New-York tribune., 1906-04-30
SECRET UNION MEETING
ENGINEERS TALK MOTOR.
Proposed Change to Electric Trac-
ton Causing Discussion.

The New York Central division of the Brother
h,os Of Locomotive Engineers held d meeting yes
,s-5av in Grand Central Palace to discuss affairs
IN The New York Central system SIX hundred
Engineers were present were also delegates from
,ps divisions of the brotherhood on all the roads
-1nnng into New York The meeting was Sc
s-f one and il was the general impression that its
rrincpaI business was TO consider the question o.
how the engineers Will stand when the New York
Central begins 10 Introduce its electric motors.
This is a question that viii be taken mp by the ma
ioaal body at its convention in May, ultimately
II viii affect the entire brotherhood.
II was said after the meeting that no action had
been taken regarding the question OF electric
motors Thomas Brisset chiet engineer of Dlvi-
sion lE. said afterward thai this was the first
meeting of the kind held in this city. and one OF
series of half yearly meetings TO consider condi-
lions or changes in the system. The reports from
the various subdivisions he said, showed that there
was no friction with the officers Of the company
Asked what would be done when the general
tendency TO introduce electric motors on the steam
railroads shah take shape. he said:
We are rot worrying about that. and have taken
action 81 That matter with a number of
others equally important. probably VIII come be-
fore the annual convention of the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers. IN Memphis. Tenn, on May
g We believe that when electricity Is introduced
the engineers who have a contract with the COM
nany viii be the rnotormen. as they were the
elevated roads. a. the same wages they are re-
ceiying as engineers Il requires the trained care
- r,i-- ,,-.--,-- ,-.or- e. ,oaI-a
competent engineer. and the same qualifications
are required mOtOrmen.
We do not anticipate any trouble whatever when
x - = a. I1iliA "a
railroads. We have always avoided all fric-
ton with employers and have been the best
o. terms with them They know they trust
and are disposed 70 be fair Matters viii adjust
themselves 10 new conditions they come. It
VII be q long time before electric motors are in
general the railroads before the
experimental stage is passed in equipping systems
witt .'eTn. The conditions, I believe. viii be
met satisfactorily as they come.
delegate Of Typographical Union No. 6 had the
floor for a lve-Tninute talk the eiEtt-hour ques-
uon. Some Of the engineers who were seen said
they were al in sympathy with the eight-hour
agitation. On long system runs, however, it would
be difficult 10 have a hard and fast eight-hour
workday conditions might arise which would
lengthen the work into more than eight hours The
engineers generally are paid by the mile. The
wages Of the locomotive engineers range from SO 30
q S % or a day
Though the officers of the various divisions of
te Brotherhood OF Locomotive Engineers do not
discuss the subject Of electric motors, II Is
E0ered seriously by the rank and file The best in
formed realize that though there disadvantages
VIII the third rail system. which make it imprac-
ucabe for long system trips. sooner or later plans
WI be devised by which electricity will supplant
Eteanl