The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-06
LABOR MEN ARE
DEADL0CkED
Norfolk and Western Railway Is.
sizes Statement as to
Controversy,
.FlREMEN AND ENGINEERS.

General Manager y. y. Mailer, of the
Norfolk anu Western Railway Company,
has issued n long printed statement in
the form of a circular letter addressed to
1.-The Locomotive Firemen and Engineers
in the Service of the Norfolk and West
ern Railway" Tho letter outlines the
attitude OF the company toward the two
classes of employees In the controversy
between them as to which of the ac-
credited committees is authorized to nego-
tate and deal with the management of
the railway with respect to rules, regula-
tiony and rates of pay and particularly
subjects affecting grievances OF engineers,
whether they are members OF the Broth
erhood of Locomotive engineers. Brother
Hood of Locomotive Fircmen, or neither
Of these organizations The management
states that il takes this method Of piac-
ing In the possession OF each engineer
and fireman the company's position in the
controversy.
The controversy arose in November 1893,
oyer the insertion in its rules and regula-
itons of the following request by the
firemcn's organization.
Article NLVI. The management ac-
cords to any cngineman, who thinks he
has been liniustly dealt with. the right
10 be represented by the hrcmen's pro-
tective board, who shall! be given all au-
diencc by the company. IT, however, the
]. enginemen's committee have already
taken up this case, the firemens commit
tee will have no jurisdiction
So far as the management of the com
many knew at the time there was nt
objection made by the accredited repre-
scntatives or committee Of engineers t.
the above quoted regulation, and no oh
lection wasAlnadc ,Mntil abou, the midGl,
OF the rear'"1toS.
On February J. 1906, tho management
at the request of the committee Of en-
Sineers, inserted the following regulation
in tho rules and regulations relative I
engineers:
The cigincmens committee will handl
All business pertaining to enginemen.'
The company states that in this con
,royersy affecting, two labor organization
the company itself has had no part q
interest. except to see Just. wise an
permanent settlement Of the controvcrs,
so that the travelling and the shippin
public, the employees and the compan,
shall not suffer. 1t then reviews II
efforts made TO bring about solutio
OF the difficulty and the suggestion I
four separate propositions for settlemcI
made by the management at a mectI
in Roanoke on January II, 1907. at whic
representatives OF the railway and t
two organizations were present. All fol
of these suggestions We're rejected BY OF
or the other OF the parties In interes
as were several amendments or subsutu
plans proposed by one or the other.
Another conference held Mt Columhu
o., proved equally unfruitful OF result
whereupon President johnson announe
the policy of the railway company
follows. The engineers committee W
handle all business pertaining TO the g
sncers: the hremcn's committee "
handle all business relating TO the fl
men There the matter stands at presel
the two labor organizations having be
unable 10 agrea on any plan OF settlclne
or of arbitration. The company Is c
deavoring to protect its own interes
from suffering through a disagreement
TWO classes OF its employees, upon be
OF whom Il is largely dependent for I
running Of ali trains.