The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-09
TAKING BACK STRIKERS
But A SMALL NUMBER HAVE, Up TO
THIS TIME, BEEN RE-EMPLOYED.
Big Four Not Likely to BE Console
dated with Lines i'm which the
VanderbiIts Are Interested.

With the increase in business with the
railways there has been a large demand for
competent railroad men, and where the de-
mand exceeded the number of men compe-
tent for promotion, few of the men who
went out during the Deb's strike have been
re-employed. Some are at work on the Wa
bash, the Chicago & Eastern Illinois and
the Evansville & Terre Haute, but not, as
was stated in the case of the Chicago &
Eastern Illinois, at the order of the presi-
dent or directors They were taken back by
officials who knew their ability as railroad
men and understood the circumstances I'M
der which they left the service of the re-
spectlve companies The Pennsylvania lines
maintain the position taken in the Begin
ming on the Western lines which were af-
fected by the strike, and no man who leaves
the lines in a strike is ever re-employed.
Recently, John +. Miller general superin-
tendent of the Southwestern SYSTEM said
that when a man once left the employ of
the company under such circumstances the
company would, under no circumstances, re-
employ him. Some railway officials are more
conservative and argue that the lesson the
engineers, tiremen and other employees have
learned since so abruptly leaving the COM
pany has had a good effect, and that mo
wild schemers Of the Debs stripe would
again induce them to leave their work on
a strike. A. man who has been out of a good
job three years, these men argue, most Of
the time and in some cases all the time,
knows how TO appreciate employment on a
road where monthly he receives his pay. A
local official, in speaking of this matter,
said their line had not, as yet, taken back
any man unless they were confident that he
was forced against his will to take part in
the strike, and in taking back men the
managers will employ only those known to
be very competent in their line of service.
Conditions have changed much in the last
three years. said another official; "a much
better understanding exists between en-
ployer and employee. They have come closer
together, and grievances are readily consid-
cred and justice done. The frequent confer
ences between officials and heads of depart
ments, and, in turn, between heads of de-
partments and the employees are having an
excellent effect, and a feeling is developing
that the interests between the officials and
the employees are more mutual. Employees
have come to feel that their faithful service
has much to do with the prosperity or the
road which employs them. There is a better
class of men employed than few years
ago. On our line, when we employ man.,
we take pains to ascertain his character,
and if he is a man who will be capable in
time for promo ton, fast as possible We
fill all vacancies by promotion. The men
have come to see that strikes have not
helped their cause in the past, and if as cap-
able and conservative men as those now at
the heads of the railway brotherhoods are
continued in such positions, the day of
strikes with railroad men is at an end The
Debs strike was excellent educator to
the railroad men as to the folly of attempt
ing to adjust grievances through strikes,
which usually start on some one road, and
numerous other roads, which are treating
and paying their men in a satisfactory man
ner, are drawn into the strike through SYM
pathy. The statement that the roads follow
men who have been in a strike with black
list, preventing their getting employment,
has no foundation, at least so far as In
diananOlis lines are COncerned v