The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-29
On the Troubled Wa
tiers at Last.
PRESIDENT WATSON
Patches Up Differences
With Engineer Steele.

Leicester, Jan. 2S.-The difference be-
tween the management of the Worces-
ter and Suburban and Chief Engineer
William Steele has been amicaby ad-
justed, and Mr.. Steele will continue to
act as chief for a time, at least Ear
ly in the week, Superintendent German
notified Steele that in his opinion, Geo.
Drabble, who has been acting as as
sistant in the boiler room, did not have
enough work to do to warrant his en-
ployment, and that it would be econ
omy to dispense with his services. Cor
man told Steele to notify DrabbIe that
his services We're no longer required,
and Steele said he could not get along
with less help and do the work required
properly.
Some words occurred, and finally
Steele says that he rendered his resig
nation, to take effect this evening. His
reasons were that there would be
greater liability for accidents if the
firemen were required to do extra work,
and that if any accident occurred, his
reputation would be ruined. At presI-
ent there are six employees at the
power station, Chief Engineer w. l..
Steele. Assistant Engineers H. L. Eli
OFT and H. w. Culver Firemen William
Connors and Elliott Partridge, and
George Drabble, employed in wheeling
IN coal and helping tend the fires. The
hremen each work II hours per day,
and they have three boilers to look af-
ter. The coal is dumped outside the
building, and has to be wheeled inside,
as required in a wheelbarrow, and
weighed.
In summer only two boilers are fired
up, but the extra power required in
winter makes it necessary to run both
large engines and the small high-speed
engine Tor lighting purposes, at times.
Inc engines aggregate 500 horse
power, and the engineers ana firemen
have little spare time on their hands.
1t was expected that Connors, Steele
and Drabble would all leave the employ
OF the company tonight, but this after
noon President Watson talked over the
matter with Steele, and as he promised
TO remain if he could have Drabble's
help, the others will also continue in the
employ of the Suburban. Steele is a
practical mechanic as well as expert
electrician. He has occupied his pres
ent position for six years, and it would
De loss to the company to have him
Ieave. 1t is said that for some time
Steele has been at loggerheads with
some OF the employees at the car barn
ana that several of the men would be
glad to see him resign.
Mr.. Steele was seen by The Spy man
and told his side of the controversy. He
SAID; L would not have asked for an
extra man if 1 had not needed him. At
present nearly twice as much coal is
required to run the boilers as formerly
and the firemen could not perform their
work properly if Drabble was dis
charged. l should think that it re-
slulres between seven and a half and
ne tons OF coal daily. I have run
cir machines without an accident for
NJ years, and will not undertake TO
sale he work with insufficient help. since
lccident would ruin my reputation.
nix now that 1 will stay in the
No. Y of the company" When asked
sale would leave eventually, he in
hat it was a permanent ar
mt Superintendent j. B. Cor