Regarding the motives actuating the organization of the American Railway Union Mr. Howard denied that it was to destroy the old organizations but because they no longer fulfilled the necessities of the situation. If the old brotherhoods could get together amicably there would be no need of the American Railway Union, but they never can. There are two many causes for jealousy, for instance: There are 10,000 locomotive engineers who are not in the B. of L. E. but are members of the B. of L. F. In case of a grievance the engineers are divided and are represented by two organizations. The Brotherhood of Trainmen contains men who have been promoted to conductors causing a friction between these two orders.
Mr. Wright: "Then the sole purpose of the American Railway Union in taking the action it did was to oppose the Pullman company and it was not actuated by any desire to injure the other railway organizations?"
Mr. Howard: "That is it exactly. After the action taken by the General Managers' Association we had to act as we did or lie down."
Mr. Wright: "Did the officers of the American Railway Union advise the men on roads other than those using Pullmans to go on strike?"
Mr. Howard: "The men on all roads represented by the General Managers' Association were advised to go out on strike."
Mr. Kernan: "Was this order extended to roads not using Pullman cars or which were not represented in the General Managers' Association?"
Mr. Howard: "No, sir."
Mr. Kernan: "Were there any such road?"
Mr. Howard: "Yes. General Manager Clark, of the Mobile & Ohio, sent us word that his road would drop the Pullman service if the men would continue at work. We advised the men to return to work under those conditions, but the men at St. Louis argued that such action would weaken their cause and refused to take our advice in the matter."
Mr. Worthingford: "How did you advise all other organizations to go on a sympathetic strike?"