Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-05
Pennsylvania Railroad Man.
ager Tells of System of
Watching Men.
URGES NECESSITY
TO ASSURE SERVICE
Method Adopted For Purpose OF sseur-
ing Efficieney-industrial Rs'ations
Commission Probes Working Meth.
DDS Of Big Railroad System-Tsle-
sraphsrs Demand Right to Strike
Company Refuses Recognition.

Washington, May 5.-Labor condl-
tions on the Pennsylvania railroad were
inquired into from the standpoint OF
the railroad company at the continual
ton today at the hearings before the
federal Industrial relations commission.
The commission had already heard
President Perham. of the Order OF
Railroad Telegraphers, regarding COM
plants by that organization against the
Pennsylvania. The complaints charged
that the railroad company refused to
recognize the telegraphers' union.
made every effort to break up the
existing unions and the organization of
others.
The Pennsylvania officials were heard
on these complaints today, w. w. At
terbury, vice president. being the prin-
cipal.witness. 1t was expected that the
inquiry into Pennsylvania conditions
would continue for the remainder of
the week.
Outlines Labor Policy.
w. w. Atterbury presented long
statement of the companys labor policy
and answers to Perham's charges of
determinations against organized labor
and intimidation of men.
"The Pennsylvania company is and
always has been unalterably opposed to
the closed shop and sympathetic strike
policy" the statement declared. This
principle is immicible to the best inter-
ests of the. public. the company and its
employees"
Answering the charge that the Penn
sylvania maintains the "best spy sys-
tenn in the world to harrass unions. 1t
declared that the force Of confidential
investigators was "in no way connected
with the railroads police department
and was employed, to. ascertain and re-
port to the officials the conduct and
sentiment Of employees"
-stsy Admits Spy System.
It was contended that 1t was neces-
sary to employ trained men to conduct
Investigations. as the company had the
responsibility of maintaining adequate
train service, and was subject to fines
by the government for delay of mails.
AS to the activity of confidential en-
ployes, the statement declared:
Confidential Investigators are en-
l3ployed to Identify themselves as en-
ployes in various departments to secure
Information as to any efforts of labor
organizers against employees, which
tends to destroy the harmony and
friendly feeling for years existing be-
tween the road and it's employees"
TeIegraphers Work Eight Hours. (,
Perham, as the first witness today.
was questioned by r. H. Ashton, vice
president of the Chicago & North
ocko 1xr.o1- fa1o avN1N nrc
| working conditions. Ashton brought
of the main line, where traffic is dense
worked eight hours a day.
isn't that less than other trans
portation employees work?" he asked.
| Yes" Mr. Perham replied "but the
working time for such men should be
| only six hours day"
"And eventually you hope to reduce
! them to FIVE or four hours
1--WE shall continue our efforts until
conditions are obtained which enable
remain at work"
thirds vote of committee Of the
| telegraphers' union. with the presi.
| dents approval, to order strike.
1 Every llIIle ldpoI ISduSL pulS uis
! O. X. on strike" he said, "he puts
himself in jeopardy. If he makes mis-.
takes, he will be the one to be sacri.
| feed. It is difficult to have industrial
peace with the Pennsylvania railroad
ganizations.''
Prize Right 70 Strike.
! Mediation, Perham thought, was tn,
most satisfactory means Of settling
labor disputes and the public wa.
coming to hold such view. He alb
solutely opposed compulsory arbitra.
ton, however, and did not favor the
Canadian disputes" act.
"The thing we prize most highly" hi
said. as the right to strike, even Tho
we may not exercise ii.
| In response to questions by Com.
missioner O'Connell, relating to condi-
tions at Altoona, Pa, where the Penn.
sylvania had large shop. Mr.. Perhan
declared that the railroad dominated
the city and that employees who In.
CURED displeasure Of officials could no.
find work there.
Railroad Rules City.
Must you bow to the Pennsylvania
| II you want to stay in Altoona"
Eyes, 1t il case Of my company ii!
Of thee. I sing.
Perham added that the compan!
| dominated the courts and the news
papers OF Altoona and that public as.
! semblage and public speeches hav,
many times been prevented by tn,
company"
In reply to questions by Commits
sioner weinstock, Perham said h
thought a strike of all railroa,
telegraphers, which practically woul,
paraiyxe the railroad traffic of the ma
/ ton. never could happen.
Wilson. Withholds lsttsrs.
Washington, May 5-President VIII