The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-16
The FEDERATED ORGANIZATIONS
CONTINUED from first p.ue 7,

steam. l knew how to handle that to
please my engineer. began my rail-
road work wish more humble position
than thai Of fireman. 1t was as q wiper
and as l was promoted 1 wanted the
people to know 1t.
~ claim the credit for being the pio-
neer OF the Brotherhood OF Locomotive
Engineers. l knew their condition be.
fore such an organization came into ex.
istence. Railroad men we're not much
thought OF because they lacked re.
speotabilisy. The Brotherhood Of Loco
motive Engineers has revolution;zed the
railroad world. The man who runs in
engine and stays out of our organization
Is sctuated by selfish motives, and is
resping the benefits of our work.
II want to raiseeny voice to railroad
men In the morning against people who
are going about the country crying out
that capital Is trying to crush down
labor. We have passed through many
troubles and conflicts, but remember
the experience of '94 and '95, and think
we'll before you take steps against the
management OF any railroad.
1T is said that these organizations
have never accomplished anything for
the men. We have succeeded in get.
ting our wages raised from 80 to $3.50
per day, and the wages Of the fremen
and brakemen In proportion. We have
given the railroad company q better set
OF EN- ployes, for man cannot be a
member of the B. of l.. E. unless he can
read and write and is sober and indus.
trtous and has had years experience
in running an engine. Aside from this,
look what we have done for the widows
and mothers OF our deceased members.
we have paid them between five and
six million dollars.
THANK God that we have an organi-
cation for the uplifting of our fellow
workmen. You may rest assured that
all these b.otherhoods will live and
prosper while the bones Of our enemies
lie rotting under the sod. We some
times have strikes, but we are not
ashamed Of 1t, and we would strike
again under similar circumstances But
II railroad managers would meet US on
the same grounds we have always been
willing to meet them, strikes would be
thing unheard of. Our policy is to
say to the. general managers and presi-
dents, II necessary, Come, let US reason
together; there Is difference between
you and your employees. Get together
and adjust your troubles.
= These organizations present a REQ
ord to this country that they may Justly
fepl proud Of. My advice to railroad
men Is to be honorable, faithful and
just, and render to your employer the
service due him. II you have any
leisure tine spend it with your family,
hnd If you are single get married and
keep little home for yourself. have
advised railroad men for thirty-flve
years to shun rum holes and dens of
iniqtity. for many of these places are
kept up partly by their hard labor.
Il an glad to know that you have on
your platform townsmsn. and one of
your most successful business men,
named Major Day. who has been a
brotherhood man since Its organization.
The best presidents and managers of the
railroads in our country to-day came
from.the laboriDg class. speak OF this
to encourage the young men, not that
they can ell become general managers
or presidents. but they csn improve
their leisure hours. Then they need
have no fear for the future.
81 would be derelict In my duty did I
not say word to encourage the Ladies'
Auxiliaries OF these organizations. I
give them credit for the grand and
glorious work which they are doing.
They have record to feel proud of.
In conclusion will say that the well
come given us by the people of this good
and beautiful city will furnish us pleas.
ant mem cries after we have returned TO
our homes"