Mr. H. B. PERHAM,

President, St. Louis, Mo.

PHILADELPHIA, PA., May 2, 1913.

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: See attached letter from Brother J. H. Austin, assistant local chairman, Trenton Division, P. R. R., with reference to what Brother Fred Johnson, Hornerstown, N. J., had to say with reference to his being called into the division operator's office at Camden and what was said to him by Mr. Woompool, assistant to division operator, regarding the O. R. T. and the O. R. T. D. A. & S., etc., etc.,

Yours, fraternally,

BROTHER ELLIS:

T. E. ELLIS,

General Delivery, Philadelphia, Pa.

DELANCO, N. J., April 30, 1913.

I want to give you a little information, but I was told confidentially not to tell it, but I am going to tell you and you can go see him if you desire, but don't let him know I told you or I won't get any more out of him. Brother Fred Johnson, of Harnerstown, N. J., works third trick at "B. J.," Mount Holley. I was talking to him on the Mount Holly station Monday night. I saw he wanted to tell me something by his actions. He said this: "I was called on the phone by one of the dispatchers, Mr. McCabe, that I had a chance of going in the dispatcher's office, and come down, Stanley Woompool-that's division operator's assistant-wants to see you." He went down and saw him. He took him in his office and said, " Johnson, there is room for one man in D. S. Camden dispatcher's office, and you are in line for it, but you know you belong to the O. R. T. and you can not belong to that and work in there." He said, "Now, Johnson, I know how you feel about it, but that's the company's orders. We don't want any of our men to belong to it anywhere but out on the road. We can not help it, but you can belong to the D., A. & S.,” he said.

So Johnson said to me: "Now, I suppose if I go in there and drop the O. R. T. I will be a sucker in the opinion of the men out on the road." I said, "Yes;" but he said "I hate like hell to see all the rest going in ahead of me, and just because I belong to that I can not go in there." I think that means, the way I take it, that he is going to drop us and go in there by his actions now.

If the information is of any use to you use it, but don't let Johnson know I told you, see. Probably I will get more. How are things? Best wishes. Yours, fraternally,

J. H. AUSTIN, A. L. C.

WINDSOR HOTEL,

Mr. H. B. PERHAM,

President, St. Louis Mo.

Philadelphia, Pa., August 14, 1913.

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: Brother Rex reports that Brother O. R. Simmers, Phoenixville, Pa, stated to him that Division Operator J. C. Moran, P. R. R., Schuylkill division, Reading, Pa., recently said to him after having asked Simmers if he had joined the O. R. T., and Simmers answering that he had, that it might not be the best thing for the boys to join the O. R. T., that Mr. Atterbury did not approve of the boys joining the O. R. T., on account of it being radical, and that he did not approve of its methods. Simmers asked Moran if he should understand that the men were to be discharged because of their membership in the O. R. T., Moran replied, no; explaining there is a law preventing such action and went on to say that Mr. Atterbury objected to the O. R. T., that he (Moran) had nothing against the O. R. T., but had to carry out instructions given him by higher officials. This is the Moran that attended our open meeting at Pheonixville, Pa., on June 30, 1913. For your information.

Fraternally, yours,

T. E. ELLIS,

General Delivery, Philadelphia, Pa.

FREE CARDS IN COMPANY'S ORGANIZATION.

Mr. H. B. PERHAM, President O. R. T.,

SUNBURY, PA., August 28, 1912.

3415 North Twenty-second Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: I inclose herein a certificate of membership issued free gratis by an organization known as the O. R. T., D., A., & S., with headquarters in Philadelphia, Pa., to Mr. J. W. Orndorf, whose address is Northumberland, Pa., together with other letters of explanation. The letter written me by Mr. Orndorf is self-explanatory.

For your information wish to state that I went to see Mr. W. S. Minnier, whose address is 151 Church Street, Sunbury, Pa., who declared to me in the presence of witnesses that he, too, got a free certificate, practically in the same manner. With best wishes, I am,

Yours, fraternally,

PAUL H. WENRICH, Organizer,
General Delivery, Sunbury, Pa.

66

[Inclosure.]

Fraternity and cooperation."

ORDER RAILROAD TELEGRAPHERS, DESPATCHERS, AGENTS, AND SIGNALMEN.

This is to certify that J. W. Orndorf is a member of this organization and entitled to such sick, disability, and funeral benefits as are provided for in its laws, subject to such amendments as may be hereafter adopted at sessions of the grand division.

[SEAL.]

Attest:

ADAM REED, Grand Secretary-Treasurer.

J. R. T. AUSTON, President.

Issued at the general offices, Philadelphia, Pa., July 1, 1912.

Mr. PAUL A. WENRICH,

NORTHUMBERLAND, PA., August 28, 1912.

Organizer, Order of Railroad Telegraphers, Sunbury, Penna.

DEAR SIR: About one year ago I gave my application to Mr. W. P. Brown for the O. R. T. D. A. & S., together with a dollar, and one month after I handed him this application I requested him to return me the dollar, as I had decided not to join the body. This he refused to do. I have been receiving their monthly publication, which is edited in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., ever since, and I have not paid one cent since I paid Mr. Brown the dollar. Notwithstanding these facts, I received a certificate of membership on the 17th of July, 1912, free gratis and against my will, which I take great pleasure of enclosing herein, in the hope that it will help the consistent organized telegraphers of North America in showing those concerned, at the proper time, the tactics this so-called organization is resorting to in boosting their membership by issuing these free certificates.

I am willing to testify at any time regarding the facts as herein set forth. I most sincerely hope the information imparted in this letter will be of service to the general committee representing the O. R. T. and the men in the telegraph department east of Pittsburgh and Erie.

With best wishes to the general committee and the cause they represent, I am, Yours, respectfully,

Witnesses:

G. C. VANDELING.

C. C. FENSTERMACHER.

J. W. ORNDORF, Operator.

Mr. P. A. WENRICH,

NORTHUMBERLAND, PA., August 28, 1912.

Organizer, O. R. T., P. R. R. Lines East of Pittsburgh and Erie. DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: Referring to the papers you have in your possession signed by J. W. Orndorf, wish to say that I can substantiate all the statements contained therein, inasmuch as I have been and am now working in the same office with Mr. Orndorf, who has confided in me the facts set forth in his com

munication to you by word of mouth time and again. It is evidently plain that this so-called organization is issuing bogus certificates free gratis and to men who are not now and who never have been "paid up" in that "body," in order to boost their membership and make things "look but like what they ain't," in order to discredit the consistent organized telegraphers of North America (the O. R. T.), who are in reality representing 95 per cent of the telegraphers on this division.

With best wishes, I am,
Fraternally, yours,

H. B. PERHAM,

President O. R. T., 3415 North Twenty-second Street, Philadelphia, Pa. DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: The reason I couldn't get the papers from Mr. W. S. He further claims he has Minnier is because he claims he destroyed them. friends in the O. R. T., D. A. & S., and when I wanted him to make affidavit regarding the facts he "ran under the platform," but I have him fast, as he declared himself very plainly in the presence of a witness.

I am,

Yours, fraternally,

PAUL A. WENRICH.

ELMIRA, N. Y., September 12, 1912.

Mr. H. B. PERHAM,

President O. R. T., 3415 North Twenty-second Street, Philadelphia, Pa. DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: For your information permit me to say that a telegrapher employed on the Elmira division of the P. R. R., by the name of Frank C. Collins, whose address is 213 Colwell Avenue, Elmira, N. Y., admitted in the presence of Brothers E. A. Johnson, Starkey, N. Y.; C. G. Robinson and J. J. Clair, of Montour Falls and Watkins, N. Y., respectively, that he-Collinsreceived a paid-up card in a so-called organization of telegraphers, known as the O. R. T., D. A. & S., free gratis, notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Collins has not paid anything into that organization for over six months prior to the time he received this free certificate.

I have no seem Mr. Collins personally, as yet, but will do so as soon as In the meanwhile you can possible, and will advise you fully when I do so. make use of this information, as the witnesses were very emphatic in their declaration, which was made in the presence of Brother Newman, first vice president of the O. R. T.

With best wishes, I am,
Yours, fraternally,

PAUL A. WENRICH.

Mr. H. B. PERHAM.

1308 NINTH STREET, Altoona, Pa., September 14, 1912.

DEAR SIR AND FRIEND: Although, as you are aware, I voted against a strike, feel anxious to see fair play. and I trust there may be no necessity for one, I realize that the new order, known as the O. R. T. D. A. & S., has apparently set up the claim that they represent the majority of the men-a claim I feel is false yet who knows might not be bolstered up to appear correct? I therefore call immedaite attention to the fact that I have been receiving regularly, for more than a year, the paper known as the Wire and Signal, yet have never subscribed for it or requested it. And on making inquiry among the men here I learn that several of them, both O. R. T. and nonmembers of either the old or new, are now and have been receiving the above-named paper regularly. I therefore suppose that the mailing list of the new order contains many, if not all, the names of the telegraphers, and possibly others hereabouts, gratis, like those I mention. Now, then, if that is the case, surely their mailing list ought not be used as evidence to support any claims of representation, and I therefore inform you of this matter.

Kindly, yours,

C. W. MELOY.

[Order of Railroad Telegraphers. Pennsylvania Railroad system, division No. 17.]

Mr. H. B. PERHAM,

2916 HUNTINGDON AVENUE, Baltimore, Md., September 13, 1912.

President O. R. T., National Hotel, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: Referring to your letter of some time ago regarding the sending out of free paid-up certificates to certain members of the O. R. T. D. A. & S., beg to advise that Mr. W. A. Gosson, now a signalman located at Whiting, N. J., in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad, states that he has been receiving cards in Auston's organization for the past two years, and that during that time he has not remitted them one penny. This man is now a member of the railway signalmen's organization and would be willing to give testimony to this effect if called on.

With best wishes, I am,

Fraternally, yours,

J. C. SCHRODER, Organizer.

IN RE COMPANY MEN ATTENDING MEETINGS ALL OVER THE SYSTEM ON FREE PASSES AND PRESUMABLY ON COMPANY TIME.

THE COLONIAL HOTEL, Altoona, Pa., January 2, 1912.

Mr. H. B. PERHAM,

President, St. Louis, Mo.

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: During the series of O. R. T. open meetings held by the undersigned over the Pennsylvania Railroad lines east of Pittsburgh and Erie the following Pennsylvania Railroad Co. employees, who are representatives of the alleged Pennsylvania Railroad Co. organization for telegraphers, etc., were frequent attendants and did all possible to discredit the Order of Railroad Telegraphers and its grand officers: W. L. Overdorff, assistant yardmaster, New York, 257 West One hundred and eleventh Street, New York City; R. H. Conway, interlocking repairman, Broad Street Station, Philadelphia, Pa.; C. F. Bannister, Pennsylvania Railroad Station, New York City; M. W. Burke, Pennsylvania Railroad Station, New York City; Adam Reed, "PO" telegraph office, Broad Street Station, Philadelphia, Pa.; J. W. Green, Thirty-second Street Pennsylvania Railroad office, Philadelphia, 837 North Fortieth, Philadelphia, Pa.; M. J. Kelley, train director, Tower "A," New York Pennsylvania Railroad terminals, New York City.

Be

There were others, but the above named were the most active, especially Overdorff, Conway, Kelley, and Reed, who were at most of the meetings. ginning in September and ending December 9th, 1912, meetings were held in Trenton, N. J., Camden, N. J., Wilmington, Del., Harrisburg, Pottsville, Altoona, Sunbury, Williamsport, Lock Haven, Pittsburgh, and New Freedom, Pa., some of the men mentioned were at each of these meetings, all of them acknowledged they were traveling on free transportation furnished by the P. R. R.

At Williamsport Mr. T. E. Fidler, a member of the P. R. R. telegraphers committee, said to Mr. Overdorff, "How does it come you can get away from your job with the P. R. R. at New York to attend all these meetings?" It is claimed Overdorff told Fidler the company did not know he was absent from his regular duties.

A considerable number of P. R. R. employees believe the P. R. R. arranged to relieve these men for the purpose of allowing them to attend these meetings and that their pay by the company went on uninterruptedly.

Adam Reed was absent from his position in "P. O." telegraph office, Broad Street Station, Philadelphia, Pa., some months. It is said that he claimed the company had transferred him temporarily into the supply department, but this did not seem to interfere with Mr. Reed's attendance at our meetings.

Martin J. Kelley, train director, tower "A," New York terminals, was at times out on the road organizing among the telegraphers repairmen, etc., for the alleged company organization (named O. R. T. D. A. & S.), and it is also claimed using a regular P. R. R. “" employees' pass" during such times.

It was stated by one of these men in our meeting at Pottsville that L. K. Marr, train master, New York terminals P. R. R., New York City, is a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen in good standing, and at that time Martin J. Kelley had in his pocket Mr. Marr's receipt for last term of dues in

that organization, whether for the purpose of assisting him in getting members into the alleged P. R. R. Company's organization for telegraphers, etc., or not, it was not stated.

If it is desired to know at just what meetings certain ones of the abovenamed men were in attedance and dates of meetings, I can give you the information.

Yours, fraternally,

H. B. P.:

T. E. ELLIS, General Delivery, Altoona, Pa.

PHILADELPHIA, December 13, 1912.

R. H. Conway, signal repairman, Philadelphia Terminal, 2543 North Nineteenth Street, Philadelphia, Pa.; W. L. Overdorff, assistant yard master, Manhattan Terminal, N. Y., P. R. R. station. Martin J. Kelley, C. F. Bannister, M. W. Burke, and George Carson, train directors, P. R. R. station, N. Y. Above names are the ones who attended the several meetings.

J. A. B.

PERHAM EXHIBIT NO. 10.

PHILADELPHIA, PA., June 9, 1913.

Mr. H. B. PERHAM, President, New York.

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: Information comes to me this a. m. from Brother McGrail, Altoona, reading in part as follows:

"After the conductor on the train which I used to the tower this date collected his tickets, I asked him if he knew anything about the new association; he said, 'You are d- right I do.' I attended the meeting at Pittsburgh last Monday out of curiosity, and I saw the s heels of the Pittsburgh division there and prime movers."

McCrail says the conductor named Hepney and Bently had been thrown out of the O. R. C. account of "underhanded work" last time they were taking a strike vote; also the same man went down to Walls, Pa., during the shopmen's strike and made himself conspicuous in "butting into affairs which he should have stayed out of."

The conductor also told McGrail that Conductor Collins (chairman of the meeting) went to the company and told them he was satisfied when last strike vote was taken. He said the whole move had a mysterious appearance; that it is always good to beware of Greeks bearing gifts.

"Tom, you were right about discredited movers so far as the regular unions are concerned, and I think we should keep track of this thing."

I am sending some of this to a certain few to-day. Received a letter from Miller this a. m., in which he says he left Harrisburg before my request to look up the origin of the articles appearing in the daily papers was received, he also said there is to be a meeting at Wilmington to-night and asked me to be there. There is an open meeting of Auston's bunch here to-night, and if I find I can't get in there I will go to Wilmington.

Telegram from Wenrich the 7th stated he is in bad shape, no relief from the pain, bedfast.

I will try and get our men to get in touch with the other brotherhoods on this association matter. It appears to me cooperation can be brought about through this new move on the part of the opposition. Do you wish me to do this?

Yours, fraternally,

T. E. ELLIS, General Delivery, Philadelphia, Pa.

PHILADELPHIA, PA., March 24, 1904.

Mr. H. B. PERHAM, President, St. Louis, Mo.

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: Brother Blaney, of the B. L. E., was telling me the other day that whenever they discover a member of their organization joining the Penna. R. R. new M. B. A. steps are taken immediately to throw him out. I am advised that some of the other organizations are doing the same thing,