The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-07
BOSTON & maine
ROAD SHOPMEN
FIGHT BOSSES
Five Workers Demand
Their Jobs Back

BOSTON, Mass, April 5. - The
fight Of the five suspended BIIlerlca
shopmen on the Boston and Maine
railroad goes on for reinstatement.
The Boston and Maine railroad fired
five shopmen because they dared to
go to the United States department Of
labor commissioner and present the
grievances of the workers in the Bill
erlca shops for adjustment.
The superintendent of the shop
fired the five and when the workers
called meeting to discuss the griev-
ances, the bosses told each of the
workers that If any of them went to
the meeting to discuss the grievances
they would lose their jobs.
Fire Workers.
Those that spoke at the meeting
declared that they were sure they
would be fired for criticizing condi-
tons in the shops. The workers in the
shops we're bitter over the way in
which the bosses cheated them on the
piece-work. The men point out that
the company underpaid the piece-work-
ers and that company had failed to
live up to promises it had made the
workers.
The workers further point out that
the company has been firing workers
that have worked in the shops for
three to four years because they were
unable to stand the pace in the piece
work departments
The excuse the company gave for
firing the men was that they had mis-
represented" their case before the Ia
Dor board. In the same statement the
officials announced that they we're will
ing to meet the five workers, allowing
each worker a representative to pre-
sent their case.
Demand Hearing.
The strikers Immediately sent a let
ter to James H. Hustis, president of
the road, telling him that they were
willing to appear before him or any
impartial committee and present their
case. They also insisted on being able
to pick whoever they wanted to rep
resent them at the investigation and
also demanded the presence of the
United States department of labor
commissioners at the hearing.
The management set a date for a
hearing and when the department of
labor commissioners and the workers
arrived at the agreed place the bosses
refused to allow the department of
labor commissioners to enter. The
workers left the place in a body, as
each had made the agreement that
they would defend each other. A let
ter was sent by the workers to the
road head asking for a hearing ac-
cording to the statement made by the
official and insisted they would not
attend any hearings unless the depart
ment of labor officials were allowed to
f! listen.
Workers Party Aids Fight.
The Workers (Communist) Party
sent the following letter to the shop
men praising their efforts in the fight
for reinstatement and pledging them
aid in their struggle:
"Mrs Archibald Harris,
Chairman of the Suspended Men,
"Billerica Shopmen,
40 Ashland Street,
"Somerville, Mass.
Dear Sir and Brother:
1.-THE Workers (Communist) Party
wishes to express it's fullest sympathy
and solidarity with you in your fight
against the railroad magnates of the
Boston and Maine railroad, for rein
statement. We shall be glad to assist
YOU in every possible way in order
that you may be successful in your
demands. Our press and our machin-
cry is at your disposal, whenever you
may need it.
incidentally, our research depart
ment has clipped an article from the
New York Times which we take great
pleasure in sending you. AS you will
note, the article shows that the Boston
and Maine railroad earned S5,46S, 909
during the year 1926, which was the
best year since 1916. The railroad
should be very we'll able to afford a
considerable increase in wages for its
employes on this basis.
with every wish for your success,
I am,
"Fraternally yours,
"Bert Miller,
"District Organizer.