The Detroit times., 1910-05-14
ENGINEERS FAvOR
BOOST IN RATES
BY RAILWAYS
Brotherhood Declares Unanimously
For Increase in Revenues That Will
Enable Roads To Operate with
4, The Fullest Safety"
Five Trainloads Of Delegates Go To
Cleveland, Saturday, To Dedicate
Organizations 81, 100000 Building.

A resolution adopted by the Broth
erhood of Locomotive Engineers In
Friday mornings session puts that
organization squarely on record as in
favor OF such increase In railroad
rates as may be necessary TO provide
for the profitable running of the
roads in the safest manner. The
resolution states that the engineers
favor auy legitimate legislation tend
Ing TO increase the revenues OF the
railways that they may operate with
the fullest safety.
While this matter was discussed
for Is minutes, there was no opposi-
ton voiced. The vote for adoption
was unanimous.
In taking this stand, the engineers
are lining up with the railroads, their
employers. There has been cam
paign of the railroads for higher
rates Oh freight for some years. In
Michigan, this began with an address
by Vice-President w. Il. Brown. or
the New York Central. at dinner in
the Detroit club. This campaign Is
still on. AS the Brotherhood operates
on contracts with the railroads, 1t is
more closely in sympathy with the
interests OF It's employers than other
labor unions are
The greatest argument OF the rail.
roads has been that their revenues
were not such as TO permit them to
run probably In the face of increas-
ing costs TO them OF materials and
labor. There are but two ways for a
railroad TO increase its profits-by in.
creasing It's revenue and by decreas.
ing Its cost of operation. The en-
gineers do not want the latter course
adopted.
I'VE feel that the operation OF the
railroads should be made as safe as
possible" said an officer OF the Broth
erhood after the session. The public
Is entitled TO safety first. and. next,
TO frequency OF service and rapid
travel II the railroads economic by
cutting down their operation cost,
they affect all these things. Cutting
down of expenses means less safety,
less speed and less frequency OF ser
vice"
At the close of Friday afternoons
business session, the engineers adj
journed until Monday. They go 20
Cleveland, Saturday morning on FIVE
special trains furnished them free by
the Michigan Central and Lake Shore
railroads. The occasion is the dedica-
ton OF the Brotherhood building
there.
This structure has been erected
from thesfunds OF the order II is IA
stories in height, OF granite and
white tile, and cost Sl.250.000. There
Is an auditorium seating 400 per-
sons and 400 Office rooms. While the
Brotherhood Offices and those of the
insurance society connected with the
order, will be located in this building,
the greater portion of the building
Will be rented and the revenues will
90 toward the insurance fund.
Il ID said by architects to be the
finest building of it's kind in the coun-
try, outside of New York city, and is
considered a good investment to put
behind the insurance society. The
engineers will meet for the dedicatory
exercises In their own auditorium.
Gov Harmon ef--Q hio,--and- Mayor
'Baehr. OF Cleveland, will take part in
the speech-making. Grand Chief En-
gineer Warren s. Stone will deliver
the principal address In behalf OF the
Brotherhood, reviewing the progress
OF that organization from its small
beginning In Detroit In 1853 to the
present tima. w. b.. Premier Of
Cleveland, win oct as master Of cere-
monies, while ]. c. Currie. OF Jersey
City, who bears a national reputation
az thu most polished gentleman in the
Broti erhood, will be his assistant.
The delegates will start on the return
from Cleveland, Sunday afternoon.
The insurance branch Of the Broth
erhood now has about $l16.000,000 Of
insurance outstanding. 1t furnishes
insurance at cost on the installment
plan, the rate being about SAT per
annum for $4,000 risk In addition
to payment for loss of life, the so
ciety pays full policy value for loss
OF hand, foot or eye, accidents which
disable an engineer entirely.
Engineers are now considered a
very good insurance risk. While they
run danger Of accident, this is more
than made up by the fact that they
are an extremely healthy body OF
men.