The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-05-16
MEN ANSWER THE COMP ANY DiSSect Statement as to
 Wages. CONDITIONS ARE CHANGED Engines Larger, Cars Heavier,
 Trains Longer. Say Actual Increase of Pay Has Been 15 Cents a Day to Conductors and 10 Cents a Day
 to Brakemen.
CONDITIONS ARE CHANGED

Mobile, May 15.-(Special)-From in- of the M. and O. tonight conditions, so far as freight traffic is concerned, were greatly improving, three through freight trains having reached Mobile from Jack son, Tenn. Traffic between Mobile and Meridian continues uninterrupted. local freights going to and from that place regularly.
 Many wholesale merchants here have been greatly inconvenienced through the stoppage of trains but are making the best of strained conditions.
 The strikers continue orderly and stay away from the M. and o. property. They maintain they are gaining strength.
 A rumor gained currency today that head-end passenger wreck occurred on the north end, but this was positively denied by the general manager.
 A meeting of the Orders of Railway Conductors and Trainmen was held today at which circular of great length was drawn up, and later given out, wherein the side of the railroad men now out is presented. After asserting that certain newspapers (names not used) are pro- claiming, with flaming headlines, that ''the strikers have lost out, that trains, both passenger and freight, are being regularly and systematically moved" a denial follows, in which the following language is used: "The legal machinery, with well-known hands at the throttle, has been started on the one hand, while the voice of the sycophant, the fiatterer, has been brought into play on the other hand, one to intimidate, the other to per- suade, few weak brothers to join in the oppression and the decimation of the strikers ranks. Such action may succeed, but God forbid.'' -7''-.
 Favors to the M. 6 o.
 Then follows the assertion that Mobile merchants have, by their force and pow CT, added showers of favoritism upon the M. and O. system, that at all times and under all circumstances has received at the hands of municipal administrations special grants and franchises. Reference is made to those who volunteered their service to the company and also to the crippled condition of commerce.
 After the introductory the statement presents certain figures, alleging the real bone of contention is size of trains. The following is an excerpt:
 When our last schedule of wages was
 
 were 15 to 151a in size; capacity of cars averaged 24,000 pounds and the average number of cars to a train was 2S. Since that time the size of the cylinder has been increased to p inches. capacity of cars to from 10000 to 100000 pounds and the average number of cars in a train in- creased to any number from 40 to 5O Coming to the dispute over the question of double heading. which is one of the questions at issue between the manage ment and men. they couple together two of these monster engines and haul eighty to 110 cars. For service on these trains the manager insists that the pay shall be the same as for single trains. while the men asked for double pay when the earning capacity Is doubled.
 The circular alleges that the extra length of trains increases the risk to op- eratives and is a burden of responsibility Inc statement of earnings already printed is dissected the allegation being made that the increase was due to the men being compelled to make extra runs involving loss of sleep necessary to proper and cautious work. The claim is made that the real increase of wages has only been 15 cents per day to conductors and 10 to brakemen.
 Mayor Mclean this afternoon received the following telegram from Jackson. The Commercial Club of Jackson, Tenn, is making strong effort to in 1uence a settlement of the Mobile and Ohio strike. Confer with your commer- cial bodies and advise if you would like to be represented in joint meeting we are trying to arrange.
 Samuel L. Sparks
 Secretary Commercial Club" Immediately on receipt of the above Mayor Mclean called upon Presidents M. Hamburger, Jr.. of the Commercial Club and J. H. McAndrew of the Cham Der of Commerce and these men consent ed to call meetings of the Boards of Di- rectors of their respective bodies. The Chamber of Commerce Board met at D. m. and deferred action until tomorrow The Commercial Club directorate met at tonight and after deliberating. adopted a resolution to the effect that it was mad visable to take action in the matter at this time.