The Washington times., 1905-11-14
EMPLOYEES OPPOSE
RATE REGULATION;
CALL ONPRESIDENT
Railroad Men Representing Four Big Organ
izations Appeal to Roosevelt to Pre-
vent Harmful Legislation.

rate regulation means rate reduction,
and rate reduction means reduction OF
This is what delegation OF railroad
employees. representing the five great
brotherhood orders, told the President
this morning in their protest against
any action looking toward the regula-
tion of railroad rates In the coming ses-
sion OF Congress.
The delegation was composed OF nine
teen men. all OF whom are workmen In
the ranks, representing the Brotherhood
OF Railroad Trainmen; the order OF
Railroad Conductors, the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers. the Brother
hood Of Locomotive ffremen, ana the
Switchmen's Union. They han from
twelve different States.
Spokesman Huntley.
The spokesman OF the delegation was
George Huntley, q conductor on tne
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern raii-
way AR. Huntiey stated at the outset
that there was no taint OF psrtlsansnlp
or political coloring in their mission.
Mr.. Huntley said:
''One million and a quarter Of rail-
way employees in this country have noted
with concern the tendency toward ma
rional legislation upon railroad rates. and
as there has appeared no hint that any
general increase f. the prevailing rstes
was contemplated, we are forced to be-
neve that the other alternative must
Z follow. and general reduction IN the
earning power OF our railway lines will
result"
The speaker went on TO say that they
believed any reduction III the earning
capacity OF the railroads will interfere
with their prosperity. Mr.. Hunuey de
clared that they believed any vicious
and unlawful practices by the railroads
could be eradtcated by the application
Of present laws After saying that the
organizations which they represented
had a membership of over quarter OF
q million Mr.. Huntley concluded his re
marks as follows:
Much Monsy Spent.
Many years and much money has
been spent by the organizations and mer
here represented IN establishing a fail
wage and labor condition, and another
fun million OF wage earners are stfil
behind US with fair demands unsatis-
ted: but hoping that future prosperity
end 55roteeti0n- for the railroad INTEREST,"
Of our country would eventually insure
10 them higher wagc and more tOler-
able labor surroundings; therefore, Mr.
President. not only for ourselves anl
the ones We represent and hold dear
but also for that great army Of laborins
brothers behind US in the railroad world
We ask that 10 national legislation
which shall. in any degree. interfer,
with or interrupt the present or future
prosperity Of these. or any. classes O
railway employees, receive your sanction
or approval
President interested.
The President listened to the remarks
OF Mr.. HuntIey with great interest. ans
then informed the railroad men tha
he thanked them for presenting thei
side OF the case 10 him. and assure,
-, -
tiOn whatever he did would be dom
with a view 10 giving Justice TO all. Z
the railroads, their employees. and th'
people AT large
Personnel of Delegation.
The delegation. which is stopping a
the Riggs House. is composed OF I'll
following men. none CT whom are gen
eral officers in their respective organi
zations:
". n. Clark. Chicago chairman; O
r. g: P. Kndun. Chicago. vice chair
man, y. L. T.; Charles Il Warren o
Chicago. secretary; 5. n Fitch, Chi
cago; c. a PInney, George Huntley
Chicago; William Welch. Kansas city
w Stephens. Caldwell. Kansas. an,
A Conners. Chicago. all Of the Orde
OF Railway Conductors. T. s. Rodgers
Madison. Wis; J. s. Williams, Sedalla
No: John Reynolds. Atchison. Kan.
&. X Mitchell, Boston. and w Payne
Jackson. Mich Of the Brotherhood @
Locomotive Engineers. Charles Davis
Of Ia Crosse. Ms, Of the Rrotherhoo
Of Locomotive Firemen. n. $. Mayss
Wellington. Kan. and A. +. ByseI
Kansas city. OF the Brotherhood @
Railway Trainmen. George I4ovejoy. Pin
Bluff. Ark. and q. II. Ireland, OF In
diana Harbor. Ind. Of the Switchmen'
TniGn.
". NJ. Clark. who is chairman Of IN
committee, gave out the follOwin
statement after the audience with th
President:
chairman's Statement
The railroad employees, and thos
dependent upon them. representing VI
ward Of 10000 Of people in this couT
try. and whose earnings, approximate!
amount TO s500. 600 600 annually, and ~
believe that there is no other class {
American vgorkmen who present a higl
er general standard Of citizenship ina
the railroad employees. and We also elail