The times., 1899-03-02
IN THE INTEREST OF
RAILWAY TRACKMEN
Given a Hearing Before the
Industrial Commission.
One Hundred and Eighty Thousand
Men Employed.
John II. Wilson. Chief of the Broth
erbood. Presents the Work
mems Side of the Cnse.

John T. Wilson, Chief of the Brother
hood OF Railway Trackmen, OF St. Louis,
appeared before the Industrial Commits
sion in the Bliss Building shortly after
u o'clock yesterday and offered the first
testimony in regard to industrial condi
tions in the West. Mr.. Wilson had been
invited by the Commissioners 10 come TO
Washington and present the result of his
Investigations and offer such suggestions
as he thought might improve present labor
conditions.
The members of the Commission pres
ent were Senator James II. Kyle, Repre-
sentatives John J. Gardner and John c.
Bell, Andrew L. Harris, John NJ. Farquhar,
NJ. d. Ratchford. and John L. Kennedy.
Mr. Wilson represents an organization
of about 5000 members, including road
masters fOremen. and section laborers. He
gave an outline of the duties and respon
sibilites of each of these classes and spoke
of the salary each class receives.
He said that there are in the United
States about lS0 900 miles of railway and
according TO the last report of the inter
state Commerce Commission about $780,,
900 men are employed in the maintenance
of-way department. This vast army Of
industrial workers is divided into three
classes. The first class is known as road
masters. numbering about 1000 men, each
having from 100 to $50 miles of track under
his jurisdiction. Their divisions are cut
into subdivisions called sections. On each
section is employed foreman, who is as
sisted by labOrers known section hands.
As the higher officials are always on the
lookout for men who can produce the
greatest results at the least cost. the road
master is obliged to work his men over
time to maintain his division at a mini
mum cost. Most of the roadmasters, he
| says, are poor men and are anxious TO
! hold their positions, therefore they feel
| compelled to be eXacting and work the men
under them to the full capacity from morn
| ing till night.
| The men in charge of subdivisions are
known as section foremen who receive
| their instructions from the roadmdster.
| They number about 10000. They are per-
| sonally responsible for the condition of the
| track under their jurisdiction at all times
! and are the most important class Of men
/ engaged in operating railroads.
The lives of the travelling public and the
| safety of commercial traffic are in their
! hands. These men paid by the month
/ and are supposed TO be on duty at all times.
! II they work every Sunday during the
month and every night they receive no
extra pay for the extra service.
| The Iaborers who assist track foremen
are known as track hands and are subject
| to the foremens orders. The foremen
| usually hire and dismiss them to suit their
! own convenience. There are about $50. .000
| of these in the United States.
| Mr.. Wilson says that in his judgment
the system under which the railways in
| the United States are operated at present
has demoralizing influence upon the pub
| lie. He argued that were 1t possible 10
| maintain present rates under judicious
| management the earnings would furnish
| sufficient revenue with which to pay all
employees living wages without requiring
any of them to work an unreasonable num-
ber OF hours each day. AS railway COM
panies hold valuable franchises by consent