Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-07-03
TROLLEY UNIONS GRIEVANCE.
Providence Trouble the Cause-FouI
 States Represented.

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 New Haven, July 3.-Yarious and contradictory have been the state ments of the local members of the trolley mems union as to their action in the meeting held in Knights of Co lumbus hall yesterday afternoon. Ac- cording to an official statement sent out of this city the union is seriously considering action to support the del egates from Providence in their stand against the railroad officials, but one of the local leaders made direct state ments to the contrary.
 A member of the union said that there was no thought of interference by the union, and that the Providence branch could settle their own diffi- culties
 This, however, is the gist of the official report sent out of town: There was a joint conference of the trolleymen of the branches of the Consolidated railway of the states that the system includes to settle the trouble in Providence and if necessary to bring pressure to bear on the off, cials of the road All of the members i from the various cities of New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut and those from Providence met, a total of 25 delegates, each representing a different system of the lines. 'The national officers are going to visit the different cities to call meet ings in the various locals to talk on the question. Many of the systems treat their men fairly enough, but the action of the Providence system in d!scharging men simply because they were members of the union taken by the head of the system there, A. D. Porter, was not fair. If discrimina- tions are to be made against the un- ion, there will be action taken" As can be easily seen, this implies that the union will send men to de- mand redress of grievances and will strike if it is not adjusted to their | satisfaction.
 In an interview with the president of the local union, Thomas Deskin, he made decided statements that there was no chance of strike, that the Providence men would simply have to look out for their own inter ests, but that the union would advise them and had. He said that the Prov idence men had simply been taken into the council to make a complete gathering of the employees of the Con- solidated railroads under one organi- zation for their own strengthening and benefit and that this was not in discord with the approval of the au- 1 thorities at the head O fthe road. They were willing that the men should be organized for their own perfection as they would then have one system of action.
 According to one man who is in I close touch with the situation. the prospect sof strike that will affect the men of Connecticut, Massaehus- etts and Rhode Island. who are em- ployes of the Consolidated is immi- nent. They will walk out if a secret vote that has been ordered is to that effect. This vote. he says, is to be mailed to the heads of the unions and the result will mean the pleasure of the men.
 
 trolley men and the employees of the steam service on the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad was af- fected, move that will make the ! strength of the organization over 10000 strong.
 At the meeting. Charles Minnix of this city presided. He was formerly the local president and IS a conductor on the road. Frank Hanna of Provi- dence spoke for the grievances that the men there have against the road.
 In accord with the plans of Rezin Orr, national secretary of the union, the delegate to the meeting of the trolleymen and the steam employes was appointed.
 The plans now are nearing com pletion for a gigantic combination of all of the employees of the New York. New Haven and Hartford railroad of every class and branch brought into reality so as as to be able to cope with the officials in fight for great | CT privileges. This will make one of the most huge combinations in the country.
 In any event, there is a strong likelihood of action as the men are highly incensed over the attitude of the officials in refusing 10 rein5tate the men they discharged in Provi- dence. It is understood that a strike will be avoided on account of the hard times and the financial condi- tions, but that 1t is due if there is no result obtained in future efforts to clear the matters in dispute to the satisfaction of the men. The re- suit of the mail votes will tell what