The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-11-23
RAILROAD DENIES PLAN TO REFUSE BAGGAGE CHECKS
 
Press Bureau Assures Farmer Commercial Mems Fears
 Are GroundIeSs.
TRAVELLING SALESMAN
 SUMMONED TO PROTEST
Gall For Meeting This Week Urges Members to Act to
 ForeStaII R. R. Move.

To make organized protest against the reported plan to suspend the bag gage service by the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad, all mem bers of Bridgeport local 236, United Commercial Travellers have been noti- fled to attend a meeting on Saturday night. The letter, a copy of which has been sent every member of the organization, states that the railroad is preparing to do away with all bag gage masters and baggage handlers on trains and tu W this business over to the Adams Express Cs.
 Every article formerly sent as pag-l gage according to our information, is toi be sent by express az the usual ex- press r0tes'' is one of the sentences in the letter. The call for the meeting urges every member to be present and join in the protest. It calls attention ito the fact that no protest has been made by commercial travellers aga1ost the increase from cents to 2 A per mile on the mileage books. This in crease went into effect on November l. The letter says commercial travel CTS are pfactically the only class of people using railroad mileage and that this increase is class discriTnina- tion which should meet with firm and indignant protest now
 The letter does not make known the source of information regarding the report ofIthe suspension Of the sbaggage system but the railroad of hcials declared today there was noth-s ing to the story. In answer to an in ulIiry from The Farmer regarding the rumor the press bureau of the road today game out this statement:
 ssgEhe story that the N. r.. N. H. 6 H R. R. is to suspend it's baggage ser vice and turn this business over to, the Adams Express Co. Is absolutely with out foundation in fact. Such change not only is not practical. but 1t has never been contemplated by the man agement of the road"
 On official of the Adams Express Co. who would not allow his name to De Used. said today that the proposed changeY would mean tae discharge or a large number of employees of tne1 railroad who are members of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainnen- He said that even if such change was practical he did not think the Broth erhood would allow 1t to take place without protest. He said he did not believe the officials of the road would attempt to carry into effect this plan without first consulting with officials Of the frainraen and that the laying off Sof a. large number of men in the baggage department would prec1pdtate te a general strike of the other employees heard nothing from his company re- garding such a change and did not believe it was being considered.
 Railroad men do not place much credence in the story, but the com mercia1 travellers all believe that the suspension of the baggage system is contemplated by the railroad. The letters calling for the meeting were sent by Charles J. Whitten, secretary of the Bridgeport local MT. Whitten is travelling salesman for Francis H. 3 Leggitt Of New York He is out of the city on a trip at present and will not return until tomorrow night.
 At the meeting to be held Saturday night the Commercial Travellers will appoint the committee to have charge l of their Christmas tree gathering. B. B. Plum1ey, who is the last member admitted to the local, will provide a ,. luncheon. A record of the scores of those who take part in the pin ochle games is to be kept for the sea son Nand a capital prize in addition to the season prize will be presented for the highest individual score