The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-29
ENGINEERS SEEK A CONTRACT.
THE PLANT SYSTEM DIFFICULTY
COMING To a FOCUs.

CHIEF Arthur Of the brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers Here in Con-
ference with the Local Grievance
Commfttee-He VIII Contest Su-
perintendent Dunham's Edfet
Against Contracts With Employees.
The situation Likely TO Become
sauaIly-The Firemen Also Mt Work
on the same Line.
CHIEF p. II. Arthur Of the Brotherhood
o. Locomotive Engineers is in the city.
Mr.. Arthur's business here is TO confer
with Cen supt Durham OF the Plant
system in regard 10 the contract OF the
engineers
1t viii be remembered that several
months ago Supt. Durham issued a no.
tice TO the employees o. the Pint system
snnulling all contracts with employees
The engineers and other. organizations
sent committees 20 Savannah 10 confer
with the superintendent but without &C
comprising anything. supt. Durham in-
formed them that he did not consider II
necessary 10 make contracts with EN-
Iloves and the committee returned home
without getting any satisfac ton.
The engineers held several conferences
with Mr. Durham without getting con-
tract or the promise OF one. They have
been so quiet about the matter that IL was
thought by those not directly interested
that they had decided TO accept Mr. Dun
hams terms and continue without con-
tract, simply accepting his assurances Of
fair treatment. Mr.. Durham said at the
time that the rule book Of the railroad
was contract enough for any employe
and that no more was needed. II seems
that the employees do not look at il in this
light.
Chief Arthur arrived in the city yester-
day morning from his home in Cleveland.
O.. and is stopping at the Pulaski The
grievance committee Of the engineers.
consisting Of one representative from
each division Of the system. is also in the
city, and was in conference with their
chief in the afternoon. An effort was
made 10 see Supt. Durham but he was
confined 10 his house by sickness and
could not be seen.
thur at the Pulaski last night. He was
asked for a statement Of the diuerences
OF the engineers with the Plant system.
you are doubtless aware he said.
s'that last August Supt. Durham issued
q notice annulllng all contracts with en-
DlOyes. This was done without previous
notification, or without consulting the EN-
plOyes, or without promising them any
thing In lieu of what was taken away.
Under the rules governing the Brother
hood Of Locomotive Engineers grievance
Is first taken up by the local committee,
and If this committee fails 10 accomplish
anything the matter Is referred TO the
head Of the order. This was done and this
1t was remarked that the engineers had
allowed considerable time 10 elapse be
fore taking the final step.
THE engineers have been very patient,
said Mr.. Arthur They have sought to
secure their dues by moral suaston, and
! have been called in 10 bring about
settlement. We have contracts with near
" all the railroads of the country, and
we see no reason why Mr.. Durham should
refuse TO enter into a contract
What will be the result should Mr..
Durham refuse TO enter into a compact p
Mr. Arthur was asked.
If Mr.. Durham should decline to en-
ter into a contract. and should Mr. Plant
support him in his refusal. well, l do not
care TO say what the consequences would
be. but they might be very serious"
From the sharp, decisive manner in
which Mr.. Arthur spoke there can be
no doubt that he would not hesitate to
tie up the entire Plant system, If il be-
came necessary to go to extremes The
chief Of the locomotive brotherhood is a.
man Of prudence and discretion however.
and Of sound judgment and never goes
10 extremes until the last argument is eX-
hausted. The engineers have the most i'm
plicit confidence in his judgment and
never hesitate to obey his Instructions
Mr.. Arthur has visited Savannah before
on errands Of this kind and is well know
10 the engineers and the railroad men gen.
orally.
II was learned yesterday that w. Fl
Hynes of Denver, chief of the Firemen's
brotherhood was in the city last week
He left here Christmas eve. During his
stay he held several conferences with the
nremen, but what plan Of action was de-
cided upon is not known. The firemen will
doubtless cooperate with the engineers in
whatever action they take.
Mr. Arthur stated that he will remain
here for a few days, for the purpose of
seeing Mr.. Durham. He hopes to be able
10 do so tomorrow. II Is safe TO say that
the conference between Chief Arthur and
Supt Durham will be interesting. The
superintendent is man who is very hard
70 move when he has made up his mind
10 a thing, and he is hardly likely 10 ac-
cede to Chief Arthur's demand for a con-
tract of hand. IT the two lock horns the
fight will be interesting.
THE TTcIEpH0NE CO.'S PLANS