The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-14
NEWS Oh THE RAILROADS
CUsSES A SUBJECT OF MUCH
INTEREST
AT ITS MONTHLY MEETING

ter Mechanics and Car Buiiders'
Associations-J.C C. Harder Reads
a Paper on Car Truck Construc-
tiOn and Repnirs--ERect of the
Increased Speed on Rolling Stock.
The regular monthly meeting of the
Northwest Railway club was held at
the Ryan last evening and several pa
pers were read and a number of
speeches were delivered by the men,
bers. The club is very much interested
in the question of the proposed con-
solidatiOn of the master mechanics and
car builders associations and the I'M
usually large attendance last night was
due to a promised discussion of it.
j. M Goodyear, of the Chicago Great
Western, read lengthy paper opposing
the proposed consolidation and deliv-
cred a speech in support of his argu-
ments. Among other things he said:
What arguments have been advanced in IA
vor Of the consolidation, and what do they
amount to when analysed? The committee ap-
pointed to make recommendations on the sub
ject matter of the address of the president of
the Master Mechanics association in refer
ring to that portion relating to consolidation,
to quote briefly, reported as follows: First,
a large percentage of the car wheelage repre-
sentaton in the Car Builders association is
controlled by the superintendent or motive
power or master mechanics who are members
of the Master Mechanics association in
which all builders are eligible to
membership, and there would therefore seem
to be no good reason why all business per
tanning to construction and repairs of rolling
stock, whether OIL engines or cars should not
be transacted in one association and at one
convention. Fully one-haf of the time of
members from duty would be saved and an
equal amount OF expenses to the railroads.
With one organization the business which
now takes practically two weeks would be
accomplished in one, and the six days now
spent in convention can be reduced to four
and fully as much work accomplished. Sec
ond, the successful merging of the two asso-
Citations would then render 1t quite possible,
under proper restrictions, TO carry out the
suggestions of the president looking to the
establishing OF an inte- change OF motive
power equipment in certain localities, as we'll
as making it advisable to appoint "a standing
committee for conducting tests and indicating
to members the necessary requirements for
interchange of motive power. The foregoing
are the arguments in favor Of consolidation.
Taking the first: What c.assr Of men is the
car Wheelage representation made up of? Ac-
cording to the official proceedings of the Mas
ter Car Builders association for 1S97-the
latest published at this writingAthere were
179 representative members, representing
railways controlling in the aggregate 1,221,-
2S8 cars. Thirty per cent OF these cars were
represented by master car builders. Five
per cent by assistant superintendent of mo-
tive power another name-on roads who have
master car builder. One per cent by general
superintendent. Twenty per cent by super
intendents of motive power or master me-
chanics representing roads which the official
guide shows have either a master car builder
or general foreman Of depar tment. These
men are therefore representing roads without
being representative men, consequently they
deprive the car men Of being represented by
practical car men. Twenty-four per cent by
men representing roads too small to possess
a separate head to the car department This
n dc will an
average of $3.50 cars. Twenty per cent by ten
men only. These men are mechanical super
intendents, representing large systems.
Whether they are representative car men is
a question. One can but think, however,
that the head Of the mechanical department
OF railway controlling from $4,000 to $4,000
cars can hardly find time to go into the de-
tails lear work, and must of a necessity
employ subordinate to handle that work.
Would not the mere fact of allowing the sub
holds an official position Of some knd-to
represent the company be a graceful act on
the part Of the company and an incentive
to the man to do better work? -.
Do not these figures, while showing that
a large percentage of the car wheelage repre-
sentation is controlled by locomotive men,
also demonstrate that at least fl per cent of
such representation Is in the hands of men
who hold 1t more by virtue of might than
right, and do they not show also the ne
association more representative of car men
rather than merging the two associations?
What time and expense would consolidation
save? The time saved to members who have
been in the habit Of attending both conven-
tons would, with consolidation, amount to
two days. The expense, probably from $40
to $l5 per year per railway. This includes
the cost Of membership in the Master Me-
chanics' association and the printing fund
contribution. 1t is assumed that with con-
solidation the association would still expect
railways to pay at the rate they now pay.
viz: So per 1000 cars for wheelage repre-
sentation.
ager in America who begrudges his officials
an additional two days holiday once a wear?
Is there one who, for the sake of those two
d Gays - and an ar annual saving Of So desires
the associations be consolidated?
Can any member of the Master Mechanics
association show the necessity for inter
changing engines or that the necessity is everf
likely to exist? If so, perhaps 1t can be ex-
planned in what manner merging the two asso-
Citations will further the object. Is it the
intention to make engine inspectors out of
car men? If such is the intention, the writ
er would suggest the advfsability of first i'm
proving, Intellectually, the present car man;
will hinder rather than help.
In the report Of the committee one impor-
taat FACTOR was lost sight of. The writer
objects, Of the Master Car Builders associa-
ton, viz: the interchange Of cars was total
Iy ignored. Any operating man will realize
what prompt Interchange of cars means to
railway, and the writer will certainly not be
far wrong in making the statement that to-
gay railways pay for representation at the
Master Car Builders convention principally
IN order to further such prompt interchange
While admitting that the uniformity of parts
IN 1tsen ADDS materially to the prompt inter
change Of cars, it must be conceded that the
question of car interchange being ignored bv
the committee is an indication that the mem
bers OF the Master Mechanics association de-
sire TO make the consolidated association a
mechanical society rather than a railway oper
ating organization
Admitting the policy, under certain condi-
tons, OF consolidating the locomotive and car
departments, the fact must not be lost sight
OF that there are a few master car builders
sun IN active service. This Is evidenced by
inc the wneelage representation consisting Of 30
per cent OF master car builders. What in
ducement to better work will these men have
with a consolidated association? It is not
probable that they will be encouraged in their
efforts by being elected to office In an asso-
ciation composed mainly of locomotive men,
II the two associations were consolidated one
can readily foresee the result Take for
instance, meeting Of the majority of railway
ciubs. If purely locomotive subject is an
nounced for discussion the debate drags out
the entire evening. Change the subject tn
car work or the master car builders; rules
and 90 per cent of the members will recollect
that they nave appointments and Is per cent
81 9id nose remaining frankly admit that they
ala not come prepared to talk on the subject.
Yet these men for the most mart represent
railways in the Master Car Builders asso-
citation.
That which happens at club meetings would
happen were the associations merged The
iite or the master car builders association is
Its individuality. Destroy this and we lose
that which is daily becoming more essentially
an important factor in car interchange viz
the operating or truly representative element
1t may be asked how such a conclusion is
arrived at. In this way: The tendency TODAY
Is for railways to appoint as heads of the
locomotive department men with technical
or college education. There is mo question
as to the adyfsability ofssuch a step. Men
with technical education have done and will
do much for the improvement of motive power
cfnC hui IL Ii