Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1922-08-18


ing is particular part, which is again
divided SO that certain gangs do a
particular class of work.
The machinist work is divided into
at least four classes. The work on
the air brake equipment is very i'm
portant and complicated, and requires
much study before man can become
efficient. The cab gang, as they are
termed, does the repairing of boiler
accessories inside the engine cab.
The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion laws on this work are very
strict, and if all the locomotives were
taken out of service at this time that
according to law are defective, it
would include at least ninety-eight
per cent. What the government should
be doing at this time is seeing that
the federal inspectors do their duty,
rather than sending gunner and
troops to various terminals to pro-
tect that misnomered class called
faithful employees, who jeopardize
public safety.
The cabmen adjust the safety valves
and test the steam gauges, both very
sensitive parts, which if neglected
may cause the loss of hundreds of
lives.
The third gang does what is called
floor work, most of which is heavy
dirty, hard work which requires years
of experience before a man is capable
of finding and repairing defects quick
ly and properly.
The steam pipe repairing is done
by another gang. This class of work
includes the throttle rigging which
controls the steam. This is hard,
tedious work; there are number OF
joints that must be ground perfectly
and fit so that no steam can leak
through which would cause the engine
to start when standing alone. When
there is no strike on the company Of
ficials and the government inspectors
are very particular about this work.
Space will not permit describing in
detail all the work necessary to keep
the engines in large terminals in
proper repair.
The work of the boilermakers, pipe
filters, carpenters, electricians and
blacksmiths is divided in a similar
i manner.
There is no other class of work re-
quiring proficiency, skill and expert
ence and upon the proper performance
of which depends the lives of thou
sands of people, as that demanded of
and done by the hard working rail-
road shopmen of the United States.
In view of the fact that every ac-
cident on the railroad costs the COM
pany vast sums of money, both for
the damage done and in loss of busi-
ness, it will suffice to say that man
must be competent and worthy Of
SoIi0luCIo oIIoH WIN Coil, Ny Ills lIoAiooey
and carefulness, hold a position in a
railroad shop for a period of from
two to twenty or thirty years.
If the seniority rights are taken
away it gives the foreman an op-
portunity to put his friends on lighter
and more agreeable work, though he
may not be experienced or careful;
but with the seniority clause in the
agreement the older man in point of
service is given an opportunity (thirty
days. to prove to the foreman that he
can make good on what is classed the
preferred jobs.
For example, in the roundhouse and
in the erecting shop the engine is set
over pit, and much of the work is
done by men in the pit, while others
must climb to the top of the engine.
Aside from climbing in and out of
the pit the men must do heavy lifting
when in stopped position and in
close places.
1t Is quite apparent to the fair
minded person that when a man has
served company for number of
years at this class of work it is no
more than fair that he is given an
opportunity at least to try to do the
lighter and more agreeable work.
Aside from the class of work al
ready mentioned which is done on the
engine there is bench work and ma
chine work, such as filing, fitting,
turning and boring, all of which re-
quires skilled men. This class of work
does not require heavy lifting and
climbing. 1t is the desire of the shop
men that the new men be started on
the harder jobs and the older ones
be given the more agreeable work