The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-03-25
TRAINMEN WANT An INCREASE.
Cotton Belt system HIS Been Asked
tn t,rauI IL.

Cotton Belt sytteu HIS Been -Askcd
to Grant II.
Waco, Texas. March 2i--The conductors
and brakemen employed on the Cotton
Belt system are not satisfied with the pres
ent rate OF wages and have been engaged
for some time in an effort to get re-
vision OF their contract With the company
Conductor A. c. Murrelle, chairman oi the
contract committee, has just returned from
ST. Louis. where the committee has been
cndeavoring TO obtain an interview with
Vice President Harding, but the visit WAS
in vain. However. the committee has not
abandoned the effort and will return to
St. Louis on the same mission.
Asked about the movement OF the Cot
ton Belt trainmen to secure an increase
of salaries, Mr.. Murrelle said The con
ductors and brakcmen on the Cotton Belt
system. feeling that the present contract
governing rates OF pay did not give SUI
fcient compensation for their services.
the general grievance committees OF the
Order OF Railway Conductors and OF the
Brotherhood OF Railway Trainmon OF the
Cotton Belt system were called together
for the purpose of securing a revision, II
possible, so as 10 make it satisfactory to
all concerned. On January 3, 1899, Joint
committee representing the two orders
named gave notice 10 Mr. Edison, the gem
eral superintendent, and he granted an
interview to take place on February ~.
The committee met him at Tyler on that
day. Several nostponemcuts we're had AZ
Mr. Edson's request and many days passed
before he gave his final basis upon which
a revision WAS TO be made. The commit
tee feeling that an acceptance OF the basis
proposed would be doing those II repre-
scented Injustice declined the proposition,
la ~ re
not so liberal as the present contract. The
only alternative for the committee was 10
appeal to the next ranking OFFICER the
vice president Mt ST. Louis. An intorview
was granted. 10 take place Monday, March
90 The committee WAS on hand promptly,
but Vice President Harding was at Ho;
Springs and the committee was informed
thai he was very H. communication
was received from him asking that the
interview he postponed until MopGhy
March -. The committee has been very
patient granting every pnslponerent
asked for by either Mr., Edison or Vice
President Harding 7 am free ~ say that
there is no friction existing neJNecu inc
trainnien and any of the officials and mere
are no railway officers anywhere better
! liked than General Superintendent Edison
and superintendent Ltgsett s2d Coughlin,
| and we all believe that a satisfactory set
| Element viii he reached without any resort
| 10 extreme measures Inc tfalnmen 90
mot desire anything to the contrary. We
| all believe ia srbitfation that, according
10 reason and the law of God, gives 10
! each man his due. J say candidiy that we
| arc only asking for that which the train
! men think is justly due them. and nothing
more Than has been granted By other roads
| In Texas one OF the changes asked for
! IA an increase os pay TO- passenger con-
| ductors from 500 per month 20 slla and
on some rgins sl25 per month Several OF
the Texas roads some time since yoluntar-
! iiy Increased the nay Of the passenger con-
| ductors on the main line to Si25, and twt
OF the roads were NJ the Gould system. II
is my intention 10 return 10 ST. Louis
SATURDAY next, accompanied by G. y.
Sparks, chairman of the grievance commit
tee of Inc Brotherhood OF Railway Train
men. and James Haynes, member OF The
general committee OF tho Order OF Rail
| way Conductors We will there convene
| the Joint contract committee on MONDAY
morning March 81. The committee Is In
| structed 10 camp in 81. Lsuis until sat-
isfactory settlement Is reached