Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1915-03-24
presenting the Railroad's Case.


With this letter is being circulated
considerable other literature showing
what the railroad calls the railroad
side in hopes of condemning the law
in the eyes of the public The en-
pIoyes are unable to- combat such a
campaign, because they lack the
means. As the companies state IN
their advertisements, they consider
this "a fair and above-board' way to
show the evils of the full crew Dill
but not being satisfied with this, and
knowing that the public would not
take the trouble to sign the circular
letter and send it to the representa-
tives, thew start monster petition
among their employees, and we find
freight agents and their assistants,
general yardmasters and their clerks,
lieutenants Of railroad police, track
foremen and heads of various other
departments, around canvassing their
men and getting them to sign the Pc
tition against the full crew law.
or course, as the companies state,
there is no compulsion to sign the
petition. YOU might also say there
is no compulsion to join the volun-
rary relief departments of some of
our big railroads where you wish to
obtain employment. But then, there
is no compulsion to work if you pre-
fer to starve or to be q tramp.
Take, for instance, the freight
agents OF one Of our large railroads
in the city going about personally
with this petition, with his cheerful
way Of putting it to the men-thai
everybody in the employ is signing
It. AS men working under him wish
promotion, and, of course, do not de-
sire to jeopardize their prospects in
this line, and in view of the fact that
the head of the department In which
the clerk works, Is using his most
persuasive manner to get his sigma
ture, what is the clerk to do but sign?
For, in case of reduction of force,
this superior can change his force to
suit himself.
Subordinate Mover in Doubt.
AS this same superior is the Judge
Of who has the ability to fill more
responsible position, and as there is
little doubt in the subordinate's mind
that orders have been issued from
the general Office to get every possi-
BILE signature, what Is the clerk to do?
He is not compelled to sign, no; but
there is a chance for retaliation in the
event of changes, and, when they
come he may be kept from promotion
Or changed to a more arduous task
at the same rate OF pay; he may be
reduced, in case of reduction of force,
or furloughed, dismissed, or, I might
say, fired" in case Of a depression
in business.
Then, another argument advanced
to the clerk is this: I'VE cannot ex-
pect an increase unless the companies
are allowed to make more money;
the trainmen are getting too much,
and IL the law is repealed, we might
get an increase" (Of course, this is
not promise.) II the clerk does not
sign he is liable to incur the dlspleas-
ure OF his superior. He knows not
what might happen upon refusing to
sign. OF course, as the companies
claim, there is no compulsion to sign.
We will take the case OF lieutenant
of police being seen going around at
night to make sure he meets all the
men to obtain the signatures Of
those on night duty. The railroad
police and watchmen can always be
found during their period of duty and
their superior puts II to them in this
way, Everybody met so far has
signed It," The men feel that If they
tail to sign their names will be con-
spicuous by their absence. AS no
man is perfect In the discharge of his
duties, the watchman probably feels