The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-29
SECRET ORDERS
 FOR STRIKE ON
 SEPT. 4 ISSUED
Brotherhood Chairmen Are Given Instructions for
 Emergency.

Emergency. Washington. Aug. 29-Here is a copy of the secret strike order handed to the $40 brotherhood Chairmen in | sealed envelopes, who left Washington yesterday. In addition to this order secret instructions were issued to the | members for their guidance in the event of a strike. The strike order reads:
 Brotherhood of Locomotive En- gineers
 Brotherhood of Locomotive Fire men and Enginemen
 Order of Railway Conductors. Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen. Aug. IA, 1916. To all local Chairmen, members, and others employed in classes of serv- ice represented by the B. of E., B. of'L- E. & S., O. R. C., and B. R. T. Sir and Brothers: This is to advise that vote of the employees in train and engine service on the eight-hour day anc time and one-ha1f for over time proposition was overwhelmingly in favor of a strike.
 Notwithstanding this your repre- senatives have been unable to effect a satisfactory settlement, and strike under tI.e laws of the respective or ganizations becomes effective Sept 4, 1916, at 2 a. m.
 Impart this information so that those interested will understand that they are to promptly obey. Fraternally yours.
  General Chairman The instructions, which counsel obedience to the law in the event of a strike, and define the duties of mem bers and their local Chairmen, follow. Brotherhood of Locomotive En- g:neers.
 Brotherhood of Locomotive Fire men and Enginemen.
 Order of Railway Conductors. ! Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen. Sir and Brothers:
 In connection with the strika you will observe the following instr-lc' tiobs:
 DUTIES OF MEMEEnS: :. No man in road service involved in the strike will perform any serv- ice after the hour set to strike, unless he has already began his trip and has actually left the terminal. If the train has left the term nal !le will complete the trip and deliver the en- zine and train at. the cad of run, or tie- up point, if tied up under the law, after which he will perform no fur tlier service until the close of the st NoJ t,fbov- road Saru- ice will leave inc service at the ap- pointed time.
 Sc far as your legal right to strike is concerned, there is no difference between a mail train and freight train. You have idertically the same right to refuse 10 perform service on nail train as you have to refuse to re- form service cn a .ereish. train.
 g. All men on strike wlli keep away from the companies property, except such men as are designated certain duties to be performed by authority of the organizations.
 8 Every man should understand that the laws of the Iand must be obeyed. Acts of violence of any ma ture will not be tolerated by the orr ganizations.
 1. The local representatives will arr range for a hall for meeting purposes at all terminals, using one of their own lodge rooms if available. Imme- dately after the strike becomes effec- tive all men will assemble at the hall secured for meeting purposes. When thus assembled an organization will be perfected by the election of a chair man, vice chairman, and secretary. 1rvfn 1,o kk.I 1,o present in the meeting hall other than those who are on strike except by per- mission of the assembly.
 5. The secfetary will arrange roll call alphabetically, with each organ ization on separate sheet Roll will be called twice daily, morning and af- ternoon. The names of the non-mem- bers will be kept separate on the roll from the names of those who are members of the organization. All strikers will be required to answer the rollcall, and also to be in the halls, where halls are provided, during the day at all times, unless excused by committee action or by chairman of the meeting. The secretary will also keep a record of the proceedings from day to day.
 6. In the conduct of every strike there are numerous irresponsible per- sons, not members of the organiza- ton, who take occasion to engage in acts of violence and disorderly con- duct, and such actions are usually at- tributed to members of the organiza- ton, and great care should be taken by every member of the organizations to avoid associating with such persons and such conduct should be discour aged so as not to cast reproach upon the cause.
 2. Some railroad officials may en- deavor to coerce or misIead the men by asserting that men at other points have not quit or that they have re- turned to work. Such information should be discounted, and all strikers should apply to their officers and con- mitteemen for information and be gov. erned accordingly and no member or non-union man will return to work until the strike is officially declared oil, when all will return to work at the same time without prejudice and with all former rights
 Duties of Local Chairmen.
 l. The local chairmen of each or. ganization on each division of rail- road will Jointly supervise the pros ecution of the strike on the territory over which they have Jurisdiction.
 E. Local cha1rmen are expected to keep in close touch with. the situation and use every honorable effort to fI,r- ther the cause, and will report daily.