The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-13
THE COMPANY's POSITION.

Assistant General superintendent J. S.
| b. Thompson, of the Southern Railway,
was asked about the trouble between that
| railway and its telegraph operators.
| For several years" said Mr. Thomp-
son. efforts have been made by Mr.. w.
V. Powell. the president of the Order of
| Railway Photographers, to SOW the seed
of dissension among the telegraph men of
| the Southern Railway.
Travelling men have come down here
and sought to create dissatisfaction
among the railway telegraphers. This
was done in a mild way at first. The OBJ
ject was simply to build up strongly the
Order of Railway Telegraphers, of which
Mr.. Powell is the head in the South-not
because of any existing general dissatis-
faction amCng the telegraphers of the
Southern Railway.
In proof of this ii may be stated that
less than 10 per cent. of the 1 800 to 500
railway telegraphers of the Southern
Railway oined the order of Railway Tele-
graphers.
Nov Mr. Powell comes down here and
issues circular to the telegraph men of
the Southern Railway telling them that
they are suffering hardships, that they
are not being treated fairly by the road
and that they should secure their rights
If it becomes necessary to strike in or
der to do it, He tells them that the way
to get protection from alleged hardships
is to join the Order of Railway Teleg-
raphers. These circulars have been sent
to individual telegraph men working for
cur railway and this method naturally
has the effect of leading them to believe
that there is general dissatisfaction
among our telegraph employees.
Such is by no means the case. On the
contrary the telegraphers of the South
ern Railway are satisfied with the treat
ment they are receiving from the South
ern Railway. They are getting along
quietly attending to their duties, receiv-
ing promotion when deserved, and treated
in all respects just as the management of
| the read treats all it's employees.
THE reason for this attempt to stir up
dissatisfaction among the telegraphers of
the Southern Railway is two-fold. First,
because Mr.. Powell is seeking to build up
strength in the Order Of Railway Teleg-
raphers in the South. Second because
the management of the Southern Railway
has steadily declined to treat with the
ence to it's employees, and will ever de-
cline to do SO.
Discipline must be preserved and
should the Southern Railway, passing by
it's telegraph employees, treat with the
Order CT Railway Telegraphers in refer
ence to any grievances which might
arise, all iscipline would be overturned.
aside from being unbusiness- like, such
policy would be fatal to discipline.
The system of the Southern Railway
is to treat direct with all the employees in
reference TO any and all complaints which
may arise. 1t treats with them individ-
ually or collectively or by committees ap-
pointed by them representing them as
employees of the Southern Railway, and
does all in it's power to adjust all differ
ences to the entire satisfaction of en-
ployes.
1.-THE management of the Southern Rail-
way insists that all grievances, if any
shall be preferred through the proper
channel, realizing that it would be i'm
possible to preserve discipline by treat
ing with outsiders and not directly With
the employees themselves.
Another point here: The telegraphers
of the Southern Railway are under the di-
vision superintendent. He knows them,
is in touch with them, and is in the best
possible position to understand thorough
ly the nature of any complaints which
may be made and to satisfactorily adjust
all differences.
There are no grievances existing
among the telegraphers of the Southern
Railway. Should any arise the manage
ment is ever ready to hear them and TO
adjust them fairly and fully"