The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-07

Testimony was taken yesterday before
the Industrial Commission which met
after a recess OF two weeks. relative to
the alleged unjust treatment which a num-
Der of employees Of the Philadelphia and
Reading Railroad have received at the
hands OF the officials. Backed by the
Brotherhood Of Railroad Trainmen. they
presented statement to the commission
several days ago. reciung their grievances
and asked permission 10 testify before the
commission.
Mr.. Val Fitzpatrick. representing the
Brotherhood Of Railroad Trainmen in place
of Grand Master P. H. Morrisey. who was
unable to attend. and five discharged en-
ployes of the Philadelphia and Reading
Road were present to give testimony.
Mr. Charles Heebner. Assistant General
Solicitor Of the Philadelphia and Reading
Railroad, was there in the interest Of the
company, but whether he viii present the
railroad companys side Of the trouble he
fore the commission today is not known.
He stated last night that in the event OF
his not doing so, a statement in writing
would be placed in the hands OF the COM
mission in a few days.
Each OF the five Witnesses declared that
they had received their discharges from
the railroad company's employ without
cause. The only reason, they said, the
company could have for its action was
their utilization with the Brotherhood of
Railroad Trainmen.
Mr.. Fftzputrick's Statements.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick, after being sworn,
stated that he was the Third Vice Grand
Master Of the Brotherhood OF Railroad
Trainmen Of the United States and Canada
He was conversant, he said. with the Phil
adelphia and Reading Railroad trouble.
After reeiung the purpose of the Brother
hood, he said that the sum Of s675 goo had
been distributed last year TO its members
In benefits and annuities. There were no
agitators connected with the organization.
In seventeen years there had been but
two strikes in which the members took
part. and these had been settled by arbi-
tration. The membership of the organiza-
ton numbered IS. GOO, composed Of switch
men. brakemen. and conductors.
On January IA of this year, witness said. 4
he went to Shamokin Pa. for the purpose (
of establishing union of the Brotherhood .
there He found many OF the men Out Of
employment. owing to the knowledge hay-
ing reached the Reading company that
their employees contemplated joining the
brotherhood. He had some hesitancy. he
said in establishing a lodge. as the road
was opposed to its employees becoming
members.
In answer to a question why he was OF
the opinion that the Reading road dis
charged its employees because Of their con-
templated afllistion with the Brotherhood
he said that some years ago the railroad
would not employ men belonging TO a labor
hot ~ al ahaur-u 4
were Brotherhood men, or were applicants
for membership in it. and that the men
discharged had been given no reason for
their dismissal.
After being discharged. witness contin-
ued. the Reading road would not give its
former employees a recommendation to any
other road. This, he said, placed them on
the blacklist In conclusion, Mr.. Fitz-
patrick said that the men are not pleading
for their liberty 10 join an organization,
but are pleading for the right TO work.
On other roads. he said, the organization
and the superintendent often
confer with their employees upon matters
If mutual interest. The Pennsylvania sys-
EN- recognizes the order and treats it gen
arously.
Senator James II. Kyle. Chairman Of the
Commission here said that he believed the
attitude Of the Philadelphia and Reading
road was quite unusual. and that if it IN
lerstood organized labor better it would act
Discharged Without knowing Why.
Thomas J. Forbes. the next witness. said
hat be had been with the Philadelphia and
Reading Railroad for nine years-three {
7ears as a brakeman and six years in the
.apaeity Of conductor He was discharged
VI January 5, without being able to as
ign any reason for it. When the superin-
endent OF the division. located at sham Z
kin. was asked for an explanation. he {
would give none.
Witness stated that his record was ]
lean and he read several letters from !
Tell-known business men Of Shamokin in 7
Of this statement From {
his knowledge and observations witness
vas OF the opinion that the railroad com q
,any was hostile 10 organized labor 9
Philip d. Brennan. OF Shamokin testified {
hat he was a railroad brakeman by occu-
lation; he had been in the employ OF the
and Reading Railroad for ten ,
ears. On the 9th OF last January he was
discharged without notice. lie went to l
he superintendent. who referred him 10
n his learning nothing as to the cause Of 7
lis dismissal The witness is q member a
4 the Brotherhood. q
John F. Gaffney, the next witness called. e
Vas a fireman on the Reading road until x
he 18th Of January. He was discharged d
without apparent cause. Division Super
Swaggert told him to get out Of i,
he brotherhood and he would have a I
nance Of getting back on the road. a
The Company's Relief Association. J
II. f. Elliot. now brakeman on the
7itsburg and Lake Erie Railroad was the
asst witness. He was discharged from the a
mploy Of the Philadelphia and Reading {
Road on the 9TH OF January A letter was
cad 10 him from the assistant trainmas-
er, stating that The company had no fur :
her use FOR him. His membership in the G
he assigned as the cause Of his {
dismissal. '
During the examination OF witnesses I
questions were asked each by the members r
4 the commission relative to the Philadcl- I
hia and Reading Relief Association. >
rom the testimony it developed that each =
pplicant for position must signify his p
willingness to become a member OF this or !
,anizaiion before be is employed The :
lues, which are considerable when the
'enefts which result are taken into con- :
liberation. are deducted from the en- .
lloyes salary each month Should he he =
discharged. the agreement STIMULATES that -
u money paid in goes 10 the COMPANY :
dcGuire, who lost hand in the service Of :
he company, received 81 per day from the !
reading Relief Association until we'll D
ron the Brotherhood he received s. a y
week and s. 200 in cash o
sGCTETTehs- sufferers p