The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-06-18
THE BROTHERHOOD OF SYMPA.
THY,

N.Y..
The Brotherhood of Locomotive En-
gineers is holding a national conven-
ton in this city, but it attracts no at
tention from Los Angeles organized
labor, with the solitary exception Of
its own local lodge. There is a reason
for this and it is the fact that the
organization referred to represents that
class of satisfied, well paid wage ear
ers who believe in looking out solely
for themselves and letting the rest Of
humanity get along as best they can.
mo entangling alliances was the
policy laid down by Mr.. Arthur. For
many years it has been the guide Of
the Brotherhood, although it has been
bitterly fought by minority, and par
ticular]y in the west, where the SYM
pathetic tie between the engineers and
the other railroad employees appears to
be strong, and mutual helpfulness the
natural order.
While thousands Of members in the
Brotherhood opposed the selfishness
and exclusiveness Of the policy it has
so long followed they were not strong
enough to change it, and it is respect
for this minority Of blue" gen.
erous men that has prevented more
open and frequent condemnation from
the general labor public. These pro-
gressives in the Brotherhood have al
ways been willing to join hands with
those less fortunate in their wages
and conditions, but every word and
effort in that direction has been
frowned upon by those in control until
the engineers have become everywhere
known as the most selfish Of all rail-
way organizations.
This policy, Of course, is loudly ap-
plauded by the railway companies and
union-hating newspapers. It must
have been somewhat embarrassing to
the delegates to the present conven.
ton to have the Los Angeles Times, a:
paper that Systematically and persis-
tently damns unionism, warmly praise
their Brotherhood; and the severest
criticism than can be laid upon the
engineers is to say that they deserved
the praise Of the scab Times!
There is not, we believe, a single
case in labor history where the Broth
erhood of Locomotive Engineers has
helped another organization out OF
trouble. The cry for help often comes
to the Brotherhood. but came unheed-
ed. When, however, the Brotherhood
has Itself been hard hit It did not
hesitate to beg for help and usuallv
got 1t. Repeatedly the trainmen have
given up their jobs to help the engin-
GERS out on a strike, but If such BROTH
erly sympathy was ever anywhere re-
Warded by a return in kind, it was not
by the sanction or permission Of the
brotherhood. No such "entangling al
lance was to be thought of unless It
entangled the Brotherhood from a
strike in which it was getting whipped
Since the lost Burlington strike of 1885
the stand alone" policy of this great
labor organization and the service /,
has thus rendered to the railway COM
panies has kept it out of trouble. bul
at the expense of the less fortunate
wage earners. It paid the commands
well to make terms peacefully with
the engineers and thus prevent thu
concerted action of the various railway
unions. 1t cost something to be sure
but it has been made up many time.
over out of the dfsorganization Il
maintained The companies have uset
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engin-
GERS to defeat every effort toward fed.
Grafton that held the slightest CLEAN
Of hope for the firemen, brakemen and
switchmen, and when more than tina
was needed to defeat unionism it. ha;
even furnished men to fill the places
Of other engineers on strike, as tn
undisputed records fully prove. >:
The Brotherhood Of Selfishness ha
had it's day. We are close upon thu
hour when only the Brotherhood O
Sympathy can hold up it's head anon,
men. ..