The record-union., 1896-02-19
An American Mechanio,s viaws.

chronicle of Saturday, February
10th, a report of a meeting, the follow
ing being the most salient points:
The. Society of American Socialists
gave an evening to the employees of the
Southern Pacific at Kohler & Chase
Hall last night. The speakers of the
evening were Taylor Rogers and ]. ].
Roberts. The latter managed the Oak
land end of the American Railway
Union strike Of 1894 The subjects un-
der discussion were Southern Pacific
American Railway Union Strike Of
Treatment of Employees in General
1884, Individual Freedom and Inde-
pendence Under the Southern Pacific
and Railway Employees Under Public
Ownership
j. ]. Roberts first took the platform.
After going over brief history of the
big strike Of two years ago he went on
to say that the Southern Pacific treated
Its employees with less consideration
than any other corporation in the world.
Those men who had stuck to the COM
pany during the strike, and thus earned
hatred Of their fellows who had proven
loyal to the starving men, women and
children Of Pullman had been rewarded
with reduction in wages of nearly %
per cent and the withdrawal of the
pass privilege
Upon inquiry of workingmen here I
fail to find anyone who knows anything
about the alleged reduction of wages
or withdrawal of the pass privilege. In
regard to treating It's employees with
less consideration than any other cor
poration, I will name one instance of
consideration" which, although by
some it might be deemed a matter Of
small importance, yet. in my opinion,
1t is a telling one. In consideration of
the health and comfort of their en-
ployes in this city, instead of letting
them drink our nasty Sacramento River
water, the company send to them over
their road from Blue Canyon the best
water in California. Ne. Roberts may
know Of a similar instance of voluntary
consideration" by any corporation or
firm in the United States, but do not.
Even Ex-Governor Markham stated
during the time of the late strike here
that there is not a, railway man in the
United States who does not look with
envy upon any man that can obtain
position with either the Southern Pa
cific or Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe
systems of California
IS NOLlpdIys 4lG Nld1E1tQs SuOWGO
great solicitude for employees when in
jured but did so at the expense OF q
fund built up by taxation of employees.
The speaker had contributed fifty cents
month for twelve years to such q
fund"
I presume that Mr. Roberts knows
something of accident, fire and life in
surance companies, as we'll as benefits
for cfalr moi hx~4 Tax rio
orders, every member or holder OF a
policy of which is not only obliged to
pay the various premiums or assess
ments required, but also for the policy.
That is, of course, all right without en-
ployment wherewith to furnish the
funds; but for the Southern Pacific
Company to give employment and then
require the small sum of fifty cents per
month with which to help himself or
perhaps his more unfortunate fellow
workman who may be sick or otherwise
disabled, would seem to be all wrong in
his estimation. If a man is so fortunate
as to never encounter sickness or acci-
dent, cannot he better afford to pay,
and is he not better off than the unfor-
tunate one who receives the benefit?
In short, Mr.. Roberts, is it not just
barely possible that in displaying your
prejudice and venting your spite
against the Southern Pacific Company,
you lose sight of your suffering fellow
workmen?
Taylor Rogers suggested a few ad-
vantages that would arise from the
Government ownership of railroads
First, he assumed the civil service law
would be in effect and give permaneney
Of labor. The constant uncertainty now
staring laboring men in the face made
cravens of them. Then, he said, ability
ard faithfulness would be recognized.
Next, men would get living wages and
be required to work only a reasonable
time The great advantage that would
grow out of all these minor advantages
would be individual Improvement.
THE men, instead of bowling, kneel-
ing and scraping before a hard-hearted,
clutching millionaire magnate. would be
working directly in their own interest
they would be part proprietors. Mr.
Rogers concluded by saying that he ex-
pected to see the Government owning
and operating the railroads before he
died, though he was already At years of
age.
Harry Knox, who directed the ac-
tions of the California strikers, was
down for a speech, but did not appear"
am informed by disinterested par
ties-and correctly. have reason to
believe-that an applicant for work at
the company's shops is not questioned
concerning his politics or religious creed,
or whether he cares for either: nor has
that anything to do with the retention
or discharge of an employee In fact.
the discharge of a faithful, competent
and industrious man from the COM
pany's service is seldom heard of under
ordinary circumstances; but instead,
when there is not sufficient work for
all on full time, the better way for all
concerned is usually adopted through
a reduction Of the number of hours Ia
boz. per day, and thereby giving all Of
the men an equal chance until an in
creased amount of work is required,
when all are on hand and ready, there
by demonstrating practically that
whatever is for the interest of the men
as a whole is also for the interest Of the
employer. and vice versa
Such as favor Government ownership
of railroads. I viii ask, what assurance
would an applicant or employe have Of
obtaining or holding position at each
change of administration If he enter
tanned political sentiments adverse to
the same? If such would answer in
telligently, let them first investigate at
the Mare Island Navy Yard or other
Government shops As far as the civil
service law is concerned, it would be
then as now, chiefly dead letter When
self-interest stands in the way, selfish,