave no doubt in his mind
Of the motive that prompted the action
AT the same time another man was dis
missed who is kno wn TO have been active in
soliciting recruits for the organization,
although he was not yet a member himself,
and it is the belief that he had rendered
himself obnoxious by his open sympathy
with the brotherhood
Both Of the bIacklisted men were con-
ductors, the union man being William j.
Haner, the other j. T. Green. Eachis said
TO have made a splendid record for faith
ful and intelligent service and fidelity to
duty. Haner has wife and family, with
urgent necessity staring him in the face.
His wants will he supplied by the union
until such time as lie will be able to
secure some other employment.
In proof Of the charge that the dismissals
were due solely to the company s antipathy
TO organized labor the good standing Of
the men referred to, and the additional
fact that Green is i'll and absent on
leave, and could have done nothing lately
TO merit punishment He went 10 the
country two weeks ago to recover his
health, and does not yet know that he
is no longer on the rolls OF the company.
HIS GRIEyOUs OFFENsE.
TWO months or more ago, Haner sought
out President Lawrence, OF the Protective
Union, and intervie wed him with regard to
swearing in a large number OF the Ecking-
ton men. Haner said he believed he had
the right guaranteed to every citizen to
attach himself To wha%Gver organization
he pleased to join, so long as his connection
with it did not conflict with his duty to the
company.
Arrangements we're perfected. -subSe-
quently, bet ween Haner and Lawrence, for
the reception of about forty OF the roads
employees, and July 81 was fixed upon as
the date for thoir initiation. 1t seems,
however, that the company became aware
OF the movement. and b. some means, Us yet
unknown, about one-third of the men were
1nilGuNfL ~ NlthIid OLtII aAShtllk anu resi-
dent Lawrence deferred action iu che other
cases. Haner Joined, however, and Green
would have been Il member at this time had
he not fallen i'll.
1t is well understood among the union
men that great majority OF the EcIing-
ton employees would unite with the organ
ization were it pot for the fear of losing
their jobs. Many OF. them have families,
IA
road they.wiH be put upon the blacklist and
prevented from Obtaining service with other
roads.
Vigorous complaints are madeofthe treat
ment the men receive al the hands Of the
managers.
PETTY TYRANNY PRACTICED
Among other things, il is said, that
should a man on a late turn be caught
in the rain, as often occurs, the rule re-
quiring uniform 10 be wornnecesSitatestha
he go out on his next trip wearing wet
clothes, no time being given him for dry
ing them Ii is also alleged that if an en-
ploye leaves any article of his apparel in
the company office by accident or other
wise, it is upon discovery thrown into
the strets, but by whose orders it is not
known
Another incident related is that a we'll
known driver OH the road was laid off for
three days for bidding a fellow employe
good morning - Incredible as this may
seem to be, the statement is vouched for by
a reputable witness. 1t is further asserted
that a conductor was given three days as
a penalty for talking to his driver The
occasion for the conversation was that
a passenger asked the conductor the loca-
ton of Tennessee avenue. Not kno wing,
the conductor went forward, as a matter
of accommodation 10 the passenger, to
make inquiry OF the driver
A more serious grievance than any other.
perhaps. is the method adopted to secure
money with which TO make Vice President
Schoepf present upon his retirement from
the management. 1t is alleged that each
man on the line was met at the office door
by Mr.. Averett, q company official by
whom he was escorted 10 the window
where the subscriptions We're being re-
ceived, and every man was there directed
to deposit his contribution.
PAID UNDER COMPULSION.
Believing that it was ieopardizing their
interest not to do so, every man donated
something, but nearly all did so under
protest. The unpleasant feature, added
to the hardship, was the criticism made OF
every man who gave lie SIS han fifty
cents The penalty, the men say, was
severe enough without the addition of
the reprimand.
Notwithstanding Mr. schoepf's adver-
tised retirement, the employees all feel that
he is still in control. 1t is said that his
brother serves as supervisor, his brother