Wilmington, Del.; Camden, N. J.; Trenton, N. J.; and Baltimore, Md.; meeting in all about 400 men. They are very much incensed against the treatment they have received from their employer and the way their committee had been used recently.

The situation is further aggravated by the company attempting to form an organization of its employees to be used for its own purpose, the company being willing to meet representatives from its own organization and treating with contempt the committee that was elected by the employees to represent them. The company wants the small minority to represent the great majority, and as a consquence 100 per cent of the men favor a strike.

I canvassed the situation closely and you may rely upon the truth of this statement.

Fraternally, yours,

J. J. DERMODY,
Fourth Vice President.

PERHAM EXHIBIT NO. 12.

P. R. R. VOLUNTARY RELIEF.

PITTSBURGH, PA., February 5, 1913.

Mr. G. Z. Stover, local chairman, P. R. R., Monongahela division (O. R. T.) committee, 243 5th Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa., to-day stated in part as follows: That in 1910 the Voluntary Relief (P. R. R.) became practically a compulsory proposition; that it is the policy of the company to not engage the services of men who can not successfully pass the Vol. R'l'f examination; that while he does not now belong to that relief it is due to the manner in which he has filled out blanks and answered questions by examiners; that it has been you do not need to go into suggested to him by the division operator that " very close details, they do not need to know all about you," words to that effect; this in an endeavor to get Stover to pass the examination and take membership, which Stover does not want, declaring the Vol. R'l'f is but a graft.

That it is a popular and general belief among the employees of the P. R. R. that several years before they reach retirement age demotion is given them in order to reduce rate of pension when retirement comes to them; that pension rates are arrived at by the average wage of the man during the last 10 years of service.

That the P. R. R. gained a very large sum of money through the "laying off" or discharging its shopmen and the strike resulting from this action in 1911; that there were men in the shops who had been in the service for 25 years and all those who were dismissed from the service or went on strike and belonged to the relief lost all they had paid into it; those who were taken back went into the service and into the Vol, Relief as new employees and members; T. E. ELLIS. of course, those who were barred by age from the relief are not members.

PHILADELPHIA, PA., February 14, 1913. Conductor Newcomer, work extra, 1142, on P. R. R.. between Moores and Chester, Pa., Feb. 13, 1913, among other things stated as follows:

That the P. R. R. Vol. Relief is compulsory, inasmuch that an applicant for work must pass the examination of the Vol. Relief examiner before a position will be given, and if not successful with the examination no position will be given the applicant; in other words, it is join the Vol. R'l'f or no job.

Station policeman, P. R. R., Broad Street Sta., says same thing and adds that he was never asked to join the relief, but was put there at once before he went to work, pays $1.50 each month. I understand same thing exists on the Philadelphia and Reading R'y.

There is also reports that the P. R. R. runs a double insurance; that is, when they put a new employee into the $500 class they place his risk with some regular insurance company for $1,000; this was mentioned by Conductor Newcomer and also Operator W. H. Gibson, Moores, Pa.

T. E. ELLIS.

Mr. H. B. PERHAM, President,

St. Louis, Mo.

PHILADELPHIA, PA., April 22, 1913.

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: Referring to article 5 in your petition to the Industrial Commission, it is a matter of discussion among some of the employees of the P. R. R. that a large number of the foreigners who enter the service of that company, and, of course are compelled to contribute to the Vol. Relief, do not give their correct names from one reason or another. In case anything happens to these men there is no legal connection whereby the heirs or beneficiaries may recover. It is said the company officials understand this feature. Yours, fraternally, T. E. ELLIS,

General Delivery, Philadelphia, Pa.

PENNSYLVANIA LINES WEST OF PITTSBURGH, INDIANAPOLIS DIVISION, OFFICE OF DIVISION OPERATOR, Columbus, Ohio, May 7, 1914.

Mr. A. H. LANTZ, N. I. Cabin, Ind.

DEAR SIR: Replying to your note of May 1, the company furnishes you the position and pays you the salary, and as they have an insurance for the benefit of employees, they wish all employees to be members of the R. D.

It seems to me it is a mistake for a man not to be a member when he is in the service. Of course, if you can not see it that way, will send you a blank for withdrawal.

Very truly,

J. H. MCALPINE,
Division Operator.

MARCH 18, 1915.

Geo. F. Hoffman, 641 Dauphin Street, Harrisburg, states that he has worked for the P. R. R. for three different times, the last period being for six years.

He was laid off in November, 1913-furloughed-in company terms.

For the first three months after he was furloughed he continued to pay his Volunteer Relief payments of $1.50 a month. The fourth month the company refused his payment, saying that he had been dismissed from the service. They did not return the $4.50 which he had paid after leaving the company service, nor is it their custom to do so in similar incidences.

Mr. Hoffman says that he individually has received as much from the relief as he has put into it, as he was sick for 27 months on a stretch, but his case is typical of the company practice.

To who it concerned:

GEO. F. HOFFMAN.
W. H. PIERCE.

HARRISBURG, PA., March 20, 1915.

This is to certify that I, the undersigned, do hereby state that I was furloughed on March 28, 1914, and that the P. R. R. accepted relief money after the same. I was also dropped from the service about June 15, 1914, and have receipts that the said R. R. Co. accepted relief money for that entire month and did not offer to return to me the surplus. I will also state that I was in the first-class relief.

DAVID MCKEE,

PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD-WORKING CONDITIONS, TELEGRAPHERS

TOWERMEN.

AND

Working conditions are continually going from bad to worse on the railroad. On the Pennsylvania, in the Philadelphia district, it would be hard to picture the exact conditions, for it is almost beyond description to give a truly accurate pen picture.

In speaking of the telegraphers and towermen in the vicinity referred to, it must be said: While conditions in the recent past have been well-nigh unbearable, the company has lately been heaping insult to injury by unceremoniously laying off large numbers of men and closing up offices.

It was rumored that one morning soon after the last lay off as high as 25 telegraphers reported for work at one place and nothing for them to do. The recent lay off is not the first that has occurred this year.

It is beginning to look as if the telautograph may soon be used as an excuse for displacing more men, for these machines are being installed and message business is being diverted through other channels, the object unquestionably points in the direction of further retrenchments.

It is not because the duties of the men in this department have in any way lessened that the company has found an excuse for this reduction, on the other hand the work is continually becoming harder and harder, with no relief in sight; and instead of giving some form of assistance by putting on additional men they are just doing the opposite, and adding unjustifiably to our already tremendous burden.

This burden to which reference is made, and upon which too much emphasis can not be placed, can only be pictured in an illustration of words, and will bring out more clearly the true meaning of this so-called contention relative to working conditions.

The list of physical wrecks, premature deaths, etc., about to be shown, has caused deep sorrow and distress in many homes, from among our associates-passed and present-with whom we have worked shoulder to shoulder, and in behalf of whom we are now registering a protest of words.

The list about to be presented are of men who are, or have been employed in about three or four of the block offices of this little terminal division, and reference is made to the particular individual cases, so that others who follow may benefit.

The following is a partial list of those of the employees affected on this division, and while perhaps in one or two instances may not be shown just as accurately as might be, yet they are given as nearly correct as possible at this time.

The two following sudden deaths occurred, a few brief weeks apart, and early in the present year, 1914:

Faber Sellers, telegraph operator, "A" tower; died suddenly on his return home from work one day in early part of present year. Put in many years service at this office. In prime of life.

William C. Frazier, telegraph operator, "C" tower; died suddenly at his home one day after work early part of present year. See many years' service at this office. He was in the prime of life.

It was perhaps about five years ago that the following death occurred: M. J. Flynn, leverman, "B" tower; died suddenly on his way to work one morning, while in the prime of life; hardly past 47 years; was an old employee; formerly worked at "N."

The following is a list of those more or less seriously affected physically, and presumably directly the result of overwork:

John O'Brien, leverman, "B" tower; physical wreck; has been confined to his home, and absent from work for over a year. Doubt expressed as to his recovery or return to work. Has seen many years' service, and is aged about 45 or 47 years.

William Duffy, leverman, "B" tower; physical and nervous wreck. After being confined to his home for many months he was finally removed to an insane asylum, where he now is. He, also, is over a year away from work, and doubt is expressed if he may again return. He is an old employee, and about 47 or 50 years old.

These are all men of families.

Joseph Uleau, leverman, “N" tower; physical wreck, and has been absent from work for the past 4 or 5 years. Doubt expressed as to his return to duty. Was one-armed man, and having family, being aged about 47 years.

James Hutton, leverman, "N" tower; physical and nervous wreck for about two years. Was absent from work for over a year before returning to duty. Now working over a year. Is an employee of over 30 years' standing, and is about 49 years of age.

Death: Robert McNutt, leverman, "A" tower; physical and nervous wreck, having died in early part of present year after some months' confinement to his home. Was also a telegrapher with same company some years previous.. Was old employee, and aged about 48 years.

Death: Harvey Miller, train director, "N" tower; physical wreck, and said to have died in the almshouse broken hearted. He was an old and faithful employee, and a demotion he received hastened his death about three years ago. He was about 58 or 60 years of age.

The following deaths were undoubtedly hastened because of worry over their work. These men died possibly within the last 3 to 5 years:

Lew Brown, leverman, "K" tower; died at about 55 years old, after brief illness. Old employee.

John Beatty, leverman, "C" tower; died at about 55 years, after extended illness. Was an old employee.

Willard Brown, telegrapher, "B" tower; died at about 50 years, after brief illness. Was an old employee.

Th following victims departed for a premature grave without having hardly reached the age of 50 years, and all died within a year or two apart, and about perhaps ten years ago:

T. O. Gallagher, train director, "A" tower; physical wreck, and died after a brief illness. Without a doubt overwork hastened his premature death, For years he worked this nerve-racking job without any assistance, but soon after his death two assistants were appointed. He was an old employee, and aged about 47 or 48 years.

B. F. Donecker, ex train director, "A" tower; died a suicide, while holding the position of yardmaster at Broad Street Station. Unpleasant surroundings hastened his end and rumor had it that his sudden death was the cause of a threat of demotion. Aged about 48 years.

E. M. Myers, ex train director, "A" tower; died after a short sickness, hastened by the death-dealing grind at "A" soon after his appointment as yardmaster, having been elevated to the position left vacant by death of Donecker. Was old employee. Age about 48.

66

Here is another victim of the dreadful daily rush": M. E. Casey, telegrapher, "JR" office; physical and nervous wreck; absent from work 2 to 3 years, and in bad shape yet. Still confined. to his home. He is an old and faithful employee and in the telegraph department many years. He is aged about 48 or 50.

The following is an additional list of towermen who were seriously affected by this nerve-racking daily drudgery:

I. F. Gill, train director, "A" tower; collapsed from the strain while on duty. After a lay-off period and recuperating he resumed his usual occupation. In service many years, and aged about 47 or 48 years.

L. M. Hatton, ex-train director, "A" tower; became a physical wreck, and after an extended lay-off returned to his work and finally accepted a new position of clerkship to the yardmaster. He has been long in the service, and is aged about 49 or 50 years.

W. J. Wilson, ex-train director, "A" tower; became a physical wreck, and after a great loss of time finally accepted a new position at Washington, D. C., with the new Terminal Co. there. Was about 30 years in the service, and now aged possibly 50 years.

J. K. Osmond, ex-train director, "A" tower; collapsed from the strain while on duty, and after an extended lay-off returned to work in the capacity of leverman, which is a decided demotion. He has been many years in the service, and is aged possibly 46 or perhaps less.

W. G. Cox, train director, "N" tower; became a physical wreck. His condition was aided none by the foul atmosphere from the large engine yard close by, besides the acid fumes from electric batteries located in cellar of building. After much loss of time he finally got located at "B" tower, same occupation. Has been long in service, and is aged about 48 years.

Wm. J. Wilson, electrician, "N" tower; became a physical wreck and resigned his position to get away from the unbearable surroundings. The foul atmospheres here also were anything but favorable to his condition. He had lost much time through sickness and was forced to this action in the interest of his health. He was an old employee, and about two years ago, when he resigned, he was about 50 years old.

Chris. Shread, electrician, "N" tower; became a physical wreck, and is at present confined in a sanitarium. He is away from work for the past six months or more. He, with others who were affected, frequently found cause for complaint over conditions and the filthy, unbearable atmosphere. Aged about 47. Worked 12 hours. No vacation. He was old employee. He filled position vacated by Wilson, who also worked 12 hours and no vacation.

The following is a list of men who were forced to free themselves from their jobs rather than submit to continual injustice and the unbearable surroundings: D. C. Dickson, train director, "A" tower; relinquished his position and accepted a demotion at another office as block operator to be relieved from the

tremendous responsibilities. Is an old employee, very steady, and aged about 48 or 50 years.

C. D. Richards, train director, "A" tower; resigned his position about five years ago. Old and steady employee. About 45.

J. W. Richman, train director, "A" tower; resigned position couple years ago. Old and steady employee. Aged about 35.

Elmer Derr, day operator, "N" tower; relinquished his day job for a night office at another end of the district (no promotion) to be away from the "grind", the abusive tactics of those in authority, and the unhealthy surroundings. Old employee, and aged about 35 years.

This is just a few individual cases picked up hurriedly from the terminal division and noted here. Many other such cases may be traced by a more careful investigation. All the above information is simply presented to clearly define as briefly as possible the intolerable conditions under which the men here are forced to put up with.

The greatest number of cases referred to is confined to practically the last five years, with perhaps just a few running as far back as 10 years.

Previous to 10 years ago such occurrences as described were of very, very rare existence. Collapses and breakdowns were not then known and deaths in this department seldom happened. It is clearly seen by this that there is something wrong, and something is radically wrong.

It is a fact that most all of these men referred to had some experience with organization at one time and know of its advantages, but unfortunately at the present time a very small percentage of them are affiliated with the labor movement.

This is the secret of their trouble, and had these poor unfortunate human derelicts not abandoned their organization as they did there would not have been such a sad story to tell.

This subject matter is not being presented from any selfish motives, nor is it appealing for any action in behalf of the afflicted ones; on the contrary, it is purely presented as a lesson in the advantages of organization.

This does not infer, of course, that we wish these unfortunates any further bad luck; far from it, for it is only natural that we sympathize with them, but after all there is little to be accomplished by sympathy; therefore we are compelled to direct our activities more and more earnestly in the direction of organization.

The men who have been lucky enough to continue at work and who have not yet been stricken down in their tracks are surely beginning to show "the worse of the wear." They are beginning to show that worn-out appearance, and numbers of them are becoming very nervous, and this is plainly visible in their daily makeup. It is remarkable, indeed, that they have not been driven to drink.

Speaking of retrenchments, this may be justified to perhaps some degree on the railroad, but absolutely not amid the rank and file, where the lash is falling and where all the useful and laborious work is done. Higher up there is lots of opportunity for exterminating waste. This is the sort of waste that undoubtedly was referred to when the railroads were urged to reduce their operating expenses. A little investigation is all that is necessary.

At several of the block offices on this Philadelphia Terminal Division and where hundreds of trains are handled daily, there are no levermen employed. although they are equipped with the electric-pneumatic interlocking, and the telegrapher has to do all of this work, handling the switches and signals.

Some of these offices control subway and tunnel trains and make movements on their respective sections controlling trains running on from three to five divisions of railway.

(1) One morning recently a telegrapher reported off sick who had worked one of these offices where tunnel, subway, and surface trains were operated. No experienced man was available for his place. A telegrapher was sent to this office who was not familiar with the work. To overcome this great difficulty the 12-hour electrician on duty down stairs was called up to help out and requested to operate the levers for balance of the day, which he did.

(2) At a similar office close by and where the night leverman's services were dispensed with not long since, the day leverman failed to report until late in the day, and consequently the telegrapher on duty was forced to handle the enormous business single handed during the busy hours of the morning.

During the busy season, in the summer months, when the vacation list is in operation, at these offices the greater portion of the men work from 30 to 40