New Britain herald., 1914-04-17
MfLLfN MAY HEAD BIG RAILROAD BODY
Delegates Will Form Federal Council
 at Meeting in Boston.

Boston, April 17.-Charles $. Mel len, formerly president of the New York, New Haven and Hartford rail- road company, may become the ac- tive read of federated body su- preme among the various organiza- tions of the United States with which 100000 railroad employees are af- filiated. ~ . m g,
 It became known yesterday that MT. Mellen had been approached on the subject and that he was giving it favorable consideration. The new or ganization to be known as the Fed erated Council of Railroad Brother hoods, will be }, formed at a meeting of delegates in this city ton April 36. and the' former director of the New Haven railroad system will be noln- mated for the presidency.
 Promoted by Agents.
 The idea of the council has been promoted by the Order of Railroad Station Agents. which met here in January. and appointed a committee to invite the many independent su. cieties of railroad men to send dele gations to the forthcoming meeting. It is stated that favorable responses were received and 100 delegates have been elected.
 At present there is no central body in this country and the organization will be along the line of the English and German federations. Harry Phil lips, deputy lord mayor of West Ham, England, and associate secretary of the Federated Transportation Work CTS of England, will be present to aid in the organization. The council will represent all branches of the ser vice including conductors, engineers, brakemen, station agents, freight handlers, telegraph operators, signal men and track walkers.
 Result of Speech. .....
 The plan to place MT. Mellen at the head of the council was a direct outcome of a statement made by him in an address at a dinner rendered him by employees of the Boston and Maine railroad here on November 30 after he had resigned the presidency of the New Haven. He had talked in- timately to the men of the latent pow CT in labor organizations and said that labor had not received the re- ward 1t otherwise might because of jealousy among the different bodies and a lack of loyalty to the common cause.
 Exercise your power with pru- 1ence," he said. Be fair, be pru. 1ent, but be steadfast one to the other. You have the power and others must pay the price," With 1 some feeling, he concluded:
 II would like to lead you. I would ! ike to advise you. I want to help l 'ou. Possibly the time will come | when can do so, and when you all, you will not find me wanting"
 No Definite Information.
 New Haven, April 17.--As no defi- lite information has yet come to him. s. Mellen, former president of he New York. New Haven and Hart ord Railroad company, said today he culd make no statement in connec- ion with the report from Boston that le may be asked to become the active lead of a federated body which would ,c supreme among the various organi- ations of railroad employees in the 1 
 "I suppose" said Mir. Melen, that Ls I have many warm friends among he trailroad men iny ma Nae may have ,een fmentioned,, but I Shavez received los Aefinite gAiformation-Sorf which to make a4 statement, and have learned nore about the matter from reading l he morning papers than I ever knew before. feel very warmly towards he railroad men. and if they have Iuch confidence in me and loyalty as Q wish me to take the position, l mould consider it the highest of com ailments and would be inclined to ,a a ko avery effort to Hratify them.