Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-12-04
BEST OF FEELING
Exists Between Trainmen and
the Maine Central.
No Grievances Pending and a Strike
Not Even Thought Of.
Brotherhood Disguised at Recently Published
Story OF Trouble Pending.

Waterville, Me-, Dec. 3.-(SpeciaD.-
There Is no idea of a strike by the
Maine Central trainmen. The only men
who are talking strike are those who
are not members of the brotherhood of
Railroad Trainmen, and men who cam
not get into the Brotherhood" said
William /. Sterling, secretary of the
general grievance committee and chair
man of the local grievance committee,
yesterday. The statement was made
in contradiction of a story to that eff
feet published in local paper on ac-
count of the position that Mr.. Sterling
holds in the Brotherhood he would
know of any grievance that the men
! have, and in consequence his state
ments voice the opinion of the majority
of the members.
He then went on to say that some
time ago the committee went to the
officers of the Maine Central and there
they We're received in most gracious
manner. At that time the wishes Of
the men in regard 10 an increase of
wages was presented to the officers and
eiS tlit itSuIl Satisfactory
ment was made. Soon after an ad-
justment of wages of some of the men
was effected. That closed the incident.
AT the present time" Mr. Sterling
said. there is nothing pending"
Before the adjustment was effected,
three meetings were held, but the word
strike was never mentioned in the
meeting. In fact" Mr. Sterling said,
had the word strike been mentioned.
that man would have been expelled
from the order
Regarding the rotary plan, so called,
Mr.. Sterling said that that system is
not wanted here. Neither do the men
nor the management want it. Regard
ing that he said that plan is not feas-
able on this road. 1t is in use on some
other roads. but that is only at certain
seasons of the year. During the grain
season there is such a rush of cars
that extra crews are hired. These are
tramp crews and it makes no difference
to the men where they lay their heads
at night With the Maine Central
crews it would make great deal of
difference. Nearly all have homes in
this city, and under the present plan
tiItS hIIoN just W ltI lilty dlt ~ SO "
work and when they are to finish
With the rotary schedule they do not
know when they are to go to work.
Regarding the statement that it was
part of the plan of the management
to head off the Brotherhood by pro-
noting F. =. Hubbard to the position
of trainmaster. Mr. Sterling said that
neither he nor the members of the
brotherhood took any stock in it. The
members of the brotherhood are on the
best of terms as an organization with
General Superintendent Mcdonald. All
requests that have been made have
been listened to attentively by him.
The result is that any change on that
point could not have the slightest eff
feet Regarding the appointment of
Mr.. Hubbard he said he believed that
was made not through any move to
organize against the men. but rather as
a recognition Of the long, faithful ser
vices of Mr.. Hubbard.
Regarding the feeling of the officials
toward the Brotherhood. Mr.. Sterling
said it was the best. The last time
that the committee from the Brother
hood went to see Mr.. Evans he said
he was in favor of the organization
and believed in it. Mr. Evans. Mr..
Stirling said, stated that he was in
favor of the Brotherhood because ii
gave the railroad better men and bet
ter service, since it is the rule of the
Brotherhood that no Incorporate man
shall be a member of the organization.
The Brotherhood makes that rule that
fewer accidents may occur and conSe
quently fewer drains on the treasury.
and the railroad management because
the railroad is less liable to have acct
dents occur.
At to the feeling toward Mr.. Hubbard
Mr.. Sterling said that all of the rail
road men have the best of feelings to-
ward him., Slight grievances have been
taken to him and he has always been
glad to at once settle them and meet
the men half way at the least. Other
grievances have not even been taken
outside the committee. but have been
then and there settled.
Regarding the probability of a strike.
he said that in order for that to be
done it would be necessary for the
grand masters of the O. r. c., p. r.
r.. B. L. F. and o. r. T., to meet in
Portland and go at once to the officials
of the road and there try to settle the
trouble before the word strike was
even mentioned.
The railroad men are much worked
up over the story as published and said
that if the informant could be learned |
he would be expelled from the order, |
and that probably the order would rec
ommend that he be discharged from !