New-York tribune., 1905-02-18
FlREM EN- LOSE DEMAND.
THEY TAKE NO ACTION.
Committee Meets Here-Engineers
Would Help Road IN Strike.

The special committee of directors of the New
York, New-Haven and Hartford appointed to
consider the demand of the locomotive firemeE
employed by the road met here yesterday and
decided to reject that demand The refusal
conveyed to Timothy Shea, second vice-grand
master of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Fire
men. at New-Haven last night and 1t now re-
maths to be seen whether not the firemen
will carry into effect the threat attributed to
them in case of refusal. strike They have
already had a secret ballot and voted what
action to take should they be confrontei by the
situation they now face. but the nature of this
vote has not been revealet.
The fremen took no action the statement
FROM the committee at New-Haver last night,
but Mr. Shea's words indicated that there was
little probability of immediate strike if any
The refusal was contained in the following
statemen: to Mr.. Shea:
The New-York New-Haven and Hartford Rail-
road COmpany-Presdents Office, at New
York, February II, 1903.
Mr. Timothy Shea, Second Vice-Grand Master
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. New
Haven, Conn.
Dear Sir: Agreeable to promise made by the
special committee. board of directors, at the
hearing with the committee of adjustment OF
locomotive 1remen, held at Grand Central Sta
ton New-York on Tuesday, February II. 19O0
the committee advises you Of its conclusion, as
follows;
in the case of engineers who have been dfsci-
plined and are members of the brotherhood OF
Locomotive Firemen, upon taking an appeal
from the decision of the officers applying the
discipline to higher officer. that a committee
of engineers, members of the brotherhood or
Locomotive Firemen. should take up MS case
with che management instead of the engineers
adjustment committed
The committee having carefully considered the
statements made at the hearing having exam
ined the records of the company In regard to
the questions at issue, and having consulted
of he
same has reached the following conclusions
namely:
That any aggrieved engineer is guaranteed an
opportunity to be represented by an advocate
before the officers of the company by the pro-
vision contained in Article l of the schedule
made with the locomotive engineers in our en-
plov in effect January !, 1901 In which article
it is provided that 'all engineers will be given
a fair chance to defend themselves against
charges in holding Investigations. All en-
gineers who interested Will be allowed TO
Choose a disinterested engineer to represent or
accompany them on boards of investigation. IL
they so desire, when an appeal is made after the
first investigation"
The committee is in entire accord with the
position taken and decision rendered in this mat
ter by the president and executive officials
charged with the operation and management OF
the company's railroad namely, that the claln
of vour committee connot be conceded, and be-
lieve that this decision is for the best interests
of the company.
The decision of the president and executive
officers. as already communicated to You by
them, is therefore sustained. Yours truly,
-
Chairman,
JOHN G. PARKER.
Secretary.
The committee of directors which met In the
directors room at the Grand Central Station
was composed of j. Pierpont Morgan George r.
Brooker. Of Ansonia, Conn: George j. Brush Of
Naugatuck, Conn: William Skinner of Holyoke'
and George Miller.
A delegation OF members Of the brotherhood
Of Locomotive Engineers with the sub
committee until after II o'clock. Then Pres-
dent Mellen and Vice President Todd, of the
road Joined the committee.
The delegation had told the committee that the
Brotherhood of Engineers would stand by the
railroad I'm case of a strike.
At the close of the committees meeting. just
before . o'clock this statement was given out;
Secretary John G. Parker OF the sub commit
tee was instructed by the committee TO say
that he is going 20 New-Haven this after
noon and will try 10 make known the decision
of the committee before the close of business.
The COMMITTEES feels it would be unfair 70 the
6rernen's committee to make public any portion
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