must have often felt like complimenting him on the happy manner in which he did his work.

But notwithstanding all this, it has often occurred to me that there was much he might have told, that was consciously or it may be unconsciously held back. It may be that knowing the keenness of his satire he hesitated to use it in its fulness, any way it is evident he sought to spare where he should have exposed without hesitancy. For it is now proven that we have wasted much good will on the powers that be, and have been met in return with nothing but ingratitude, intimidation, lying, and double dealing, and right here let me state that I will be troubled with no false sense of propriety nor will I "love the evil doer" but intend to speak the truth and speak it fully. It may not be in as subtle phrase as my friend's nor drawn in colors so bright. But it will be truth without varnish fear or favor, and now to my letter.

The month past has been a month of accidents and disaster generally, wrecks have been the order of the day, the most serious was the one that occurred in the yard here because it resulted in the loss of two lives and the injury of two others. The limited going west at a high rate of speed was being pulled by a double header, the head engine being managed by Barney McDonald, the second by William Coleman. Upon nearing the east switch the engineer was signalled to stop and immediately applied the brakes and answered the signal, at the same moment noticed that the switch was open, and had just time to jump before the train crashed into a freight train standing on the side track, It was learned afterwards that the signal was given to stop to prevent a collision with a train standing on the main track five hundred yards off, no thought being given to the open switch near at hand, the result was the death of the engineer on the second engine, and the injury of both fireman. As before stated the engineer on the forward engine saw the danger just in time to jump and was saved by a scratch. The sorrow was marked and general over the loss of so bright and promising a young man as William Coleman. He was highly respected by all who knew him. His death was the result of rascality. It being well known that North Platte and Sidney are what are considered scab points for switchmen the pay being from ten to fifteen dollars per month less than at points east or west, thus making it impossible to get competent men for the work, this is we believe due to the incapables in charge here who by such methods are seeking to make a record for themselves for doing things cheap.

The second death was that of an engineer who was riding as a deadhead, the poor fellow being unable to jump in time to save himself. The two wounded fireman are doing nicely. Thus it is that valuable lives are lost and property destroyed by trying to evade the paltry payment of a couple of good men's wages. But trying to make one man do two men's work is proven by this accident to be a costly experiment. The funeral of Mr- Coleman was the largest ever seen here. The orders of A. O. U. W. Firemen's and Brakeman's Brotherhood, attending in force.

mountain and plain. The same old familiar sound of reduce! reduce! The echo is, ruined homes, want, misery, suffering, men owning little homes and obliged to give them up and travel hundreds and in many cases thousands of miles before striking a town where men of their calling are employed. This fact of the isolation of men on this road and the distance they were obliged to travel in search of employment was known and commented on by President Adams when he came on the road, and he faithfully promised protection to his employees from frequent disturbance.

It oc

Patterson and his man "Friday" otherwise known as "Reddy Singleton," the Fox and other pet aliases got an awful send off by a pet they hired here by the name ol Jack Roberts, a machinist, said to belong to the Machinist union. he saw a good opening to get a foremanship, so curred this way: Jack being hired here thought got a lay off and quietly slipped down to Omaha and sought out Mr. Hovey and poured his tale of that he saw there was good material here if it was woe into that gentleman's ear it was to the effect rightly handled and modestly intimated that Patterson nor "Reddy," had the necessary papers to show their ability to handle the men here, and intimated further that he Jacky Roberts was possessed of just the qualities needed. To make his claims good, garnished his tale with a few choice lies about time taken by some men to do certain jobs which on examination proved that Jackey was just about twenty-three hours out of the twentyfour out on his arithmetic. This proof on being manship was concerned. Just about this stage of furnished cooked Jackeys goose so far as a forethe proceedings we were put onto Jackeys racket, and a committee, the number I do not care to boarded the train that evening, but Jackey; was mention, decided to interview Jackey before he too foxy for them, he had expressed his trunk and skipped by some freight train, and lucky it was for him for if he had been interviewed the chances are that Mr. Jack Roberts would have been to-day a dead loss to the science of lying, and shop management. We only hope the boys will be smarter at catching him the next place he goes. As for us we all feel as if we had let Omaha's team beat us at a game of ball. And as for Patterson and the Fox they feel that they have had a narrow escape, and have Hunter and dog like started on the trail again with the chances next time of raising a bear instead of a skunk, which if they succeed in doing in the next hunt they will take the "major" along will furnish material for another letter. We trust to carry the game. Until we meet again I am very truly yours for right. "CLIO."

Editor Magazine:

DENVER, COLO., June 28, 1890.

tiug out the July issue I will have time for a short As you inform me that because of delay in getletter I will start it by stating that the reduction month, I would estimate that about 200 in the two order struck the shops here heavily the present shops were laid off and as far us heard with little cause to complain of discrimination. Still it would seem like a more sensible move to have reduced the hours sufficiently to have kept all at work. Since the lay off many of those remaining have been asked to work over-time. This is not only unjust but seems like a foolish move from an economic point of view at least. Men cannot do as much on night work as day, and they are paid more for it.

work to be done whenever the company gets ready Things are generally quiet. There is plenty of to do it. If not done now it will have to be sometime if locomotives run.

opening meeting of 3218 July 9. Preparations are being made here for a grand time July 4. The ceremony of laying the corner stone of the Capitol will be among the attractions.

The Glee Club will entertain the audience at the

The Union Pacific officials one and all must be on the anxious seat over the many rapid changes in officials that are being made. The rank and file have nothing to worry about in such matters but it has any thing but the effect of creating con

Again the Pibroch is sounding o'er valley o'er fidence in the management.

TIM.

UNION PACIFIC

EMPLOYES' MAGAZINE.

VOL. V.

AUGUST, 1890.

No. 7.

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS AS CIVILIZERS. relationship to each other, be prevented. They feared that someThe human race, even in nations thing might be taken from them, rated as highly civilized, are as not considering that there was compared to what it should be and enough in the world for all the is possible, barbarians yet. Civili- selfishness the great curse of huzations means a closer relation- manity. ship in the human family, by it an This has shown itself in numincrease of the necessities joys erous grades. The royal families and pleasures of life and the se- claiming the highest grade and curing of these with less exertion. effectively, for a long period, beThis has resulted in proportion as cause of the superstition that uniour civilization has advanced-as versal ignorance created, backed man learns to work hand in hand their claim by advancing divine with man, therefore that which authority. Imitating them the tends to bring men to a better rest classified themselves into knowledge of each other aids civili- grades and by birth perpetuating zation. It is the boon to be sought the caste state. A condition that encouraged and extended, its exist- made human advance impossible. ence cherished from generation to generation.

It was only when doubt of the authority of the royal claim dawned on the mind that hope dawned on humanity. Doubt passed through the scale of castes. Mankind in each grade discussed it, became convinced of the error, sought means to correct the evil they discovered. A union of effort being necessary, organization for a com-、 mon purpose resulted, old traditions have been hammered down, civilization has advanced. Some results are seen and enjoyed to-day.

It is only that part of humanity, but the major part, that are considered on the lower scale, whose struggle for existence means a continual struggle, who enjoy but little of what the brain of man has discovered, that have the incentive to gain more. In all degrees of civilization there have been those who enjoyed all that the world had to offer in their day and generation. They have been the satisfied element. They have never It is to the lower grade that we done anything directly to improve owe all that humanity has gained others. It has always been their the toiling or oppressed parts of policy to check discontent among humanity. It is the organization those who are worse off then they, of labor in some form that have to prevent them uniting in their been the civilizers. Their work own half, of meeting together that is not done, it is only begun. The the first step of human advance, a present study should be how to better knowledge of and a closer make their mission more effective.

It is seen that the class strata because of the lack of knowledge have had to be broken through- of each other, those who do reap the king was no better nor had because of this encourage it. The more rights over others; the em- head of a great labor organization ployer has no rights that give him promulgates the doctrine that each advantage over any other being, should mind his own business the master over a slave; the kind and this is endorsed by the head of labor one performs an increase of a great employers organization. or decrease of rights; that no one He knows that the benefits to him or many has a right to the exclu- from present conditions are safe so sive performance of any duty in long as that doctrine stands in life nor deny others the right to force. It is because of a declared perform it. The contrary existence perpetual warfare against that of any of these conditions does not doctrine and its corollary beliefs advance civilization. The foster- that the Knights of Labor are so ing of any part of them in any de- thoroughly hated and feared by gree retards advance. All parts the breeders of aristocratic condiof humanity must be made to stand tions. It is evident that if all had on a common level and must be so minded their own business, which recognized in the minds of each, as here used means the looking consequently that must be inau- out for number one, there would gurated that will do the most pos- have been no such advance in civsible to increase the knowledge of ilization as is now seen. The king each other necessary for each to did not believe the people were conceed equal rights to each other. minding their own business when Organization for class advance- they united and pulled him from ment does not do this but tends the throne.

to hold conditions in its present The head of a labor organization state. It does not increase that will always advocate that doctrine which is necessary the working so long as the component parts of of man hand in hand. There must the organization believe it is right be introduced that which will bring or do not know that it is acting classes together thus breaking down their existence. The agitation for the extension of rights, of the present generation is but as a day of the world. While it must practically meet the events of the day it must be on a route that has the reaching of the highest ideals of the future in view.

against their own best interests, and they will always believe this till they learn that their rights are but the common rights of all, and they will only learn that by discussion of these questions with others.

An awakening in this direction is being seen. Classes are talking of joining issues, federating forces The practical workings of or- for the common purposes, but it ganization under the agitation of is impossible to cause this so long the present generation has demon- as that which will only make it strated that the clashing of classes possible to come together for efhas prevented the accomplishment fective good a knowledge of each of an immediate practical neces- other does not exist. What labor sity. While the rights of actual organizations advance is an adproducers the laborers of the world are being gradually conceeded they have been prevented from reaping the full benefits because of this clashing, and the clashing has been made possible

vance in civilization. Civilization cannot advance without all advance which means that there has been created a closer union of humanity.

It is only discontent that creates the force that pushes civilization

onward. It is organization of the cars. Reports on the conditions discontented that makes it effec- of railroads show they have been tive-it is the civilizer. Every doing a big business, and net readvance in civilization means the ceipts show an increase over other breaking down of a tradition or years. condition that holds one part of The Union Pacific with a twenhumanity more exalted then ty-five per cent. reduction in shop another. In time it means the forces have their repair tracks destruction of all of those condi- filled with bad order cars. Since tions and traditions, but if there is the first week of the reduction no intermingling and humanity foremen have had to work the men congregate in classes, distinguish- more or less over-time, and the ed by the labor performed or rela- amount thus added to the pay tive position held in life the good rolls would have probably not ineffective of organization is retard- creased if the men discharged had ed. It creates class hatred. been kept at work. Where a savChina has to-day, undoubtedly ing is made by such management the most thorough organization of is hard for the average man to imclasses for the benefit of class of agine, on the face of it would apany nation. Even the beggars pear as if a loss is incured. The have a union. One acts to check running repairs on engines are as the other and there has been seen great now as any time. Division no improvements among them for M. M.'s are compelled to let necages. Such organization was com- essary work go undone and the mon in Egyptian, Grecian and proverbial, stitch in time costs the Roman civilization, even in the nine in the near future, when, as period known as the dark ages it has always followed such reducexisted and did nothing to enlight- tions, men are called on to work en the world, nor will there be night and day to keep engines and with us until the crust of classes is cars running at all, and then under destroyed. This can come only the disadvantage coupled with thus through federation of all creating rushing work, when anything is interchange of thought a knowl- made to do, when the days are edge of each other, thus improving short lamps must be used and humanity that improved condi- work carried on under the poorer tions of humanity may be made ventilation. When reductions are possible to exist.

REDUCTIONS.

made there is no reduction in that small army of bosses, the number and their time goes on the same. They are fortunate and no one need begrudge them their good fortune, but still those less able to stand it have that much added to their load.

Reductions in the force of shop employes appears to be epidemic with western railroads. During the past two months there is hard- Private industries are never carly a western railroad of importance ried on that way. While the averthat has not discharged or laid off age earnings for a month or two men and reduced the working may show larger, the average for time. The heavy passenger and the year shows less, it is the latter freight traffic does not indicate that the stockholders are the most that there was a need of this. En- interested in. Such management gine and trainmen are working all injures the interests of employes. the time possible. Shippers com- The labor expense bill shows large plain of not being supplied with figures in some months by men

while in that state to consider their relations with any one else, and in solving such questions of mutual interest as arise between employer and employee all sides have to be considered and studied. If present outgoes were not increased and income increased while an increase be given employes the companies should certainly be satisfied. If there were better confidential relations established beteen the real employer as represented by the directors and the employes such a result would be had and spasmodic reductions entirely avoided.

having worked night and day, the the real employer's representatives, monthly pay appears large. When the directors, and discussing such reductions in expenses are talked questions as are economically of of, why not cut these figures down mutual interest would do much to is asked. "We cannot afford to pay improve matters, would give the such wages as are shown here." It directors many pointers as well as is the months total not the amount employes, and could result in per day or hour that attracts at- nothing but good. It is only ortention or the average for a year. ganized men that would be of any Again the comparative cost of value in such matters for they have work done on the feast and famine, a mutual purpose in view, with rush or do nothing plan appears unorganized men it is only immehigh. The smaller comparative diate personal wants that are in output and extra cost from men view, and they are so wrapped up in working nights and day accounts self that it is utterly impossible for this. It reacts on all concerned. Men have not felt as well nor enjoyed life as well nor averaged any high returns for their labor, there has been a great waste, still it has been the plan pursued by every management the Union Pacific has ever had. There may have been good reasons why, that have not appeared generally, but if it is a financial reason it is certainly a heavily expensive one. If it is to cut down the outgo for a month or two to save borrowing money, it must be an excessive rate of interests that is avoided. If it is to create a glut on the labor market when some one wants to reduce wages it may be partially successful but not permanently and would be one of the best arguments in the world why working time should be permanently reduced and proof that any railroad company can permanently reduce the working time to eight per day or less by employing regularly a larger force of men. Arguments have been advanced against a shorter work day for railroad shops that the work would not admit of it, but if it will for a month it will for more.

RAILROAD BRANCHES Y. M. C. A.

Some time ago Cornelius Vanderbilt caused to be erected on property of the N. Y. C. & H. R. railway in New York city, and convenient for the employes of that company, a building with library, reading, bath rooms, gymnasium, lecture room, and etc., for their exclusive use, and placed under the auspices of the railroad branch of the Y. M. C. A.

He has received much credit for his liberality. The establishment Organizations of employes had of such conveniences for workingought to help the company employ- men it has been prophesied would ing them out of the difficulty they prove the most effective means of appear to have in knowing how to checking the tendency among them equalize things. We believe that of coming together in labor organrepresentatives from them meeting izations or in other words they