The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-06-20
ENGINEMEN TIRE
OF CONVENTION
Long Sessions Beginning to
Get on Nerves of the
Delegates.
CITIES WANT CONGRESS
Service Age Limit Necessary for
Membership Is Lowered to
Three Months.

In accordance with the progressive
policy ad the opening of the convention
of the Brotherhood OF Locomotive Fire
men and Enginemen now in session at
the Arcade. an amendment to the con-
stitution was adopted yesterday, reducing
the time a man must be in the service
-efore he is eligible to membership in
Ne organization. The time limit was
reduced from six to three months. A
number OF the delegates felt that the
long time limit worked a hardship upon
the men entering the service of the rail-
roads. It was argued that three months
was ample time for a man to make up
his mind whether or not he intended to
stick to railroading.
Discussion of adding certain diseases to
the list of disabilities in the insurance
department of the brotherhood resulted
in the addition of valvular heart trouble
as disease for which members OF the
brotherhood might base a disability
claim. Consideration of several other
diseases which force a man out of the
service will be taken up today. There
is strong sentiment, especially among
the older delegates, that such diseases
should be made the basis Of disability
claims 1t is expected that deafness will
be added to the list when it comes up
for consideration today.
Delegates Growing Weary.
The delegates are beginning to feel the
strain of the long business sessions and
are anxious to complete the work of the
revision of the constitution and bylaws
Numerous changes have been made to
the constitution which have greatly
broadened the scope of the brotherhood.
An officer of the brotherhood stated yes
terday that most of the stumbling
blocks to the rapid completion of the
work had been removed and that he ex-
pected quick work to be made of the
few minor changes which are to come
up for consideration.
Interest in the convention now centers
in the three-cornered fight being made
by Denver. Oakland, and st. Louis to
gain the next convention of the brother
hood. Supporters of each of these cities
are quietly mingling with the delegates
in the hotel Hobbies, pressing their
claims Sentiment seems to be in favor
of Denver. but Oakland supporters de-
clare that it is all over except the
shout" Cleveland, although apparently
in the rear at present, continues TO
press her claims, and it is thought that
in case Oakland takes the lead she will
through her strength to st. Louis in an
effort to keep the convention from the
far West
The election of officers, which will be
held next week, is failing to excite the |
interest that is being taken in the Sc
lection of the convention city. Every |
one is taking it for granted that all of |
the present officers will be reelected. Up |
to the present there has been no talk |
of opposition to any of the present Off |
GERS and the election will be a matter of |
formality, except in event it is decided |
to increase the number of vice presi-
dents. In case the number of vice presi- |
dents is increased there will be a lively |
fight TO land one of the extra places for !
the South and for the West. The rapid |
growth of the Southern railroads has |
caused the South to feel that it is en- |
titled to a larger representation on the |
board of directors.
Although defeated in their effort to (
bring the headquarters of the brother !
hood to Washington at the present, Ma
tional Capital boosters have not lost heart |
and declare that they are satisfied in |
having kept any other city from gaining |
the honor. They claim that the advan-
tages of Washington were put squarely !
to the convention. and that they will crys-
tallize before the next convention. They |
claim that the only thing that kept Wash |
ington from gaining the headquarters at |
the present time was that the brotherhood |
had not sufficient time to prepare for a |
change
Resolutions condemning the alleged |
practice of a number of the cafe proprie- |
tors and druggists of overcharging dele |
gates to the convention were passed yes
terday. 1t is claimed that a number of |
the cafes in the vicinity of the Arcade |
charge the delegates so cents for a meal |
they ordinarily serve for Is cents. It is
also alleged that a number of druggists
pick out the delegates by their badges
and charge them 10 cents for soda which
ril1, sells rnic