The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-07
PROBlNGALLEGEDR WRONGS
Discharged Railroad Men Before
the Industrial Commission.
The Philadelphia and Rending Conn
without Good Renson-They Are
Members of the brotherhood of
Railway Trainmen-Thc Evidence.

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 a statement to the commission
several days ago, reciting their grievances
and asked permission to 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 We're 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 will present the
railroad company's side of the trouble be-
fore the commission today is not known.
He stated last night that in the event Of
his not doing so, a statement in writing
Woulu DE placed IN lie nanQS OF the COM
mission in 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.. Fitzpntrick'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 reeiting the purpose of the Brother
hood, he said that the sum of s675 900 had
been distributed last year to its members
in benefits and annuities. There were no
egitators 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 5000, composed of switch
men. brakemen, and conductors.
On January IA of this year, witness said
he went to Shamokin. Pa. for the purpose
of establishing a 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 I
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 utilization with the Brotherhood. 1
he said that some years ago the railroad /
would not employ men belonging to labor
organization: that the men discharged /
were Brotherhood men, or were applicants
for membership in il, 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 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 to 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
tem recognizes the order and treats it gen.
erously.
Senator James II. Kyle, Chairman of the
here said that he believed the
attitude of the Philadelphia and Reading
road was quite unusual, and that if it un-
lerstood organized labor better it would act
differently.
Without knowing Why.
Thomas J. Forbes, the next witness said
hat he had been with the Philadelphia and
Reading Railroad for nine years-three
Tears as a brakeman and six years in the
I
IN January 5, without being able to as
ign any reason for it. When the superin-
endent of the division, located at Sham
kin. was asked for an explanation, he
would give none.
clean and he read several letters from
we'll known business men of Shamokin in
of this statement From
his knowledge and observations witness
vas Of the opinion that the railroad com
1any was hostile TO organized labor.
Philip d. Brennan, OF Shamokin. testified
hat he was a railroad brakeman by occu-
'ation; 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. He went to
he superintendent. who referred him 10
'ome one else which ultimately resulted I
n his learning nothing as to the cause of
lis dismissal. The witness is member z
II the Brotherhood.
John F. Gaffney, the next witness called.
vas a fireman on the Reading road until '
he 18th of January. He was discharged ! {
without apparent cause. Division Super
ntendent Swaggert told him TO get out of /
he Brotherhood and he would have a
nance Of getting back on the road. .
The COnspnny's Relief Association.
H. E. Elliot, now a brakeman on the
oittsburg and Lake Erie Railroad. was the
asst witness. He was discharged from the
Employ of the Philadelphia and Reading
Road on the 9TH OF January. A letter was
cad TO him from the assistant trainmas-
er, stating that the company had no fur
her use for him His membership in the |
he assigned as the cause of his
dismissal
During the examination of witnesses I
questions were asked each by the members
Il the commission relative to the Philadei-
hia and Reading Relief Association. ,
rom the testimony it developed that each :
pplieant for a position must signify his ,
Willingness to become a member of this or
before he is employed. The :
Tues which are considerable when the
'enefits which result are taken into con- .
Liberation, are deducted from the en-
'loye's salary each month Should he be
discharged, the agreement stipulates that
III money paid in goes 10 the company
dcGuire, who lost hand in the service Of
he company. received 81 per day from the J
reading Relief Association until well
from the Brotherhood he received s. v
week and :. 200 in cash: :
,anc1F1Tehs. Sufferers ,