Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-12-02
Rail Employees Want Meth
cd Now Used by West
ern Lines Eliminated.
FORBIDDEN IN KANSAS
Chief Stone Declares He Will
Show Every Demand Made
by Workers Reasonable.

Chicago, Ill, Dec. I'm the wage ar
bitration conference affecting engine
men and firemen on SO western roads
1t was brought out today that the num-
Der Of men involved is $4,000 instead
of $4,000 as has been hitherto taken
as the number. Chief Stone of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers,
discussing the surprise test" which
the men want eliminated, said Kansas
had law against it.
A spokesman for $4,000 engineers
and firemen asserted their belief yes
terday that safety-first campaigns had
been carried too far when the lives
of firemen and engineers were i'm
periled by surprise" tests.
They denounced the tests in testi-
mony given before the board of arbi-
tration now conducting a hearing at
the federal building in hope Of settling
the controversy between SO western
railroads and their employees.
Albert Phillips, vice president of
the Brotherhood of Firemen and En-
ginemen, asked the board to abolish
all tests the men call dangerous.
There are instances" said Mr..
are placed on siding which connects
with the main line, the rear car show
ing red lights, or the danger signal,
for no other purpose than to give the
crew of the approaching locomotive a
surprise test
THE crew is first shown a white
light, which tells them the tracks are
clear, and then directly in front is
seen this freight train with the danger
signals flashing.
Tests Held Unnecessary.
1--WE hold that no such tests are nee
essary. We believe that safety first
should apply. Such test, however,
coming with startling unexpectedness,
may possibly cause both engineer and
fireman to jump from the cab"
Vice President Park of the Illinois
Central suggested to the board that
tests are generally made to show that
the engine crew is ready for any
emergency, no matter how serious.
Mr.. Phillips replied that the engine
men objected only to the "heart-break-
ing variety. He said further evil
dence along this line would be pre-
sented.
Walter D. Moore, a clerk in the
grand lodge Office of the f1remen's or
der. explained the sixteen articles in
which requests are made for changes
or uniformity in firemen's wage sched-
ules.
Among other points he asserted that
of the 90 roads only So provide time
for meal hours, generally after six
hours work.
Mr.. Moore added that no roads have
met with the suggestion of the fire !
men that there be two firemen for the |
heavier mountain engines in freight
service.
Warren s. Stone, grand chief of the
of Locomotive Engineers, |
said he would act as counsel for his
'I believe our cause Is so just that
will be able to meet successfully any
egal points that may be raised by the
,ther SIDE" said Mr.. Stone.
Mine Strike Inquiry Opened.
Denver, Col, Dec. 2.-Investigation
If the Colorado mine strike troubles
vas begun by the federal commission
IN industrial relations today. Gov
,rnor Ammons and Governor-elect
George Carlson were among those
eady to testify. The commission will
oon begin investigation of the Rookie
eIler Foundation. The hearing will
e held in Washington.