Rock Island Argus., 1899-04-21
ARTHUR AND NJ CURE
Leaders of the Locomotive Drivers
and Carpenters EnIight-
en- Statesmen.
TALKS TO THE INDUSTRIAL BOARD.
Both Labor Chiefs Proud of Their Organi-
zations and the Achievements Thereof
Strikes Won by the Carpenters-Lsrge
Increase I'm Wages for Both Organiza-
tions Caused by Approaching Money
Arkansas Strike Grows Turbulent.

| Washington, April 21.-The industrial
| commission yesterday heard statements
from +. NJ. Arthur, chief of the Brother
hood Of Locomotive Engineers. and p.
J. Mcclure. secretary of the organiza-
tion Of Carpenters and Joiners' of Amer
lea. Chief Arthur covered much of the
ground heretofore gone over by E. E.
Clark. of the Railway Conductors or
der. In addition he described the status
of the locomotive engineers as quite
satisfactory in most respects. both as to
their organization and relations with
the railway companies. His order has
written agreements with 80 per cent. of
the railways as to the conditions of
work. Strikes have been severe and
generally successful in the past, but are
on the decrease. Their strike fund has
not been touched for several years, and
now amounts to 100000. Two other
funds are set aside, one for current ex-
penses and -he other for the relief of
widows and orphans. OF the latter $42,-
900 was disbursed last year.
Insurance Feature of the Order.
The insurance feature of the order was
important, Ss.O0O,0 900 having been paid
on this account. The men had no pre-
judice against insurance institutions es-
tdDllSneu Dy the TdlTOaO companies
when membership in these was not
compulsory. The pay of engineers was
about the same as for the past fifteen
years, but the added purchasing power
of the dollar made it pTact cally larger.
Arthur said that 90 per cent of the &c.
600 locomotive engineers of the country
belonged to the brotherhood. The order
was strict in maintaining a high stand
ard of morals and efficiency, discharg
ing in one year 1T2 members for cause.
This evidence of desire TO furnish only
high-class men made the railroads look
with considerable favor on the order.
Mcclure Tells of the Carpenters.
Mcclure said the carpenters and
joiners' organization had been known
and more or less dreaded as a striking
organization because il was chosen by
the Federation of Labor to inaugurate
the great strikes for the eight-hour
day from 1852 to 1887. Since 1888 the
carpenters had participated in. 1,OS6
strikes. had won 9cS. compromised six
ty-seven and lost sixty-one. The neees-
Sity for striking had decreased, owing |
to the strength and determination of |
the organization. In the past three |
years they had struck only eighty-three |
times, losing twice. winning sixty-four |
and compromising seven |
Carpenters Wages Much Higher. |
Computed in purchasing power the |
wage was 30 to 40 per cent. /
higher than thirty years ago. The social /
OF the workers as a /
rule had improved in the large /
centers. They lived better = in /
better houses-and wore better clothes. |
Still there was a fierce struggle for ex-
lstence in the business. Child labor and /
immigration he regarded |
as the two great evils of the labor
world and he was in favor of |
considered but decided restriction in
both cases. He had tried cooperation
and was well satisfied that IT was i'm
possible under present conditions. Prof
t-sharing he regarded as a makeshift
device