Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-06
FOR CLOSER RELATIONS
WITH ROADS EMPLOYEES
Pennsylvania Railroad Vice-President
Says Company Is Not Opposed
to Organization.
HE is CHAMPION OF MEDIATION
Insists OH Principle Of open Shop
and Objects to Unions With Af1lia.
tons Which Might Bring on
Sympathetic Strikes.

WASHINGTON. May 5.-The pennsyI-
rania Railroad Company. answering
charges OF unfairncss to organized
labor before the Federal Industrial Re-
lations Commission to-day. declared
through its vice-president, w. w. At
terbury. that 1T did not oppose organiza-
ton of It's employees. but did insist on
the open shop" principle. and opposed
unions with affiliations which might
bring on sympathetic strikes.
We would welcome closer relations
with our employees" said Mr.. After
bury. III 1t could be brought about
under proper auspices. We would more
than welcome AN organization of all
PENNSYLVANIA Railroad employees among
themselves without entangling outside
alliances"
The objection OF the i'cnnsylvania to
the order of Railroad photographers,
which complained to the commission
against tho company. tho witness said,
was that it would mako the men re-
sponsible to the president Of the union,
90" "oE ~ the proper railroad O1l-
Gals.
Hr. Atterbury championcd mediation
as the best means Of settling labor dis.
putcs.
The Pennsylvania vice president sub
m!tted lengthy correspondence with the
United States Board of Mediation in re :
ply to the charge that the company had
refused 10 mediate difficulties with the
nF Rat
said he did not believe the committee
acting for the telegraphers represent
ed the best element" among the Penn
sylvania's employees, or that the Erd-
man act could have any application to
the situation existing at this time.
Regarding big strikes, Mr.. Atterbury
asserted he would be very much sur
prised ever again to see a big rail-
road strike in this country
w. H. Pierce. an organizer of the
brotherhood of Federated Railroad EN-
ployees. the next witness, assorted that
conditions among the PENNSYLVANIA
shopmen never would be what they
should be until the company extended
TO them tho right of organization 3 is
extended TO employees Of the Transport
tation service.
Before Mr.. Atterbury submitted the
attitude of the Pennsylvania Company,
II. b. Perham. president of the Order
of Railroad Photographers. who testified
yesterday, was questioned again by the
commission az to complaints against
the company.
ADMITS COMPANY OPERATES
SECRET SERVICE SYSTEM
Mr.. Atterbury admitted that the rail-
road company operates a secret service
system. az charged by Mr.. Perham
The unions have emissaries in our
ranks. and we have emissaries in
theirs" he said. He denied knowledge
Of the storage of arms and ammunition
for use in labor emergencies
We are prepared for anything we
Lave to face said Mr.. Attcrbury. IF
arms and ammunition are necessary. l
think the company would be justified
in keeping them"
Chairman Walsh asked him il he
didn't think the control of armed forces
should remain with the State, and Mr..
Atterbury replied:
Theoretically, yes. but practically
doubt IL you ever can arrive at that
solution"
What is your opinion of the effect
of labor organization on output?"
1T is very beneficial" said Mr.. At
terbury.
Mr.. Atterbury said there arc two
kinds OF Industrial unrest-commerc
and sociological.
MY opinion is that certain amount
OF unrest is good thing" he said.
NO progress is to be made unless there
is unrest.
The responsibility for commercial
unrest is largely on commercial condi-
tons; the irreguiarity of employment
is the most serious thing we have to
A ic oil
pier when he has regular employment
and regular hours. II there was any
proper way of profit sha ring or stock
holding by employees. l would be very
keen for it,"
Mr.. Atterbury presented statement
on the policies of the Pennsylvania
Railroad toward its employees 1.-The
management believes the company's
greatest asset is the loyalty and eff
cheney of it's men," said the statement.
Its labor policies may be generally
described. therefore, ms an effort to pro-
tect that asset.
The company believes that railroad
employees should be paid liberal wages,
and 1t believes there should be very
feasible safeguard TO provide for the
patrons.
The company frankly recognizes the
propriety of the men organizing for the
purpose of lettering their condition,
SUBJECT only 10 SuCn restriction as may
protect the elemental essential Of safe
and continuous operation"
Mr. Perham, however, charged the
Pennsylvania system with exercising
complete domination over labor and
business conditions in some places no
tably Altoona, Pa. ITS clear case OF
My company. of thee | sing" said Mr..
Perham. IF you wish to live In Al
toona, you must live as the Pennsyl-
vania wishes you to live"