The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-04
Head of Telegraphers
Defines Alleged Atti-
tude of. Big Railroad
on Organized Labor
RECALLS GREAT
STRIKE OF 1877
Tells Federal Industrial Relations Com
mittee Giant Corporation Maintains
a Gigantic Police and Spy System
to Intimidate Its Employees

Washington, May 4,-The first of a
series of public hearings to extend over
a period of three weeks, into various
industrial and labor conditions, was
begun before the Federal industrial he
lations Commission to-day.
The inquiry opened with II. b. Per-
ham, president of the Order of Railway
Telegraphers as the first witness, to tes-
tify in connection with complaints by
that organization against the Pennsyl-
vania railroad. The Order of Railway
Telegraphers has not been recognized
by the railroad company.
Perham submitted the complaint of
his organization against the Pennsylva-
MIA.
Menace to Peace and Progress
"The present attitude of the Penn
svIvania toward its employees and or
ganized labor. - said he, constitutes
menace to the peace and progress of the
people. From the time of the big Penn
svlvania strike in 1877 to the present
time, the officials of the Pennsylvania
railroad have assumed an attitude of
arrogance and harshness that leads TO
strike and that is inimical to the pub
lie welfare. Ever since that strike the
actions of the Pennsylvania toward la
bor have been arbitrary and untavor-
able and the same attitude is being as
sumed TODAY. Being one of the fore
most companies of its kind, its example
often is followed by other railroads.
Four Brotherhoods Recognized
Perham said the only organizations
of labor recognized by the Pennsylva-
mia were the four big BrOtherhoods of
Tranmen. Engineers, Fremen and Con-
ductors. ''While the company has rec
ognzed only the four transportation
brotherhoodS it has done so while per
sistently making war on all other labor
organizations, attem, ting to break up
existing unions and preventing the or
,ganization of others.
1t has Disseminated against the rail
road teegraphers who belong to the or
ganization by diScharging them and de-
nving them promotion. 1t has pursued
the same tactic against the organized
shop men and broke up the organiza-
tion of the railway clerks by discharg-
ing all those who would not withdraw
from the unions.
Discharging of Employees
In many instances, Perham said,
fOremen and minor officials had bluntly
informed men that they were dis
charged ''because of their labor activ-
ity,' but that officially some technical
charge would be assigned for their dis
missal He also read letter from J.
T. Riley, formerly third vice president
of the railway clerks union, who said
that the Pennsylvania company had
"the most efficient secret service or
ganization in the world. not even eX-
cepting that of Russia. -
Letters from men now employed by
the Pennsylvania was submitted to the
Commission but Mr.. Perham requested
that names of the signers be withheld
to "protect them from victimizaton by
the railroad company.
The Police and Spy System
The road s police system. he said
cost about 100000 a wear. but he
said besides the regular police, there
are thousands of spies in its employ.
He gives instances of alleged espionage
and arrests of union men, submitting
detailed reports from union leaders
An affidavit submitted from A. f.
Ireland, of Pittsburgh, of the machin.
lists union, charged that the Pennsyl.
vania railroad strike in May, 1911
was precipitated when officials of the
company sought to compel one thousand
employees to withdraw from labor
unions. Ireland declared Pennsylvania
officials had told employees they were
willing for empoyes to unite in fra
ternal organization, "distinct and apart
from the American Federation of La
bor.''
Instances of physical assaults on
union men by Pennsylvania police were
read into the record by Perham and
afiidavits charging false arrest were
submitted.