The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-08-10

but I have read history, and my idea
of the feudal system of the Middle
Ages Is very different from Mr.. Rob-
bins. We did have the feudal sys-
tenn in the early days Of railroading
in America, but it was the official
who was the lord. After years of
struggle the engineers have succeeded
in organizing. They have blazed the
path and fought some of the hardest
battles known to organized labor. We
are wholesomely respected now and
the door of every operating official
is open to me, because / have. $4,000
men at my back: II hadn't could:
not get by the #colored fiunky at the
door.
"They say that these men follow
me blindly." Stone turned to the en-
gineers on his side Of the room. ~ gu
can hardly tell the line Of demarka-
tion between the engineer and the
high-browed official. AS for tying up
the wheels of this country, can't
declare a strike: can only veto one.
We do not advocate a closed shop,
and any one can work with us. We
only ask that merit being equal the
senior man shall have the preference.
The lizard Luck Story.
THE hard luck story that the off,
Gals have been telling here is not a.
new one. T have heard it for ten
years, and it's threadbare. They cry
poverty from the housetops. What
could more effectively stop the people
from investing in the railroads than
to have their officials tell here that
they are on, the verge of breaking:
that soon they can no longer pay divi-
dends? It will hurt the credit of
the railroads more than all the>>de-
mands that labor can make.
Some mention was made of the
relief fund associations. I am fight
ing them ALL The Pennsylvania's is
the best of them, but they're all bad.
They are organized to prevent per-
sona1 litigation and they bring the
worst curse Of our modern railroads,
the age limit, which keeps man over
As from getting another job. They
also failed to tell you that the rail-
roads own most of the companies
from which they buy their supplies.
They buy their oil wholesale and sell
They say that they don't want an
engineer to operate trolley car on
steam tracks. We don't want an in
experienced man out there between
fast passenger trains. A. man has only
one life to sell. and you only have t.
hit one car and it's all over.
Long Hours of Labor.
Even If only little over I per cent
of the crews are kept on duty more
than 15 hours, you only need one
tired man out there in front to pro-
duce a wreck like they had on the
Lackawanna a few days ago.
+ Before the engineers were organ
lied I have known men to have the
best runs in the country at q high
rate because they gave rakeoff to
some official. One man had one Of
the best limited runs in the west be-
cause he kept the superintendent sup
piled with spring chickens. That's
why we fought for seniority. ia
They say that we are asking for
an average Of 1926 q month. Is that
too much for q man who has only
IL years to serve? Can he save
a competence to take care of his wife
and children in that time?
Il want to say that whatever your
award may be. we will accept 1t and
carry it out in good faith :
Chairman Oscar s. Stratus an
nounced that the award which the,
commission made would be consid-
cred as having gone into: effect on
May May !. 1912, with the exception Of
such clauses as the commission might
care to exclude. The engineers ana
the railroads promised to have their
briefs ready within two weeks ana TO
send any additi onal Inf orma lion which
3 have omiaed e. thu sacfstary
Of hs board