The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-01
SWITCHMEN'S OPEN MEETING.
A Suitable Address by Grand Master
+. &. HawIey.

The Switchmen's Union held an open
meeting in Crouch's Hall, 1125 East Tenth
street, last night. which was addressed by
F.. c. Hawley, Of Buffalo, n. ", grand
master Of the Switchmen's Union of North
America. A number OF switchmen not
members of the organization were pres
ent, and ii was to interest them that the
meeting was held: Mr.. Hawley's address
was 10 harangue on the laboring mans
ills and the war between capital and labor;
il was a conservative business talk of di-
rect interest to the s~witchmen, and did
not bristle with the jealousies that spring
up between the capitalist and laboring
classes.
He began his address by illustrating the
principles of unionism, and said that in
creases I'm wages and concessions as to
hours and other conditions had only been
gained by efforts of a solidihed system.
He said history will show that increase III
wages is due to organization. While brick
layers were paid but 81 for a tw~elve-hour
work day before they were organized. he
said they now received more than twice
that much for an eight-hour day.; and
while formerly switchmen were receiving
$3.50 a day and locomotive engineers 500
a month the situation has been reversed,
the engineers receiving high wages through
the efforts OF Sheir organization, while
the wages of the switchmen have decreased,
OWlnB 10 III ldlluAC IL blC iiCA VI
ganization.
Mr.. Hawley did not mince words in
speaking of the former organization Of
switchmen, known as the S~witchmen's Mu-
tual Association. and other railroad labor
organizations. He said when the former
organization was in a flourishing condi-
for the benefit of its associate organiza-
tons. Strikes were declared indiscrimi-
nately, he said, because IL was realized
that the switchmen were in control of the
vital nOfnfS of railway systems. and could
tie them UP in a few hours. For this as
sistance in helping others to fight their
battles. which he termed rashness. he said
the switchmen never received any return
and were left to fight their own way. Now,
he said, the new organization is nlinding
its own business, IL affiliates with no other
railway union and is in a iourishing con-
dition. The former attitude of the switch
mems union, he said, drove the railway Of
fcials into organizing the General Man.
ayers Association, now known as the
American Railway Association, whose pur-
pose at that time was TO fight the switch
men. This II did successfully, being as
sisted by the mistakes OF the switchmen
themselves. In 1894 the present organiza-
ton was set on foot, and II now has about
1900 members. Hawley said the success
OF this union is due TO the fact that they
have conducted all OF their affairs peace
ably and have attended strictly 10 their
w business.
The morality and standing of the men
has been bettered by the system of the
new organization. he said. and the agitator
ana StTlkc promoter VINO uflItS into the
swi%tchyards by the box car route In a
half drunken condition is ousted without
Mr.. Hawley spoke extensively
about drinking, and said the organization
was careful in admitting men TO member
ship. and booze fighters are not eligible
TO membership. The class OF men who al
ways have grievances. he said. Is also be-
ing eliminated by the conservative policy
OF the organization.
The community OF interest" that Is be-
ing recognized by capitalists I'm the forma-
ton of trusts and corporations Hawlcv
said were not so bad. for IL was natural
for capital TO TAKE advantage Of competi-
ton. but he said IL would be necessary
for laboring men TO meet the trusts with
own. He closed his address by again re-
ferring TO the necessity of peaceable meth
DDS being employed In settling disputes.
lie said IL Is not the purpose of labor or
CARNATIONS TO GO around carrying chips
on their shoulders for employers 10 knock
on but that the members should give
good service and conduct themselves I'm a
manner worthy of recognition by their EN-
ployers. IL this Is done. he said, there will
be no strikes or failures I'm establishing al
most any schedule the switchmen may
present.
The Switchmen's Union also has a benev-
olent feature whereby the members re-
The organization OF this branch was due
10 the fact that switchmen are classed as
the most hazardous class by insurance
companies. and some refuse TO take them
at all. Jhe switchmen pay into the or
Sanization 81 "A month for $500 death bene-
hts and 81 a month for $1.2c0. Sick bene-
fits are also carried for one year. After
Sept. l il will be compulsory for all mem
bers of the organization 10 take out in
surance IN the union.