The San Francisco call., 1897-04-05
RAILROAD MEN
NIKE A DISCOVERY
Engineers Are Not Debar-
red From Joining the
Federation.
Important Matters Were De-
cided Upon at a Meeting in
West Oakland.
Four Leaiing Unions Will Make an
Assessment and Send cut
Circular at Onc,.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, /
QAQ Rrnadu uay nril

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL,
90S Broadway, April 4.
An important discovery was made this
afternoon to an enthusiastic meeting OF
representatives of the various railway en-
ployes.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi-
neers, Brotherhood OF Railway Trainmen,
Order of Railway Conductors, Brother
hood of Locomotive Firemen and Order OF
Railroad Telegraphers were represented.
T. NJ. Pierson, assistant great chief of the
o. R. I. of Terre dauie Ind, was also
present and aided in their deliberations.
c. E. Houck OF the o. r. c. presided
and George Buien OF the b. of r. L. acted
as secretary.
The b. L. E. members present at q
previous meeting gave it as their law that
they could not federate without the con-
sent of their board of adjustment, and
that board would not meet for eighteen
months. Since that time letter has been
received from Grand Chief Engineer P. NJ.
Arthur which contradicts this assertion,
for he says in letter to P. N. Morrisy,
grand master OF the B. of r. T.:
The members of the B. L. E. upon any sys-
tenn can federate with tue organizations
named int the articles of federation by two
thirds vote OF the members. When the men
have voted nave always approved of it when
signed by the chairman and secretary of the
general board of adjustment. have never
considered that it was necessary to have the
approval of the general board of adjustment
after they had Obtained a two-thIrds vote OF
the membership upon the system.
The secretary was instructed to corre-
spond with Chairman Stafford of Stock
ton to secure all information possible in
regard TO the federation now in existence.
of the federation at present, Mr.. Pierson
said:
I'VE propose to revive the old fedora
ton. Three years ago the federation
erected a builulng. Then an A. r. U.
cyclone swept over this country and
swept it all away but the foundation.
Now we propose to build a new structure
upon this foundation. We are already
federated, and we want every body to
know it. / believe in printing and send
ing out circular to this effect at once"
The various lodges represented will be
asked to appropriate 5 cents per mem Der
for the necessary expenses OF the union
meetings.. Suggestions were made that
the railroad boys refrain from the use of
Chinese cigars and that Mckinley be
thanked for turning down General Otis of
Los Angeles.
Mr.. Pierson then epoke as follows:
To-day is the day of rest and il there are
any men who need this rest it is the men who
handle our trains am glad TO talk of fedora
tion. IL is the highest pinnacle of strength
one can reach in this world. Federation is
simply a triumph OF organization.
Organized labor is organized thought. Or
ganized thought is the organization that has
given down-trodden men their freedom. The
United States is a fair sample of federation.
Foreign powers respect the flag. Will people
recognize the flag of the o. r. L. unless she is
federated with other railroad organizations?
No more than Mexico would recognize Texas
if she were not federated with the other States.
BY their absence this afternoon the B. OF l..
Z. intimate that their flag is recognized with
out federation. The day is coming when the
s. p. Company will no more recognize them
than If they were not In existence. l don't be-
lieve that the s. p. officials are opposed to fed
Grafton. / hear you talk of them as fair
minded men. If they are they will see they
will be as much benefited as you are. 1t is to
their best interests that you have q common
understanding