The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-02-18

This decision makes a strike Of hremen
OF this system a possibility, but such pre-
oIpitate action does not appear to be like
" for at least Is hours. and IT may not be
taken for many days. II at all.
The grievance committee Of the brother
hood will proceed with caution. The sug-
rest.on that arbitration is yet means
OF avoiding a conflict appears 10 have i'm
pressed that sommittee.
The brotherhood has caused poll OF
the members on the road 10 be taken on
the question OF giving the committee full
power to act I'm the premises, which may
even mean the authority 20 order a strike.
These ballots in scaled envelopes are
closely guarded here and probably will he
opened on Sunday morning
The decision was brought 10 this city
from New York by Secretary John G..
Parker OF the railroad company and de-
livered at n late hour I'm the afternoon 20
Second Vice Grand Master Timothy Shea
al room IN 4 local hotel which has
served al a headquarters OF the grievance
committee. The decision follows:
THE DECISION.
Dear Sir-Agreeable TO promise made
nv tho special committee OF the board Of
directors at the hearing with the commit
teo OF adjustment OF locomotive firemen,
on Tuesday, Feb. a. 1905, the committee
advises you OF its conclusion. as follows:
The question At issue Is the following:
THAT In the case OF engineers who have
been disciplined and the members OF the
brotherhood OF locomotive Firemen, up
on taking an appeal from the decision OF
the officers applying the discipline 10
higher officer a committee Of engineers,
members Of the Brotherhood OF Locomo-
tive Firemen. should take UP the case
with the management instead OF the en-
pineers' adjustment committee.
"The committee having carefully con-
sidered the statements made at the hear
ing, having examined the records OF the
company In regard 10 the questions at is
sue, and having consulted with the offi-
GERS OF the company concerning the same.
has reached the following conclusions.
namely:
SUSTAINED DECISION.
THAT any aggrieved engineer is guar
anteed an opportunity 20 be represented
by an advocate before the officers OF the
company by the provision contained IN
article ! Of the schedule made w~e n
locomotive engineers in our employ in
effect Jan I. 1904 I'm which article II is
provided that all engineers will be given
q fair chance TO defend themselves
against charges in holding Investigations
IAN engineers who are interested will
be allowed 10 choose a diSinterestcd en-
gineer 10 represent or accompany them
on boards of investigation n they so de-
sire, when an appeal Is made after the
first investig igation.'
"The committee is in entire accord with
the position taken and decision rendered
In this matter by the president and ex-
ecutive officials charged with the opera
ton and management of the companys
railroad. namely. that the claim OF your
committee cannot be conceded. and be-
lieves that this decision Is for the best
interests OF the company
THE decision of the president and ex-
ecutive officers as already communicated
20 you by them, IL therefore sustained.
Yours truly. CSgned)
"CHARLES F. BROOKER, Chairman.
JOHN q PARKER, Secretary"
FIREMEN HAVE VOTED.
MIR shea. on receiving the decision. de-
clined TO make any statement until after
acknowledgment OF receipt had been made
10 Secretary Parker.
Last night MIR Shea said that no public
statement would he formulated for some
time. as no preferred that the decision
should be referred TO TIE grievance com
mittee for its consideration. lie said
that a meeting of the committee would
be held this morning
In the meantime word would be sent