The sun., 1915-02-18
LOBBY CHARGE STIRS
RAILROAD HEADS
Resent Trainmen's Criticism
Of Advertising for Full
Crew Laws Repeal.

PHrLADEtrHiA. Feb. 17.--The follow
ing statement was given out to-day by
committee of railroad presidents. in
cludng Daniel Willard of the Baltimore
and Ohio and Samuel Rea of the Penn
sylvania:
Information received to-day from
Harrisburg indicates that certain un-
derhand and wrong methods are being
pursued to prevent repeal Of the full
sponsble. They will stoop TO no such
measures Their case has been taken
directly to the court OF public opinion
and all the facts. all the exhibits, ali
the arguments will be In the open.
The railroads challenge proof OF any
lobby Of the kind that the public un-
derstsnds by that word There Is none.
nor will there be any. With that state
ment we aisc assert the inalenable
right of any and every citizen 10 talk
with and write 10 his elected repre~en-
.atives and 30 impress upon them in
cry honest way his views, whatever
they are. T. Is the privilege of every
railroad erlployee to do this. The rail-
roads nave no objection.
We are advised that trainmen have
gone 10 legislators and stated that they
were sent by railroads under conpul-
sion TO urge repeal OF the full crew
fore the Legislature. ~ any railroad
officer has attempted to coerce any
man under him he has acted In direct
conflic, with the publicly announced
policy of the managcments OF twenty
ore railroads now associated IN conf
mon effort
There is no thought to coerce train
men or other railroad employees into
support OF the movement for repeal o'
tho full crew laws We seize this OPP
portunity to ask for proof that coercive
or Improper methods have been taken
hv any railroad officer. Let us have II.
and the man or men guilty, no matter
what their positions In the service, Will
he disciplined
The railroads are taxing the MI
crew law directly to the people The
Brotherhood ~ Railroad Trainner
make specific protest against such APP
peal 10 the court OF public opinion
Trey did this in the statement issued
February IL
Charging the railroads with havinr
undertaken to lobby through repeal o'
the full crew law the trainmen's or
ganizatior cv IDENTIFY desires to confn'
the Issue within the walls Of tho state
Capitol Speaking Of the railroad an
rouncament thei say:
briefly stated. their announcement
declares they intend 10 present the
question of tho repeal of the t,Il crcv
laws TO the public but why is left tc
conjecture The power To- repeal th'
laws IA vested in the legislature The
Senator'S AID Representatives In th'
General Assembly are c''psen by th'
people u perform such service and IN
Constitution OF the Commonwealth lie
clare, a. =, the legislative power OF thi'
Commonwealth shall he vested in
General Assembly. which shall corsls
OF = senate and House cf Representa-
tves"
All or that Ia true. What the rail
roads seek IS 20 let the people know III
effect Of the full crew laws Then. a
citizens. the people can inform thei
elected representatives what they wan
done. The trainmen's organization evi
IDENTIFY fears the consensus Of informe
public ordnion. The statement said
For these reasons Il Is not fai
either TO the General Assembly or IN
railroad trairnen that this immens
lobby !s addressing itself 10 the publs
rather thar to the Lasislature"
As TO that, tne railroads are per
fe,tly willing to let the pc pie men an
women of the state. determine.
SAMUEL REA,
President Pennsylvania Ra,lruad.
THEODORE VOORHEES,.
President Philadelphia and Readin
Railway.
DANIEL WILLARD.
President Baltimore and Ohio Rat
Committee for thirteen railroads ope-
ating in Pennsylvania and Ne
Jersey.