The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-01-16
Under The Federation They Could Not do
This on Their Own Responsibility.
AFFILIATED BODIES MUST CONSENT.
Pssdsni Arthur Of The Engineers Brohsrtoud
Saw Weakness Of Federation from The outset
so His Organization Old Not Join.

| the consolidation known as the Ameri-
| can Federation of Railroad Employees
! will go out of existence The federation
| is composed OF four organizations Of
railroad employes-the Brotherhood Of
Locomotive Firemen, order of Railroad
Telegraphers. order of Railroad Train
men and order OF Railroad Conductors.
1t was organized in 1898. and has
more or less checkered career ever
since. The only organization OF RAJ road
employees not affiliated with this feder-
| alton was the Brotherhood OF LOComO-
tive Engineers, Grand Chief Il. NJ Ar
| thur of that organization refusing 10
become part OF the combination.
AT the time that the federation was
proposed. Mr.. Arthur publicly stated
THAT his objections were not against a
federation OF the railroad labor organi-
zations so much as against the rules
under which the federation was 10 op-
crate. He stated further that his prin-
cipal objection was not to the idea OF
cooperation of the men, but that the
proposed federation would destroy the
autonomy of the engineers and he re-
fused to sanction any scheme which
made IL necessary for the y. T.. T.. to
get permission to go on a strike from
persons other than engineers. At the
his policy OF not Joining the federation,
many active men I'm the labor move
ment were denouncing him secretly, IL
not openly.
ARTHUR JUSTIFIED.
The breaking up OF the organization
justifes Mr.. Arthur's course. as IL is
well understood that while federation
was all right in theory, II failed 20 ac-
complish what Its friends desired when
- TO a practical test.
1t was found that the organization.
as represented by joint agreement or
the officers of the four powerful unions.
was practically bound hand and foot so
far as concerned any demands they
thought necessary TO make.
IL was further found when the fede-
rated unions agreed not to strike un
less after a conference with the man
agement OF the railroad and until unan-
imous consent from the chief executive
officers Of all four unions had been OBJ
tained, that these unions surrendered
their power TO govern themselves and
were deprived OF freedom of action in
managing their trade affairs A con-
ductor or a trainman was able to die
tate the terms under which a locomo.
tive fireman or a tclegrapher should
work or vice versa.
STRENGTH INCREASED.
AS the organization goes out Of ex-
istence, IL is understood that the
of the several unions is in
since they can now strike with
out the consent of anybody except the |
persons who desire TO go on strike
Any union will be now in a position |
to render financial or moral assistance |
10 any brother union which may desire /
to go on strike, and all employees NAV |
han
not rectified and all the laws of their /
own organization have been complied |
with.
On this account there Is much rejoic-
pg among the railroad union men in
he New England States, who allege
hat until they have the power 10 quit
work on a few hours notice their COM
plants against unfair treatment will
not be attended to by the officials of
'ailroads.
The rank ami Hle VI the members Of
the railroad labor organizations feel
that they now can remedy their grev-
ances more quickly ana cffec lively by
-heir independent stand than they pos
sibly could under the present system
soon 10 be abolished. The feeling now
8 that as soon as the federation is
lbolished the greatest good can he ac-
without as much friction as
inder system OF cooperation which
made it possible for one man on what
vas known as the Federated Board"
q prevent an organization Of men en-
ragged in railroad service from going on
trlke for years when their grievances
justified such step.
THE TELEGRAPHERS.
The order Of Railroad Telegraphcrs. /
Inflated as it is with the great Ameri-
an Federation OF Labor will receive
he greatest benefit through the disso-
utiOn of the American Federation OF /
railroad Employees. 1t Is understood
hat the agreement for voluntary CO.
peration. as declared for by Grand
'hief Arthur OF the Brotherhood OF
locomotive Engineers. will result in a
trOng cooperative movement which :
'il make Il possible for unions having
rfevances TO get them rectihed with
ut strike. because the power TO
trike. which they now have. will COM
land respectful attention from rail-
Dad managers.
The new movement is on similar lines
, those on which the building trades
ouncll Is organized. 10 practically B
rings the strength OF the individual
MONS back 10 where Il was before they
lied the experiment OF forming fed
ration. Some men among the officers
local unions OF railroad employees
ave always regarded with suspicion
ny member 0f the Federated Board"
no might have COusrientious sorupIes
gainst voting 90 permit "A strike %
abroad employees upon any system
no more conservative officers of the
GARD have felt this criticism keenly.
ld they. too. were not 10th 20 dissolve ~
le American Federation of Railroad
-
ngland railroad labor situation can
ily be coniccturad but tho employees
BON the railroad systems who arc
Hing and in position 10 talk arc
nguinc that only tho bost results
ill come from the latest form " vol.