The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-30
Coast Line Trainmen Adopt New
Policy Concerning Demands.
Will Wait for Public Opinion to
Do It's Work.
A. G. WELLS TALKS.
Says Cajon Wreck Will Not
Make Trouble.
Strong Objections to Long
Trains on CajOn Grade.

los Angeles. Jan. 30.-There is an un-
dercurrent Of trouble among some OK
the employees Of the Santa Fee company.
Instead of making demand on the
comnanv the men composing the train
crews may arrive at the conclusion that
they win leave the matter Of their griev-
ancas to the arbitrament of the public
The conductors and trainmen viii de-
pend upon public opinion to force the
enactment of laws that will com2el the
railroads 10 provide greater security TO
the men who have charge of the trains.
Such is the present attitude of the men,
but if they win be of the same mind
after the investigation of the wreck on
the Cajon pass, which is being made by
the chiefs OF the order of Railroad Con-
ductors and Order of Railroad Train
men is the point that viii decide what
steps viii be taken. This grievance
coualed with that of the delayed an
swer to the demand of conductors and
trainmen for an increase of wages
forms an issue that to hold within re-
Btraint REQUIRES the coolest judgment
OF the leaders of the two orders
1t was like tanning q smouldering nre
when the other day a train crew was
discharged because the men refused to
take an unusually long train over CaJoI
pass The men complained that 1t was
unsafe to take so heavy a train over the
grade. claiming that a single train crew
consisting of conductor and two
hrakemen. could not with security
handle the train. The complaint was
referred to the superintendent at once,
but the men were told to go with the
Tain or lose their positions.
MANAGER WELLS HEARD.
A. G. Wells, general manager for the
coast lines Of the Santa Fe. says that
he has heard nothing of the impending
trouble over the long train question,
and does not believe that there was any
agitation that might lead TO a labor
trouble. OF the train crew that it was
said was discharged for refusing to take
long train over Cajon pass, Mr.. Wells
said.
"A long time ago-a month. yes. five
or six weeks ago&A're was some such
matter brought TO my attention. But
there has been no discharge of men
that has not been accepted by the orders
of conductors and trainmen; there is
nothing or thar kind. I am sure, that
can lead to trouble. If there was any
real agita lion I surely would know
about it.
THE Cajon grade wreck was not due
10 a long train. The engine was de-
tached and the train was standing on
the grade when it got away. The wreck
IS being Investigated by the local Off
Gals. 1t does not come under the head
or the long train question.
All over the country there is talk of
measures against the long trains lit is
not matter peculiar to the Santa Fe.
There has been talk of demanding dOu-
hle pay for handling trains of more
81 % 30 cars. but as yet not any definite
4ct-cn has been taken
81 am unable to say when the COM
zlittee from the conductors and train
men viii receive d reply to their de-
mand for more pay The matter is be-
ing handled away from here, and their
answer viii come from Chicago"
TRAINS UNUSUALLY HEAVY
For several months Santa Fe and
Southern Pacific train crews have COM
planned that the length of trains they
We're compelled to handle doubled their
work and added greatly to the risks Gf
their occupation. Southern Pacific men
had less to complain Of. as on that road
when The trains are made larger the
crew is enlarged. A member OF the
Santa re committee that is here await
1ng an answer to the demand for in
creased ages, discussing the long train
danger said.
Public opinion will settle this mat
ter for as. tt is something that. in my
opinion, cannot be taken up by the rail-
readers alone and brought to a salts
factory issue Once the public has been
made to understand the matter the
railroads Will be forced to make better
provisions for the security of the men
who handle the trains and for the trav-
cling public 1t can be done by legisla-
ton. In my opinion. that is the only
way that we can find help. The legis-
latures make laws against child labor
limit the number of hours of work, for
Did unsanitary workshops. and make
various other provisions for the aid and
protection Of workers Is it not as rea-
sOnable that laws should be made for
the protection of men whose work at the
very best is extremely hazardOus2 And
the public, too. should be protected.
Trans of a hundred cars or more