New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-01
Mr.. DFPEW BACK ~ TOWN.
WHAT HE SAYS REGARDING THE LhA5' q
OF RAILROAD TELEGRAPHbRS
AND EMPLOYEES

cbauncev II. pepew has returned from Chicago
where he went to make an address, to the League
OF Railroad Photographers and Employees. 'lI'
Depew was not in good physical shape "heH ne
started but he has come back well and strong 1T
spealing Yesterday OF his visit TO Chicago he said
1T is the most remarkable thing the way time
works out It's changes Only few years ago the
railroad managers and the railroad employees OF
Chicago and that section OF the country were az
each others threats. and the President had 10
send Federal troops quell the riots When got
an invitation to go out there and speak did not
realize what organization these men nad anu
what a power they or can be.
There are seventy-hve thousand members or thls
order IN that section Of the country. Ihey are
banded together not to fight the railway managers
but to help them so far as they can, and at the
same time maintain their own rights. They watcn
legislation and fight any legislation that threat
ems the honest interests Of the railroads They are
ali intelligent active men and they are IN earnest
New chapters are being formed with enthusiasm
all over the country and It remains to he seen
what will be The result Of this great organization
Of working railroad men. When l got 10 chicago
I found that A great many CT the older men hao
received letters and kilograms from politicians in
various parts Of the country. asking them what
the meeting and nv presence there meant. They
wanted 70 know If the organization was to be
turned into an annex Of the Republican party or
what. 7 talked with these men, not as lawyer
or politician. railway manager. but as a
railway worker like themselves, and was glad TO
hear them talk as they did. Some OF the older
men and the leaders IN the movement came TO
me and said: "NIr Depew. we railroad men have
been thinking the matter over. THIS organization
Of ours IS not Ike the one Debs led. We realize
that railroad management in this country to-day Is
far different from what It used 70 be when
single man owned a road and II 70 get what
he could out Of r. or a crowd Of speculative
schemers got hold Of road 10 DO what they
wanted with H. Now. the great public owns a
road controls Il by a board Of directors. and that
board has n general manager. We know that his
interests are our interests. and we are going to
help him all we can. II has been the fashion for
political agitators 70 come to us and say that
these same managers are our enemies and ask for
our support so they get Offices and then attack
the roads We have found that hard times for
the road means hard times for us, and that pros
porous road usually treats It's men well. We have
decided that when these fellows come around with
their hue and cry. to tell them TO send their
speeches to the newspapers and rot give them
legislative background. by our votes, to talk from
and enact laws that hamper the road and event
ally hurt US. -
This IS tho spirit as found IT," continued Mr..
Depew and was most satisfying. Some Of these
lists some u other creeds. l told each 10 be Just
whatever b. wanted 70 be. but that II they wnu'i
no one could stand against them ! found. too;
that nearly all OF these men were ready to stand
sound money meant prosperity for the roads ana
the employees prohted by IT.
Il don't know what is going TO- be the outcome
Of his. but it is serious thing for politicians 70
study. In nearly every State in the Union tnar
IS considered close IN National election or doubt
ful in a State election. the railroad men OF no
siate hold the balance Of power. II these men
become convinced that any clique OF politicians or
any party Is opposing their interests they can
make il lively for that element however strong Il
may be- Each man is a campaigner on his own
talking with his passengers; the brakeman IS off at
every corner chatting with those he sees the engi-
neer and hremen. when off duty, are out among
their friends and taken all together IL makes a
pretty strong machine. With right guidance ana
right principles It promises to be a mighty engine
10 work for the good Of the railroad employe. II
has started right and it IS growing in power each
day and think is future will be watched with IN
torcst.' IA, -. -.
Mr.. Derew said he was much grauned by the
way the men In the organization had talked 10
him. as one OF their number. seeming 70 regard MS
advice as valuable and showing that they had con-
ndcnce I'm him. They adopted him as member or
their order and he SAYS seldom, II ever; mas s ne
received warmer, heartier greeting than that from
his fellow working railway men out there