The morning times., 1895-07-04
BOTE[ER IS INDICATIVE
So Say the Employees on the
Columbia Gable Line.
PETTY ACTS OF OPPRESSION
Charged with Laying
Men off for Trivial DereIictions.
Unfair Discrimination In Favor of
''Scabs" as Against Union Men
Board of Directors to Act.

The differences between Superintendent
Boteler and the employees of the Columbia
Railway are not only not yet adjusted, but
upon Mr.. Boteler's part, they seem TO be
growing more serious, and the relations
between the opposing forces are becoming
more STAINED
The charges filed against Mr. Boteler
are understood to have been informally
considered by the board of directors, but
decisive action was deferred until the mat
ter can come before the full board at the
regular meeting 10 be held on the second
Tuesday in this month. The men have
been assured. il is stated, that they shall
have hearing at that time.
President Baker, il is alleged, called be-
fore him some of the Ten whose names
Were appended 10 the charges and inter
rogatcd them concerning the allegations
made against the superintendent.
INVESTIGATION PROBABLE.
Chief Clerk Adams was present, and the
statements of the employees Were carefully
noted This is regarded by the petition
ers as CouOboratiYe of the belief that a
general investigation VIII be made.
Meanwhile, the men aliege, Mr.. Boteler
is striving by all the means at his command
TO gOad them TO open revolt. He is punish
ing conductors and gripmen for what they
! instances OF this alleged persecution are
| g iven.
1t is stated that Conductor Glasscock
| was laid Off and made TO lose time for
| talking TO a passenger; that another con-
! ductor of the same name suffered the same
| penalty for resting on the rear end OF
has car, and the fact that he was at the
time suffering from rheumatism, con
tracted III the February blizzard, was
| ignored For leaving some old transfers
/ on table in the office Conductors Coo
| per and Kelly Were both Laid off. Con-
ductor JamiSon was accused of reading
! newspaper while on duty and OF going in
! side the car during the recent storm, and
| he was made to lose time as punishment.
| Conductor Mannel, for being inside of Ills car
! during the same storm, was also laid off.
! Conductor Bell was punished in the same
| way for leaniug in the window of his car.
| Gripman Ridgeway was also laid off
| for negEecting TO fasten the gates of his
| car, in the hurry of departure over the
! line when his car was behind time.
ALLEGED VINDICTIvENESs
An these and other charges are dis
! cussed among the force, and they at
| tribute IL altogether 10 the vindictive
! spirit OF Boteler, who, they say, is max
| ing good his boast of making them walk
the chalk and toe the mark" 1t is
further alleged that what Boteler does
! not learn of the mems acts through his
spy he obtains by driving along the
/ line, watching for little departures from
! strict discipline upon which 10 base his
/ arbitrary methods of punishment.
Mr.. Boteler is said 10 have reprimanded
1 Gripman Brown for having left his fender
! up. Investigation proved that the car was
not equipped with fender.
/ 1t is further alleged that a non-union man
ran his car off the track, and was after
wards promoted TO a conductors place,
and when one OF the old employees did the
same thing he suffered the loss OF weeks
| wages. ......'
FOND OF THE SCABS
| There are. it is claimed, sixteen scabs
/ new on the line, and that these men are
basking in the superintendent's favor The
| union men believe Mr BoteleTs purpose is TO
! drive the union men either into abject sub
| mission TO his dictation or off the road, and
as proof Of this they cite the fact that union
! men have been laid off, one or more each
1 day, for offenSes Similar to those above
enumerated, ever since they united with the
organization, while, on the other hand,
not a single non-union man has lost a day
for similar offenses.
The employees are patiently awaiting the
action of the board of directors. They
stin claim that with a fair presentation Of
/ their case the board viii do them justice.
They say the patrons of the road are in
sympathy with them in the controversy, and
that the company cannot fail TO See that
Mt Boteer is practically alone in support
of the measures of oppression he has seen fit
10 esforce against men who have been much
longerin the company's service than he mas.