The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-01-30
WANT FREEDOM
 FOR EMPLOYERS
Railroad Workers Adopt Reso- lutiOnS to be Sent to Gov
 ernor and Legislature
WOULD AVOID HAMPERING
Leaders Discuss Need of Workmen's Compensation Act and Bills
 Affecting Men.

Leaders Discuss Need of Workmen's
 Compensation Act and Bills
 Affecting Men.
 That there is much interest among the union employees of the New Ha- ven railroad system over the prospec- tive legislation affecting them at the present session Of the Legislature, was evidenced by the mass meeting of their representatives yesterday after noon from 2:s0 o'clock to 6.30 o'clock in New Haven. There was much de- bate. as a result of which the meet ing passed a resolution addressed to Governor Bald win. and to the mem bers of tho General Assembly. regard ing legislation which has to do with their general welfare. including the employers liability act. the workmen's compensation act. the pubMc utilities bill. the court of commerce bnl. and the measure introduced by Senator F,enn calling for larger crews on trains for their safe operation.
 This resolution requests tf.a persons to whom 1t Is addressed to consider all of these measures in a broad sense, mindful of the dangers of the railroad business and to give reasonable free dom" to employers to operate their roads on a basis that will not restrict them unjustly in conducting their business profitably.
 Favor Mellen's Bill.
 No newspaper men were in attend ance at the meeting. which was at tended by 800 railroad employees of all classes from all parts of the State. It is understood that the Mellen court of commerce bill was favored by some of the speakers. and the Busi- F3o opposed.
 General Chairman Jere Wall Of the Order of Railway Conductors of the New Haven system. presided at the meeting. which was addressed at length by Attorney E. c. Terry of Railroad Brotherhoods' legislative board. He was followed by Peter O'Hern of Stamford. the secretary of this board. Both of these men have been engaged in building up the pro- posed railroad legislation on behalf of General Assembly. Attorney Terry went into details regarding the needs of wOrkingmen's compensation act and approved the Mellen court of tbs sea nors n srs onern eras
 Patrick Curry of the Brotherhood of Railway Tratnmen of South Nor walk talked of the necessity of pro- tect1ng wages. E. J. Manion of the Brothsrhood of Railway Telegraph tors. c. D. Moore of Hartford, and Conductor A. Wynne of Hartford, talked along similar lines.
 General Chairman John L. Rowe. of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, who lives in Bridgeport, spoke at length on the necessity of a workingmen's compensation act.
 This resolution was unanimously adopted:
 New Haven, Conn.,, Jan. 29, 1911. To the Governor of the State of Con-
 necticut and the General Assembly
 convened:
 At a mass meeting of all classes of railway employees in the state of Con- necticut, held under the auspices of the Joint Legislative Board of the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
 Whereas. this body of railway em- ployes, citizens of the state of Con- necticut, assembled for the purpose of discussing legislative matters that af- feet their general welfare, have care fully considered such subjects now pending in the 1911 session, which af- feet our industrial welfare, to wit: Liability Act, Workman's Compensation Act Public Utilities Bill, Court of Commerce Bill. and the measure providing for a sufficient number of men to safely operate trains for the benefit of, the public and train employees. and
 Whereas, we recognize plainly the very nature of our industry carries with 1t certain relations to our states prosperity, yet we believe the time has arrived in the development of our civil and moral relations when a more unselfsh and unprejudiced consideration should be given Ameri- l can railways and their employees by the general public. therefore, be 1t /. Resolved, we respectfully petition 1 you to consider the aforesaid meas ures in a broad sense, duly mindful | of the dangers and responsibilities in rain, hail or shine, we are always expected by an impatient | public to render service to please; that reasonable freedom be always | accorded our employers to operate l their railways on a basis that will | not restrict them unjustly in con- ducting their business profltably, pro- gressively and considerate to the well fare of the railway employees at all | times.
 Respectfully submitted,
 Signed: M. J. McNamara, Brother | hood of Locomotive Engineers, New London; A. H. Frink, Brotherhood of | Bremen and Enginemen, New Lon don; Chas. S. Brigham. Order of | Conductors. Hartford; Peter | O'Hern, Brotherhood of Railway nion, Order of Railway Photographers, New Haven; Alex Wilson, Shopmen. New Haven; E. c. Bates, Brother hood of Railway Clerks, New Haven.