Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1906-07-18
HEAD on BRoTHERHooD OF EN-
GiNEERS ONCE A DISCIPLE
OF BLACKsToNE.
COMMON SENSE ~ THE FIRST
REQUISITE OF MAN BEHIND
THE THRoTTLE.

indiVidualities for a cmommon inter
est. stand together In single and
silent brotherhood They sompose
perhaps, the most respected. dignified
aud effective labor organization I'm
the world. Recently they met at
Memphis, by their delegates. and I'm
wisdom and decorum remained i'm
session for a period OF four weeks
No disagreemonts. no scandals. no
threats, no foolishness came out of
their close sagacious and intelligent
assembly
Forty-three years ago Ave or six
engineers met at private house I'm
the town OF Marshall. on the Michi-
gan Central railroad. The superin-
t"ndent OF motive power had cut
their wages and had otherwise given
them occasion for dissatisfaction
W. ID. Robinson had suggested the
meeting and IL was held. probably.
at his home. A month later. May.
1863 engineers from six roads came
together in Detroit and organized
the brotherhood OF the Footboard. n
name, however, which did not endure
long. Twelve men signed their
names TO the constitution and by-
laws. During the next three months
subdivisions or lodges. were formed
at Marshall and Adrian, In Michigan:
at Norwalk and Crestlme. in Ohio: at
Lafayette. Michigan City and La
porte. In indiana and at Chicago. I'm
the following August these snbdly-
ions were brought into national
body and Robinson was elected grand
chief engineer.
Keep sober, be decent a4id mind
your own business" has been the
watchword and the policy of the
brotherhood from first to last Moral
character became almost as necessa-
ry AS mechanical skill Drunkenness
was punished by expulsion from the
order The case OF Robinson Is n
Illustrative ON this point The broth
erhood was his inspiration and ere
alton. The Michigan Central rail
road dismissed him from it's service
because OF his activity In the worl,
OF organization. He had done much.
therefore, and suffered much for the
engineers, but he had treated his
wife and children uukindIy and so
his Office In the brotherhood was Ia
ken from him. Moreover. he was even
denied entrance 10 the second annual
session Of the order although he APP
Deared as duly authorized delegate
from lawful subdivision in good
standing
The objects Of this organization" ="
said Charles Wilson. the chief officer
who succeeded Robinson. are main
ly TO improve the condition Of loco
motive engineers. first by insisting
that they must De men 10 good moral
character" After ten years Of service
Wilson was followed by Peter ".
Arthur, Scotchman. and an ongi
neer OF a fast train on The New York
Central railroad u many respects
Arthur was the most conspicuous
and competent leader Of labor this
country has ever known He was
shrewd. able and rcuccnt. Hr lived
within his salary and invested bis
savings in profitable undertakings
Thus in time be- came 10 own % nuc
house and 10 ride in his own car
riage Furthermore. ho was an elder
In the Presbyterian church Hc could
meet Jay Gould or any Of the Wander
bilts on an cuuaifv 600 everything
save money. and hc was no bogger at
that
For nearly thirty wears Arthur
held the brotherhood OF locomotive
Engineers to their early principles.
and gave them now principles which
increased their means and strength
Envious competitors I'm the world Of
labor snecred go his horses and his
other visible Witnesses Of prosperity.
but the engineers themselves were
proud of' his success. Of his reputation
as man Of business. and never
questioned bis personal integrity or
his loyalty 20 the order he served go
brilliantly He died at one of their
conventions. on the floor OF the meet.
Continued on second page.