Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1916-10-23
SO=CALLED labor ATTACK" ON
SENATOR DUPONT BOOMERANG,
SAY CONDUCTOR AND PRESSMAN

of any kind were placed in our way
THE W. and \. Railroad system, be-
ing only a miles in length, was a small
concern among the railroads Of the
country and consequently the officers
and men came in closer contact with
each other chan was the case on other
systems. The president, superintendent
and other officers came in personal touch
with the men almost daily, and knew
very well what was goin Oh III the way
OF a labor movement, but there was
never hint Of opposition expressed.
Had Col. dupont been disposed TO
oppose the movement for organization
among the telegraph operators he wouio
have had a precedent i'm the Philadelphia
and Reading Railroad 10 follow. That
.ruad was so strongly opposed to organ
zation among lnboring men that at That
time no union man could secure employ
ment ON it's lines, and they even went
80 far as to require every man taken
on TO sign a statement to the effect that
he did not belong TO any labor union
and Woul0 not join one while connected
with the railroad. 4 NE W. and \. sys-
tenn had It's labor unions among the
[ trainmen, and no obstacles were ever
placed IN the way of their progress.
Dr. Bastion stated that wages in those
old days were not what they are today,
hut that Col. duPont's road paid as we'll
as amy other ROAD. As to hours, every
one worked - hour in those days, he
said. adding, ~ put IN twelve hours
every day, aud worked about J9O days
In the year
Asked what he meant by placing the
extra twenty-five days in the year. the
physician explained that he often work
ed his own trick at the key ana then
sat through the shift for his relief.
And [ found time TO read and study
during the quiet spells of my trick at
the key he added.
Although Dr. Bastian used to come in
frequent contact with Col. DUPONT in
the days when be was a telegraphcr, he
supposed that the former railroad presi-
dent had forgotten him long ago. lie
was aprecahlv surprised recently TO
meet Senator dupont az the French street
station. and have him recognize him,
and refer pleasantly to the old railroad
days.
Dr. Bastian spoke in the highest
terms of senator dupont's business
ability As an example of this he stated
that Col DUPONT took over the ". and
~ Railroad when it was practically !
bankrupt. made of the road "a paying
proposition and then sold it to the
Philadelphia aud Reading for S5,OOO,OOO,
Union Printer LaudS Senator.
John $. Drukkor who for many years
4 fIsrt
graphical Union No. 1913. and who IL
now member OF Printing Pressmcn's
Union. No. | OF Washington, d. G.. is
one of tho many union men who vigor
ously aud cmphatically resent the
baselcss attacks on senator Henry A.
DUPONT as an enemy of labor"
Mr. Drukller is now employed in the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing in
Washington but hc votes in Delaware.
In 1907 Mr. Drukker. who was at
that time Snowman. met with a seri-
Gus accident and was confined for
time in Delaware Hospital While re-
cuperatine he was discussing his i'll
fortune with one of the physicians at
the institution, and incidentally men
toned that il hc had not been badly
treated BY the Civil Service Commits
sion hc would be able to go TO work in
Washington. The physician asked for
the particulars, and on learning them,
suggested that Mr. Dukker lay the
facts before senator DUPONT. who. he
assured him, would see that Justice
was done him.
Mr.. Drukkcr demurred. saying he had
no acquaintance with senator DUPONT,
and no claim upon him. and he feared
that a workingman like himself would
got scant attention.
The physician insisted however, and
Mr. Drukker reluctantly submitted his
story TO the Senator. After a thorough
investigation senator dupont found
Drukkcr's complaint justified and his
story substautiated in every particular
lie at once used every means at his
command 10 see that Dukker was re-
instated. finally taking the matter up
10 the then President Roosevelt The
President was convinced of the Justice
ct Drukker's plea and hi- reinstatement
followed. For nearly ten years Mr.
Drukke has occupied the position which
he owes 90 Senator duPont'- efforts in
his behalf