Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-11-14

There are six more classes ranging
In weight from 100000 to 100000 lbs.
that will pay &c a day more than
the previous weight of engine, but
these engines are what are known as
Mallets and are working west on the
~proportioned On these last named en-
gines for both freight and passenger.
In considering the 5th named,
which is the type of passenger we
have in this territory, every days
work Of 100 miles, 80 days to the
month, will pay a passenger fireman
$139.z0. The 5th named in freight
service, being the type of freight en-
gines we have, every day Of 100 miles,
80 days to the month. will pay q
freight fireman $16z.9o. You have
for passenger fireman $19a.12 and for
freight fireman $4,000.
In both cases you were careful to
state that these figures are for 1 nor
NAL days service, 80 days to the
month. You have the passenger fire.
mar drawing more than the freight
fireman, which is something very few
railroad men ever heard of.
Now I believe you are fair enough
to agree with me in saying that lei
on long mileage runs should be paid
more for their trip than men on
shorter mileage. The mel in engine
service today have an agreement
among themselves and the railroad
company (known as the Chicago
Joint Working Agreement) to limit
mileage to $500 miles in freight
and 1900 miles in passenger service
per month. The latter never being
attained on our division on account
of the short mileage, and besides, we
are not allowed to go over the divi-
sion more than once in any n
calendar day, or to equal 80 days per
month, and it is very doubtful II such
passenger mileage is made anywhere
on the Northern Pacific.
If these miles could be attained
mo maintained for more han three
months out Of the year, (Sept., Oct,
Nov.) I am very sure nc one would
make a protest to wage reductions,
but for a good conservative average
of the mileage for the year I would
say that about 2755 miles would be
4 close.
Our passenger agreement does not
increase u passenger mileage on
agreement not allowing the excess
mileage to apply except in the event
Of an additional run.
Please don't forget. the nature of
u work burdens US with a board
bill away from home, together with
sometimes almost unbearable grief
due to a hundred different kinds OF
weather and the condition of a scrap
engine and a poor grade of coal. All.
these things coming unexpectedly at
any time Of the day or night, making
us on duty almost tyenty-four hours
a day, s65 days a year, in order to
keep both ends coupled up.
1 know this is a very long article,
but a true one, and 1 would like very
much to have YOU publish it, just
once.
I remain very resp.
GEO. p. HALL
Editors Note:-Mr. Hall is in err
o regarding the publication in The
Herald Of the article he refers to.
This was published as a communica-
ton from Rev. F. Halsey Ambrose,
and The Herald assumed no RESPONSE
bility for the figures quoted therein,
Just as it ssumes no responsibility
for the figures now quoted by Mr..
Hall. Furthermore. Mr.. Ambrose's
letter vas published in answer to
one from the local railway men set
ting forth their side of controversy,
which had been published the day
previously.