Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-04-21

TION THE BANE OF THE La
ORER'S LIFE.
Washington, April 20.-The indus
trial commission to-day heard state
ments from P. M. Arthur, chief of the
brotherhood of locomotive engineers,
and P. ]. Mcguire, secretary of the or
ganization of carpenters and joiners
of America.
Chief Arthur covered much of the
ground heretofore gone, over by E. E.
Clark, of the railway conductors order.
In addition he described the status of
the locomotive engineers as quite salts
factory in most respects, both as to
their organization and relations with
the railway companies. His order has
written agreements with 80 per cent of
the railways, as to the conditions of
work. Strikes have been severe and
generally successful in the past. but
are on the decrease. Their strike fund
has not been touched for several years
and now amounts to 100000. Two
rent expenses and the other for the re-
lief of widows and orphans OF the
latter, $4,000 was disbursed last year.
The insurance feature of the order was
important, $4,000 having been paid on
this account. The men took pride in
their own insurance institution, but had
no prejudice against insurance institu-
tons established by the railroad COM
panies when membership in these was
not compulsory.
The pay of engineers was about the
same as for the past fifteen years, but
the added purchasing power of the dol
lar made it practically larger.
Certain practices of the railroads in
putting age limits to employment and
in enforcing extra severe physical ex-
aminations, were not approved by the
brotherhood, but the strength of the
organization made the railway COM
panies reasonable considerate in deal
ing with it's members.
Mr.. Arthur said that 80 per cent Of
the $4,000 locomotive engineers of the
country belonged to the brotherhood.
The order was strict in maintaining a
high standard of morals and efficiency
discharging in one year 172 members
for cause. This evidence of desire 10
furnish only high class men made the
railroads look with considerable favor
on the order.
At the afternoon session Mr. CURE
said the carpenters and joiners organ
ization had been known and more or
less dreaded as a striking organization
because it was chosen by the Fedora
ton Of Labor to inaugurate the great
strikes for the eight-hour day from
1882 to 1887. Since 1883 Mr. Mcclure
said the carpenters had participated in
1,026 strikes, had won 99S, compromis-
ed 81 and lost 81. The necessity for
striking had decreased owing to the
strength and determination of the Or
ganization. In the past three years
they had struck only SO times, losing
twice, winning GA, and compromis-
ing 7.
Computed in purchasing power, the car
penter's wage was so to 40 per cent higher
than thirty years ago. The social condi-
tons of the workers, as rule, had I'M
proved in the large centers. They lived
better, in better houses and wore better
clothes. Still tnere was a fierce struggle
for existence in the business. Improved
machinery had replaced hand labor,
throwing an immense number of men out
of work and employment was so irreg-
ular that men were forced to move fire.
quently so as to keep in touch with work
and in the off seasons had to seek other
employment. Child labor and unrestricted
immigration he regarded the two great
evils of the labor world, and he was in
favor of we'll considered but decided re-
strictions in both cases.
He had tried cooperation and was wei
satisfied that it was impossible under
present conditions. Profit sharing he re-
gartled as a make-shift device for settling
the problem of labor, the ultimate sosu-
ton of which he thought was still beyond
the grasp of any man.
ARE NOT BINDING,