The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-03
SPEAK
FOR THEMSELVES.
SETTLEMENT OF NEW HAVEN
TROUBLE "A PRECEDENT.
Northwestern Roads Probably Will Fol-
low-The Principles Laid Down in
that Case In Adjusting Differences
With Their Employees They
Are and What They Mean.

General managers of the railroad
low the principles laid down in the set
Element Of the serious controversy on
the New York, New Haven & Hartford
railway, the details of which have Just
been received by them thru official
channels. The controversy originally
involved only the engineers and firemen
OF that system, but finally became so
serious that the management was drawn
in. In the final settlement, which railway
followed as a precedent in the settle
ment Of parallel difficulties, the highest
officials of the New Haven road and
even the members Of it's directorate
were compelled to take a hand. A
serious strike was narrowly averted.
The settlement is regarded as of un-
usual Importance because of its bear
other difficulties between manage
ments and employees: In the past few
years situations similar to that which
brought on the New Haven troubles
have existed on railway lines in the
northwest. None Of these, however,
was settled in such manner as to estab-
lish recognized precedent.
The issue on the N ew Haven, Of which
Charles s. Mellen, former president Of
L
ecutive head, was in the first instance
between two classes Of employees, the
engineers and the fremen. It conferred
on the question whether fireman, after
promotion to the grade of engineer,
should carry his grievances to the man
|agement thru the .fremen,s organization
or thru the engineers. The tiremen as
a body contended for the right to con-
tinue to represent the former member
of their ranks. The engineers contend
ed for the right to represent each new
fledged engineer. The war between the
brotherhoods almost Immediately. in
volved the New Haven $ entire policy of
handling the adjustment of difficulties
with it's employees. A serious situation
| ensued during which a bitter strike
was imminent and during. which the
| impaired.
Tho Adjustment.
The final adjustment is along middle
lines. The brotherhoods establish the
vital principle Of their right to handle
their own affairs without outside inter
ference. Tie. New Haven takes the
must be made thru the medium Of an
adjustment committee Of it's own en-
ployees, representing exclusively the
class Of labor of which it is made up.
Difficulties Involving fremen must be
handled jointly by the fremen's adj
just,nent colnmitte and the management.
Differences with the engineers must be
handled by the engineers adjustment
committee. Neither committee will ex'
ercise authority in behalf Of employees
outside of it's own class. Recently
promoted fremen will be represented by
the engineers committee and new-made
fremen by the firemen g COMMITTEE.
The settlement is supplemented by i'm
portant additional measures which pro
vide that employees shall be given 8
"square deal' in defending themselves
during Investigations. On appeal from
the first Investigation involving fire
man or engineer, the latter Is to be
permitted to select one or two fellow
employees of the same class and EN-
ployed by the company as advocates, tt
appear with him and speak with au
thority in his behalf before the manage
ment. Engineers or fremen suspended
and found innocent of charges made
against them will be reinstated without
loss of rank and with full pay for time
lost. All suspensions must be made OF
written notice giving the cause OF sus
pension and its length.
Employees for Themselves.
The effect of the settlement, which i
, concurred in by the three main interest
involved, the firemen, the engineer
, and the management, is to simplify ad
iustments and place them on fair an,
square basis. Engineers will speak TO
engineer and firemen for fremen, and i
handling adjustments the management
will zeal exclusively with its own en-
lpioyees.
> The settlement is regarded by north