Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-05
ATTERBURY TESTTFTES
THAT P. R. R. IS READY
FOR "ANY SITUATION
Frankly Admits Prepared
ness in Answer to Charge
That Company Is Main
tanning a "Russianized"
Police Force.

WASHINGTON. May 5.-Answering the
charge OF President II. b. Perhsm. OF
che order Of Railway Photographers that
the Pennsylvania Railroad includes
'sI2ussianlzcd" police force in its organlza-
tion. Vice President w. W. Atterbury OF
the company, frankly admitted before the
Federal Industrial Relations Commission
today that the Pennsylvania Is prepared
ITO meet any situation that may arise
Chairman walsh. of the Commission.
pressed to know If It was true that the
company has large quantities of arms and
ammunition on hand Further than to
say the company was prepared After
bury said he could not answer this ques-
tlon, bat that other oflclals OF the road
who would testify later could give the
desired information
He said the company's greatest asset
was the loyalty and efficiency of its men
and its labor policies are those that con-
serve that asset.
After explaining the pension system, he
said.
"The management frankly recognizes
the propriety OF the men organizing for
the purpose of lettering their condition.
subject only to such restriction as may
protect the elemental essential of safe and
continuous operation. 1t sometimes hap
pens that the MANAGEMENT itself would
be glad to do more in the direction OF
additional compensation or the men IL
economic conditions made 1t possible.
I'm dealing with organizations among
its employees the company has felt that
the employees themselves were the best
Judges of the forms of organization into
which they desired TO go. Therefore,
there has been no interference in the em-
pioyes' liberty of choice in this matter.
MAY REDRESS GRIEVANCES.
"The company has always recognized
tho right of any man to labor upon what
ever terms he and his employer may
agree, whether he belongs to n labor or
ganization or not. Employees have al
ways been given full opportunity to re-
dress their grievances, whether associated
with labor organizations or not.
"The foregoing statement, however,
must be qualified in this respect:
First. The company owes supreme
duty to its patrons and employees TO take
all possible measures to insure safety oil
operation. Such safety cannot be Sc
cured without the most careful adherence
to orders. The management has, there
fore, felt that 1t should resist firmly all
activities of employees organizations
which might tend in the least to under
mine discipline.
Second. The management is also re-
sponsble to the public for maintaining
continuity of operation. This has made
necessary policy of opposition TO such
labor organizations as might Interrupt
that continuity because of disputes with
which neither this company nor Its en-
ployes had any direct relation
''The company Is opposed, therefore, to
employees afflliating themselves with an
organization which might call a sympa-
thetic strike. II there is to be any strike
on this railroad the management believes
that 1t should be the result of the choice
of it's own employees, and because OF some
difference between this company and its
own men, and for no other reason.
THE company believes that men should
be employed without regard to the labor
organization of which they are members
and that every man should be free to
join an organization or to remain entirely
independent The company believes
therefore, that all its operation should
constitute an open shop
I'm normal times the Pennsylvania sys-
tenn has 10000 employees. The company
has always paid the highest prevailing
rate of wages paid to railroad employees
In the territory in which 1t operates"
PERHAM ACCUSES COMPANY.
Before Vice President Atterbury took
the stand H. B. Perham testified that
the Pennsylvania Railroad controlled the
courts in Altoona, and absolutely DOM
mated life in that city.
my company tbs of thee, | sing is
the paraphrase of the national anthem,
as II is sung at Altoona, Perham de-
ciared in outlining conditions in the
great Pennsylvania shops there.
'If you wish to live In Altoona you
must live as the Pennsylvania wishes
you to live. You must be a Pennsylvan-
ite," Perham continued. He added that
( the railroad exercises complete domina-
tiofI over labor and business conditions
there.
Drawn out by questions, by Daniel
O'connell, labor member of the commits
sion, Perham said the employees OF the
Pennsylvania at Altoona cannot find