The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-06-15
PLOYES TRADE
WITH RAILROADS
To Oppose Rate Legislation
for Quid Pro Quo.
WANT LEGISLATION ALSO
Employers Liability Bill and Anti
Injunction Bill May Pass
Congress.


Practical politics is developing IN the
relations of the railroad managers and
the organizations of railroad employees.
The next session of Congress Is eN-
pected to bring TO a focus efforts, afoot
for long time, to secure legislation for
the protection of railroad employees
For years there has been pending the
employers liability bill, to fix the liza
bility of employers 10 their servants
when engaged in interstate commerce
A number Of large railroad systems
have organized insurance departments,
In which they insure their employees
against accident or death while in the
service The insurance departments col
lects its premiums out of the employees
wages, and requires him TO sign a con-
tract by which. in consideration OF the
indemnity promised from the insurance
department, he valves the right OF dam
age suit against the railroad company
in case of injury.
Important Organizations.
The most important of these organ
izations are those sustained by the
Pennsylvania, Baltimore and Ohio. and
Burlington roads. Other systems, how
ever, are moving toward adoption OF
the same system.
The employees Of the roads protest
against it on two grounds: First, that
their premiums are taken from their
earnings, and therefore that the COM
pany really avoids all liability for dam
ages; and. second, that this plan does
great injury to labor organizations be-
cause the mutual insurance feature is
one of the strongest ties to hold togeth-
er the railroad labor organizations.
When employees 3re compelled to be-
long and pay premiums to the com
pany's insurance department they have
less object in retaining membership
also in their own fraternity.
In many States laws have been passed
providing that this contract of waiver
of the right to sue shall not be effective; /;
that the right of action may not be
contracted away, either for the empioye
or his estate.
Employees desire also to procure the
passage Of such Federal law so that
Federal courts may be bound by it,
rather than the old fellow-servdnt rue
The railroads have vigorously resisted
all attempts in this direction, and thus
far have been successful.
But the agitation of the railroad rate
regulation issue has Dut n new face on
relations between railroads and their
employees. The railroads are anxious to
have the solid su"port of employees in
ton of rates They have been success
full thus far i'll organizing employees
against any such policy. Resolutions
have been ado'ted by manv orsaniza-
-
they oppose Federal regulation on the
ground that ii must in time reduce reve-
pues. which wouid soon be felt in re-
ductions of wages.
Willing to Trade.
But now, according to report in some
high labor circles. the employees have
! bethought themselves OF the chance 20
do a little barterLng. Why not demand,
in consideration of their political sup
port in the matter of rate regulation.
| that their employers permit the passage
| of the employers liability bill?
Another measure TO which the labor
| ing people are addressing themselves, it
| is reported. is the anti-injunctfon bill
This slso they are anxious to have pa ss-
/ ed Now, il is reported. they are max
| ing a move toward trading influence
| they will support tie railroads against
rate regulation, with the power of their
| l,200, 600 votes and membership, If the
railroads will allow these measures to