Denver labor bulletin., 1916-03-11
SWITCHMEN TELL
THEIR GRIEVANCES
Trade UniOniStS Hear Inside
of Railroad Trouble
Trainmen Defend Their Course OF Ac-
tion on Wabash and Other Roads
at Large Labor Meeting

One of the most unique as well as in
teresting labor meeting helds in Denver
recently was that which took place Mon
day night in Howe hall, l54S California
street, under auspices OF the local Switch
mems Union. Invitations had been ex-
tended to the railroad brotherhoods and
trade unions of the city to attend, and
there was a generous response, the hall
being full when the meeting was called
to order shortly after 5 O'Clock.
1t was for the purpose of making
known to the organized working people
the issues involved in the lurisdictional
trouble between the Switchmen's Union
OF North America and the Brotherhood
of Railroad Trainmen. and the claim of
the switchmen that trainmen are taking
their places when they go on strike, the
most recent grievance being on the Wa
bash system. where the Switchmen's Un-
ion called a strike in February.
Grievance of Switehnen.
William F. Secori OF the Switchmen's
Union was the first speaker, and eN-
planned in detail the grievance of his or
ganization against the trainmen, taking
up the various strikes since the union
was organized. He asserted the B. r. 7.
was endeavoring to break up the Switch
mems Union and force its members TO
Join the Brotherhood. a letter was read
] from International President $. f. Heb
/ erling charging the trainmen with adopt
ing unfair tactics to bring this about, in
which many instances Were cited to sus-
tain this contention.
Treasurer John ]. Shea of the Switch
mems Union asserted that he could fur
nish the names OF thirty-five or forty
Z. Il. 7. men in Denver who had taken
the places of union switchmen in the
yards.
Vice President \. A Clements of the
local union furnished the B. +. T. repre-
sentatives present with names of men on
the Union Pacific whom he said had
taken places of union switchmen on
strike in At least three instances, He
further called attention TO similar occur
rences in Chicago.
Trainmen Defend Themselves.
]. \. Farquharson of Cleveland, Ohio,
vice president of the national organiEa-
tion of Brotherhood of Railroad Train
men, replied TO these charges in n
lengthy address, in which he asserted
that in every case where trainmen had
taken the places of union switchmen dur
ing strikes. the strike had been Illegally
called. No member of the Brotherhood
has ever scabbed on the switchmen. and
no scab is ever permitted to join our or
ganization.r declared Farquharson. He
told of many instances of which he had
personal knowledge where charges made
against the trainmen We're untrue, as
viewed by the Brotherhood. He further
said the &. r. T. had always claimed
Jurisdiction over the yardmen. and as
serted that 10000 railroad yardmen of
the United States are now members of
the Brotherhood as against 1000 in the
Switchmen's Union.
Many Railroad Men Present.
Following the two principal addresses
of the evening there was considerable
cross.firing of questions and replies, but
good order prevailed thruout and no
harsh language was indulged in by either
side to the controversy. Large delega
tions We're present from the Brotherhood
OF Railway Trainmen, Brotherhood OF
Locomotive Engineers, Brotherhood OF
locomotive Fircmen and Enginemen. and
Order OF Railway Conductors. Neither