Rock Island Argus., 1914-09-17
ARE SATISFIED
WITH CONTRACT
Agreement With Rock Island
Lines Commended by
Boilermakers.
FINE TRIP Is REPORTED
Delegates Want Same Terms as Pre-
vail Here to Be Adopted in
the Country.

At today's meeting of the boiler
makers and helpers of the Rock Island
lines, now in convention at the Moline
Industrial home, provision for the next
contract with the railroads was the
principal topic under discussion. The
employees of the Rock Island lines are
well satisfied with their treatment
from railway officials, and the same Is
true of other roads. No drastic de-
mands are to be made.
at is impossible to predict what
will be worked out of the numerous
suggestions that will be advanced"
said one of the society officials today.
There are more than 80 delegates
here in addition to the officers. These
delegates represent different shop
lines all along the Rock Island road
system, and ideas will be advanced by
almost every delegate. Some of them
will be worked into form for the in
sertion in the contract but others will
have to go unheeded.'
Want Same Contract.
1t is the desire of the boilermakers
and helpers to have all roads adopt
the same contract if possible and to
eliminate the Individual system now in
vogue. The present Rock Island con-
tract is 80 day contract, subject to
revocation on 80 days notice. The
contract continues until such notice is
given. The time was made short for
various reasons.
Under the American Federation of
Labor there has been organized a de-
partment of railroads of the United
States and Canada. 1t represents all
crafts, numbering several hundred
thousand men. George w. Pring of
Valley Junction, Iowa, president of the
district of the boilermakers now in
in Moline, is vice president
of the department of railroads, and
has been one of the leaders in the or
ganiGation of the new method of deal
ing with the companies. For the pur-
pose of convenience the territory has
been divided into general districts, and /
the lines west of the Mississippi river |
are classed in the first district. Under |
the new system the department of !
railroads will ask for a meeting with |
of all the roads in this dis |
trict, to consider schedules for all of |
the roads.
This is similar to the method of the !
engineers and firemen in dealing with |
the companies. but it is new for the |
shop crafts. When the road managers |
meet the representatives of the depart |
ment, men from each craft will be |
chosen to deal with the companies rel |
ative to the contracts. The results will |
be a uniform contract throughout the |
big district. In the southeastern dis
.rict, the first in which a contract has |
been closed since the adoption of the |
new plan II roads entered into
the negotiations. The first district is |
so large, and involves so many roads,
that it will be a more difficult task to
organize the plan, but Mr.. Pring and !
others who have studied the matter
ire enthusiastic, and believe the meth
ID will meet with the favor of the
-oads as well as with the workmen.
lext year before the department will
De ready to deal with the companies
'elative to the new schedules.
Big Banquet at Rock Island.
The big feature of yesterday after
loon's convention was the auto trip
made in 20 cars through Silvis, East
Moline, Moline, Rock Island and Dav-
IMPORT. The party left the Moline Com
nercial club rooms at about O'Clock.
local union, No. 377, acted as host
The feature of today's convention
will be the big banquet in the Rock
sland Turner hall tonight There
will be speeches, general entertain
nent and an informal program.
4
1ENQEE IHMEC nlEC