The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-21
FIRE EN INSIST
on GRIEVANCE
Men on New Haven Prepar-
ing for Strike.
A BROTHERHOOD QUARREL
Firemen's Union Insists on Being Rep
resented in Cases of Fire
men-Engineers.
A BROTHERHOOD QUARREL

NEW YORK, Feb. 21.-While every
effort is being made by tie representa-
lives of The Brotherhood of Locomotive
FIremen TO effect a solution of the
grievance of the fremen OF the New
York, New Haven and Hartford rail-
road. the officials of the HeaG are pre-
pairing for a strike.
The situation on the New Haven road
has nothing to do with hours or wages,
While tbs fremen are endeavoring to
force the company in the issue, the
fight IS really between the Engineers
and Firenens brotherhood. Trouble
between these organizations has beer.
brewing since last spring. when, at a
national convention at Buffalo. It was
decided TO make a test of the issue on.
the New Haven road, and, If success
full there. to carry the figh% TO other
roads.
1t appears. that in the last few years
Iestlny nremen, when made engineers by
the company. failed to apply for mem
bership IN the Engineers Brotherhood
bat still retained their membership in
the hremen'S organization. The reason
given for this IS that the insurance
rates are less Tor members of ffremen's
organfza ton than for the members OF
brotherhood Of Engineers.
Engineers Brotherhood Alarmed.
The officials of the Engineers Broth
e1hood noted with alarm the number
Of young engineers who failed to ssp-
ply for membership in the enginee.s'
order. put no action was taken, and
the railroad companies. having no in
terest IN the matter, paid no satier.tion
10 il.
The officials Of the Ffremen's Union,
believing that any member of their or
or engineer, should be under their
supervision and control, decided that
Whenever their members were brought
Up on the carpet" before The company
on charges, q committee of their
ganization should represent them. The
engineers organization said that such
committee or nremen should only APP
pear when a fl enan WAS brought up,
and not when charges were preferred
against an engineer. whether he was
member OF the Engineers Brotherhood
or not. This brought on the clash.
The officers of the fremen's union
sought TO make a test case OF the
question on the New Haven road. hop
ing that the roads officials would de-
eide in their favor. The company took
the stand that any differences between
the organizations ef engineers and fire.
men We're no concern of theirs and
that the two unions should come TO an
agreement.
Firenaen Insisted on Decision.
The fire1nen insisted on forcing the
company 10 decide and President Mellen
ruled that whenever an engineer was
ould be rep
cez5ras Of engineers.
ruling over
q subcom-
tls.seVS On Uve@Hy y I'll VSuof'S Upheld the
presidents decision, at the same time
stating thas the company divided its
employees II distinct classes OF labor
and that each class should represent
Its own rgeniDers, irrespective of wheth-
er they wer- union or f1on-urlion men
The french on the New Haven road
have voted almost unanimously for a
strike, II accessory, TO gain The end
desired. Second Grand Master Shea of
the BrotherE pod of Firemen. however.
believes thas the matter can be adjust
ed by arbitration He and subeofa-
mtttee will make q report 10 the gen
era1 committee OF hremefa at New TIav-
en- today. telling what has been done TO
bring about q settlement