The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-03
MEL HEM AT WAYCROSS.
MIR. PLANT DISCUSSED I'IIE sITUA-
TION WITH THE ENGINEERS.

About
Divisions, at the Meetin E-Presi-
dent Plant ThOught Their Demand
Rather DiscOurteOus, but over
looked It-EnEineer Futch lea the
speakfne for the BrOtherho Od-He
Admitted n strike Was Decided On
AZ NJ Contract Was Securest-fhe
withdrawal OF the Demand for "A
Contract, However, Completely
CHANGED the Situa,tiOn-A General
Love Feast and All Parties Inter-
ested AbundnntIy satisfied.
The meeting between president H. b
Plant and the engineers Of the rant sys
TEN. which il was expected would ian q
Mace in savannah. but which was held at
VNavcross Yesterday. was cha racterized as
a love feast by those who al tended IT,
Several OF the officials of the system VINO
attended the conference returned 10 the
city last night. They stated 1t was Simply
q pleasant meeting between the otnclals
and the employees. and while no nrect Cd
5ect was accomplished they considered
Il would have the effect Of bringing about
a better understanding. both between the
employers and employees. and in that way
would work 10 the best interests OF all.
The meeting was held In the Waycross
ppera. house. President Plant, General Su-
perintendent b. Durham, Vice President
r. G. Erwin and all the division superin-
tendents occupied seats on the stage The
meeting appears TO have been considered
one of some Importance, in spite OF
changed conditions, as there were fully 100
engineers present besides many other en-
ployes, every division having represen-
tatives there.
President Plant opened the meeting with
a few preliminary remarks. He said he
was glad TO see the engineers there. He
regretted their having made a demand IN
q manner that he considered somewhat
oiscourteous for a conference win regaIo
TO a contract. but now that the demand TOT
a contract had been withdrawn, he said
it was all right, and he would be glad 10
hear whatever any of the engineers might
Engineer Futeh. chairman OF the engi-
neer's committee, spoke in their behalt
He made a brief, manly. speech, saying
that he had been appointed 10 fepresehs
the engineers, and that as a member OF
the committee which asked for contract
he did not represent himself, nor dld ne
represent the committee. but the entire
brotherhood, which appointed II and
stated what its duties should be. He made
st clearly understood that, as a member or
the committee, he was simply carrying
out the expressed wishes OF the entire
brotherhood
Mr.. Futch said the engineers had a con-
tract for a long time, and naturally de-
sired to retain il. He mentioned the tact
that Mr.. Durham refused TO renew the
contract. stating that the rule book tully
answered that purpose. The engineers,
he said, were receiving liberal pay, ana
made no complaint except with regard TO
their failure to secure a contract; lie
said they had perfect confidence in Pres
ident Plant, General Superintendent Dun
him and the other officials OF the Plant
system, and they appreciated the pleas
ant relations that had always existed be-
tween them.
Mr.. Futch referred to the fact of the
withdrawal of the demand for a contract
which he said had been done after the
engineers had considered the situation
all over the country, which led them 70
the conclusion that 1t would not be best
for them to urge their demand. He want
ed peace and harmony, he said, and ne
was satisfied with the situation as Il
Vice President r. c. Erwin asked Mr..
Futch some very pertinent questions win
regard 70 the situation. He asked among
other things who was Mr.. Arthur. Mr..
Futch explained Chief Arthur's connec-
ton with the brotherhood, and stated that
though Mr. Arthur was requested TO he
present at the meeting, in view of the
fact that the request for contract had
been withdrawn, he did not come.
Mr.. Erwin then asked II all the engi-
neers, or only the brotherhood, made the
demand for a contract and how many
brotherhood engineers there were on the
Mr.. Futch replied that the demand came
from the brotherhood of Locomotive En-
RineerS. out or III engineers on the en-
tire system, he said, 1877 of them are mem
bers of the brotherhood.
In reply 10 other questions Mr. Futcf
practically admitted that by a twO-thirdS
Vote or more the brotherhood had deci
ded to have a contract or go on a strike
in the event II was not given them he
denied most positively, however, that any
engineers from other roads had been pres
ent at their meetings for the purpose o.
agreeing TO boycott the freight of th'
Plant system in case of a strike.
Engineer DuBose and others made brie
talks, agreeing in the main with the state
ments of Engineer Futch and expressing
the utmost confidence in all the officials
of the system.
Engineer Dickinson of the Alabama Mid
land said he wanted a contract, that h
always wanted one and wanted one then
but he stated most emphatically that h
did not agree to strike in case he did no
get the contract, nor would he do so.
Engineer Jewell of the Alabama Mid
land said that was his position exactly
and number of other statements wer
said they had fun confidence in Genera
Superintendent Durham, and believe'
they would be all right as long as he re
manned with the system.
President Plant then responded, thank
Eng the engineers for the kind manner Il
which he had been received. He ASSURE
them that he appreciated the manly wa
in which they had explained their wishes
and he was glad to see them again recon
ciled to their condition and peace an
harmony restored.
President Plant told the engineers tina
the system had nothing to do with tn
membership of its employees in any soci
ETY., religious. military or civic so lon
as il did not interfere with their dut
10 their work. but he deprecated the fac
that they should join a society whic
would compel them upon the say so G
majority or even two-thirds of thei
number to give up the work upon whic
they are dependent. He was satisfied
however, that the meeting would be pre-
ductive of good results, and he was gla
TO have had the opportunity of discuss
ing the situation with the engineers.
General Superintendent Durham an
Vice President r. G. Erwin, besides seN
eral others who We're present, came bac
TO Savannah last night President PlaT
went south. He will stop at Ocala, wheI
he will probably be given a reception
and will then go on to Tampa
The engineers all appeared satisfied wit
the outcome of the meeting, and gener;
good feeling prevailed. General Supel
intendent Durham cOnversed with man
of them pleasantly after the meeting wa
over.
1t is said the system had engineers Q
almost every engine working right aloni
side the Brotherhood engineers, and thu
in case of a strike these extra men cou
have been put right in. the place of Il