Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-05-14
Report DIP. J. CoyIe,
Grand President.

The assembling Of this convention
marks the closing Of the old and the
opening OF a new year ia our organiZa-
ton life. The u months that haVe Just
passed have been auspieeas for us and
will go down in our annals us the good
year l9i2-I3 The period has been one of
distinctive achievement and its net re-
suits are not only permanently mad sub
StantIallN beneficial. but Indicative Of
the possibilities of our future.
The financial condition of the Brother
hood is eminently satisfactory rs will be
readily seen by an examination or the
printed report of the secretary treasurer
which is already in your HANDS.
There has been a material increase in
membership through the formation of
new divisions and by individual acees-
sions. The conservative policy adopted
some Years ago has been strictly fol
lowed. hence the increase represents q
healthy growth. The increase through
individual accession was on the Boston
y Maine and Maine Central railroads
through the establishment of such. on
the New York, New Haven x Hartford
and ON the Boston K Albany railroads.
The men In the employ of the Boston
Terminal Co have affiliated with the
organization and are now members of
Boston Division No l.
In the matter of Increased compeuSa-
tion-a matter which so vitally affects
us and oHf familieS-the results of our
labors have been substantial and graft
tying. On the Boston q Maine railroad
the last increase represents an addition
of Sl01Oe0 YEARLY to the payroll of sta
tion employees. In other words it means
AN increase of Is cents per day for men
in the freight and baggage departments,
and like sum for crossing tenders on
main lines and certain important
branches. and ten cents to eFossfn2 tend
which became effective Feb. II. 1919. An
increase of seven per cent. was negotiat-
ed for the round house employees watch
became effective Mar i and which gave
added compensation To over 91 men. The
total increase 10 that group of employees
compares favorablY with the increase 10
other groups. In the freight department.
we have secured the reduction of the
probationary period from six to three
receives the maximum rate of pay Mt the
end Of three months, instead of six
months as was formerly the practice
On the Maine Central railroad a new
agreement of working conditions asSuH-
ing material Improvement. has been Sc
cured. An increase in compensation of
round-house and 1uel- department en-
ploNees, and like sum for crossing
tenders between Portland and Vance
boro on both lower and back roads has
been obtained Crossing tenders ON other
branches were increased ten cents per
day at the same time.
The men employed by the Boston Ter
mlnal Co. through the efforts or this
Brotherhood, secured an increase of 10
and - cents per day according to the
length of the individuals service
cldent to the conduct of the business of
the Brotherhood has been performed AMI
the average number of individual cases
These increases bring home the fact
that the earning capacity of the com
panies paying us must not become inn
paired and that We cannot, and in Jus
tee should not, stand idly by While
wrongful attacks are being made against
our source of income and means of live
l1hood. Every employee should take an
interest hat +lta r1i1
roads are allowed to increase their rates
50 mat their revenues will not only give
mem falr return On their investments
but Will enable them to pay good wages
Tor good services rendered and keep their
road-eed and equipment up To the very
highest standard possible. thereby guar
anteeinE and protecting not only the
lives of the employees but the travelling
public as we'll
| am for the support of the railroads
wherever and whenever our interests are
identical. ON this question of reguIa-
ton of rates, and on the matter of anti
railroad legislation our interests are
stand firmly by the companies in their
fight for square deal.
You Will have presented to you resolu-
tons which Were adopted but short
time ago by Boston Division l. and as
they cover the ground thoroughly and
express the true attitude of organiza-
on this issue | recommend their adop-
ton by this body. In urging their adop-
ton | do not intend to 90 into the entire
question of rates. but in passing will SaV
that everything the companies must buy
mas gone mp i'll price and the only thing
they have to Observation-Disclosures
gone down. Every year they are re-
CURED TO make Il greater outlay Tor per
fected service, safety appliances, wage
and supplies. The rates OF. transporta-
ton now permitted are too low to enable
Ihe companies to make fair profit. pay
lalr wages or TO continue to provide high
class service to the public. If the com
panies are not permitted to earn they
certainly cannot pay We can be as
Sured OF fair wages only by supporting
them i'll their demand Tor authority to
make such reasonable increases as ex-
perienee has shown to be necessary.
IN TINS determination to stand by the
companies there is no intimatOn of
weakness or wavering in our adherence
to the principles of unionism. ON the
contrary ii is entirely in accord with
them, and what those principles demand
We will still continue to insist upon
higher wages and more favorable work
inG conditions and we will do our share
III helping the companies to secure more
earning power to meet these demands
AS We demand Justice for ourselves so
should we be willing to labor that It may
be done to our employers.
While this record of things done is be-
tore us ! desire to call your attention to
the fact that ours is the only organiza-
ton of its kind in the country that has
a system agreement, The others have
merely terminal agreements. which fall
far short of the system agreement.
The thorough organization of the eligi-
BILE men on the New York. New Haven
~ Hartford, the Boston &Alhany and the
New York Central railroads is desirable
and is strongly recommended. ! urge
that ii be undertaken as soon rs possible
and pushed with vigor to completion. In
making this recommendation | do not
wish ii TO be inferred that n departure
from our traditional policy is contemplat-
ed for it is not
Our relations with the officials of the
companies with which we have done
business had been cordial, marked with
the same cordiaiity and mutual respect
that has been common TO past years In
the discussion of the many matters