The total number of lodges making replies to the questions was 45. They came from 36 cities and towns in 8 different States, and represent 4,031 members. According to the answers received to question 1, 96 per cent say that membership in the relief department is considered by the employees to be compulsory. In answer to question 2, 78 per cent say that men who seek employment do not receive it if they do not make application for membership in the relief department. In answer to question 3, 94 per cent say the blank application for membership in the relief department is handed to the new employee without solicitation on his part. In answer to question 4, 83 per cent say that the actions of the company's representatives are such as to make him believe that the filling out of this blank by him is necessary to secure employment. In answer to question 5, 85 per cent say that employees who are already in the service and not members of the relief department are coerced or intimidated into joining it. The answers to question 6 show the numerous coercive tactics employed by the company to get the employees to join the relief department. Couple these to the statement made by a railroad manager to Prof. E. R. Johnson, "That he did not care whether it was compulsory to join the association or not, for the reason that the indirect pressure that the corporation could bring to bear would accomplish the same result," and I think it clearly proves that the employees are required to join these associations against their will. (For statement of railroad manager here referred to, see Hearings before Industrial Commission on Transportation, p. 57.) In answer to question 7, 97 per cent say that the amount paid into the relief fund by the employees is not a voluntary contribution, but that they are required by the company to pay it. In answer to question 8, 100 per cent say that they think membership in the relief department has a tendency to keep members out of labor organizations on account of their being unable to pay the dues in both. In answer to question 9, 57 per cent say that members of the relief department are granted special privileges over those who are not members. In answer to question 10, 100 per cent say that they do not consider it fair that upon receiving benefits from the relief department they should be required to release the company from responsibility for injury. In answer to question 11, 92 per cent say that they agree with the opinion that the prime objects of railroad companies in operating relief departments are to deprive the employees of the right to recover for injury and alienate their interests from our brotherhoods. The following table shows the result of the answers of the employees of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to the questions: |