The Washington herald., 1910-09-26
WILL Aid RAILROADS
Continued from Page One.


the trainmen: p. II. Morrissey. president
OF the American Railroad Investors and
Employees Association; G. II. Sines, vice
president of the trainmen. and other ex-
eeutiyes.
Urge Rate Increase.
The delegates came with authority
from $4,000 railroad workmen on sixty
three railroads east OF the Mississippi
River, and they represented 100000 vot-
ers dependent for a livelihood on the
railroad companies. After four hours of
conference they addressed a memoria. .
President TAFT. the Interstate Commerce
Commission. and ali national and State
lawmaking bodies. The memorial con-
tains resolutions which support the pro-
posal Of the railroad companies that
they be permitted 10 make a reasonable
increase in rates.
The brotherhoods did not take action
suddenly or unanimously The proposal
10 stand by the companies had been
talked over for several months IN all the
lodges, II had been thrashed out
thoroughly. and the delegates came to the
council with one idea In mind. that the
employees were in the same boat with the
companies. They were in absolute har-
mony on all of the principal points
brought up at the meeting These were
that:
Everything the railroads must buy has
gone up in price, and the only thing
they sell-transportation-h gone down.
The companies are REQUIRED to make &
greater outlay every year for perfected
service, safety appliances. wages, and
supplies.
The rates now permitted are too low
10 enable the companies 10 make a fair
profit pay fair wages, or 10 continue 70
provide high-class service 10 the public
Want Wages Raised.
The employees can obtain fair wages
only by supporting the companies In an
appeal 10 the government 10 authorize
reasonable rate increases which ex-
perience has shown 10 be necessary.
The companies need the backing OF
their employees. especially in view Of the
NHAtn "a a. AHALaAlBAi VI AllA-4Al- -- d.
sociations. jobbers. middlemen, and poll
ticians for stiH lower rates.
There is no confession Of weakness on
the part OF the urions in such support
Of the companies. They will continue 10
Insist upon higher wages. more favorable
working conditions, shorter hours. and
adequate compensation FOR workmen in
a- Ia, Il . Il
companies must have more earning power
to meet these demands.
There will be no political agitati0ns.
but candidates for Office will be requested
10 answer questions concerning their at
titude toward employers and employees
Many Roads Represented.
The delegates met at 10 a. N. Special
trains from New England, the West, and
the South had brought them here early
in the morning From Boston. the as
semoling point Of the New Englanders.
three trains carried loo The principal
railroads represented were the Pennsyl-
vania Lines East. New York Central,
Erie, Long Island. Central Railroad OF
New Jersey, New York. New Haven and
Hartford. Lackawanna. Boston and
Maine Boston and Albany, New York.
Ontario ana Western, Delaware and Hud-
son. Central New England. and the Cen
tral Vermont But there were delegations
from sixty-three lines all told. every
Eastern system having employees In the
conference.
The meeting was noteworthy FOR the
presence OF almost all OF the brotherhood
leaders. Besides the chiefs named al
ready, there were NJ. J. Flannery. A. NJ.
Corrol Of the engineers; o. d. Hopkins.
Of the firemen and engineers: G. NJ. IIol-
liday, OF the Ta!nmen; N. c. Slattery.
Of the conductors; =. B. Robertson. Of
the fremen and engineers; II. A. Enochs.
OF the trainmen. c. X Mitchell. OF the
engineers; s. c. Stambaugh, Of the con-
ductors; f. Z. Norris. Of the fremen
and engineers. John l. Rowe. OF the
trainmen; Fred s. Evans. Of the engin-
GERS; John DOwney. OF the conductors.
F. F. Hurley, Of the engineers. and James
HurlbIt, OF the trainmen. There were
also a number Of editors of railroad
mems journals. among them being Ben
E. Chaplin. OF the Railroad Employe.
Mr.. Hurley was made chairman. and
in a short speech outlined 20 the dele
gates what the union meeting had been
called for He introduced Chief stone,
of the engineers, and the brotherhoods
made the hall ring with applause.
should Get Fair Play.
Mr.. Stone said that the time had come
A.
could 10 help the railroad companies get
fair play from the rate-making powers
He was glad that employees everywhere
in the country seemed to be as one in
holding that the interests OF employers
and employees were identical up to the
point OF assured earnings The railroads
say they cannot pay better wages II the
will not allow them 10 fix
profitable rates. Their contention was
worth serious investigation. It was no
case for theorists. but a matter for prac-
teal men who knew the facts.
"One thing is sure" said stone. "It
the railroads are to continue 10 exist,
some way must be- found 10 meet the
increasing demands made on
their gross earnings. Everything they
buy-fuel. material, supplies equipment,
labor and the thousand and one other
things that go to make up the eXpen-
necessary for the sue
cSssful operation Of a railroad has in
creased from 3 per cent 10 20 per cent
The only thing they have TO sell is
transportation, and It Is lower to-day
than ever before.
Manufacturers associations, jobbers,
and middlenen generally, are seeking In
every Wa possible to have legislation
enacted TO still further reduce rates al
ready too low. Never before has there
been such a demand on the railroads for