The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-02-15
IS ORGANIZING
 RAILROAD MEN Springfield Man Talks of Rail-
 road as 8 Factor. ASSOCIATIONS OBJECT
ASSOCIATIONS OBJECT
Is for Purpose of Educating People Re- sarding Conditions Existing In Present Day Railroad Problem.
 Declaration of Principles.

M. J. Murphy of Springfield Mo, is in the city and is meeting with great suc- | cess in his work of organizing the railroad employees of the country into an organiza- ton known as ''The American Railroad Employees and Investors association In speaking of the purpose of this or ganization yesterday, MT. Murphy said: Few average citizens of the United States realize the relation Of the railroads of the country to every other form of industry The farmer depends on them to market the larger part of his produce, the merchants depend on them to get their merchandise to them in the city, they use 52 per cent, of the iron and steel that is mined in the entire country and 43 per cent of the lumber and timber that is used in the whole nation. The factory must use the railroad to get market for it's product and the city is entirely de- pendent on them for their daily food. They use millions of tons of coal and employ thousands of men.
 Acknowledging these facts as every man must, it can readily be seen that hard ! times for the railroads means a corre- spending depression in hundreds of other industries, and brings hard times to the door of millions of people that probably never saw a railroad.
 Through the hands of a band of poli- ticians and demagogues the railroads have been beat down until they are on the verge of bankruptcy. Legislation has | been enacted that has repeatedly reduced | tia hn
 roads must use every energy to make
 both ends meet. Employes are being dis charged by the hundreds, improvements of many kinds have been abandoned and the railroad has found itself badly crip- pied by unfair legislation
 'The sole object of the association will be 10 get fair legislation for the rail- roads by publishing literature and by other means of educating the public as to the actual conditions existing in the present day railroad problem"
 MT. Murphy has made several speeches and is getting many members to join the organization in this city He is an elo- quent talker. He said that 55 of the 5S great trunk lines of the United States had already been organized. He was working yesterday at the Frisco of fees.
 The declaration or pflnclpleS or the aS- sociation is as follows:
 Its purpose shall be. by all lawful methods, to cultivate and maintain be- tween it's members such a spirit of nut ual interest and such concern on the part of all of them for the welfare and pros- perity of American railroads as will best. promote their successful and profitable operation, for the benefit alike of their employees investors and the public.
 "To encourage. by every proper method, cordial and friendly feeling on the part of the public toward American railroads and their business.
 "To publicly provide means and meth- ods for obtaining consideration and hear ing from all legislative bodies and com- missions empowered to enact laws. rules and regulations affecting the conduct and operation of railroads.
 'ro do whatever lawful things may be necessary in order to secure fair return alike to capital and to labor invested in American railroads. with due regard at all times to efficient service, fair treatment and safety to the public.
 This association shall at no time be used for partisan political purposes, nor shall 1t take any part in controversies, if any, which may arise between railroad employees and railroad officials.
 'Its membership shall consist of rail- road employees, railroad investors or their representatives"