Guide to the Brotherhood Of Railroad Signalmen, General Committee Of The New York Central Railroad (Lines West), Chairman's Files,
1909-1962 [bulk 1931-1962]

William Doble was born October 25, 1904, in Exeter, Devon, England. He immigrated to the U.S. and found employment in the railroad industry. Doble was a member of the Blue Mason Lodge and the OPA Advisory Committee.

Doble joined the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalman of America in 1924. With only an elementary school education he rose through the ranks to the position of chief signalman and ultimately became General Chairman of the Brotherhood, for New York Central, Lines West. His jurisdiction extended to local unions of the Big Four, the Michigan Central Railroad, the New York Central Railroad, the Peoria and Eastern Railway, and, Foreman and Inspector of the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad. He served in the office of General Chairman from 1931 to 1962 (as far as could be discerned from the collection). From his desk in Ferndale, Michigan, he handled grievances and channeled labor-management relations. Doble functioned as the coordinator of subordinate locals' activities, grievance claims, and disputes concerning conditions of employment.

The railroad signal department performs the vital functions of expediting and controlling traffic while maintaining safe conditions. It represents one of the most responsible and sensitive units of the entire railroad system. Signalmen are directly Involved with expanding the mileage of protected track, and modernizing existing railroad plants. Their activities necessitate smooth coordination with other units of the system to insure maximum safety and efficiency.

The original order of the files has been maintained wherever possible. The numbers are not always consecutive due to missing files.

The collection consists of Doble's personal and professional files. It is largely composed of agreements and correspondence between union officials and local members and grievance chairmen, N.R.A.B. cases and other pertinent to railroading in general and to signalmen. Overall, the files reveal the process and function of the union hierarchy and general principles of union organization. The contents make evident certain achievements and benefits for the workers and the industry which have contributed to the fostering of harmonious Industrial relations.

Materials on the St. Lawrence Seaway Project (1941-1952) include press releases; letters regarding opposition of railroad labor to the St. Lawrence Seaway Project (1952); circulars from Tom J. McGrath (executive director, National St. Lawrence Project Conference, a nationwide organization in opposition to the St. Lawrence Seaway Project); and papers and publications on the proposed project and its effects.

Also included are a report of the proceedings of the General System Committee meetings of the New York Central lines; by-laws of the General Committee of the New York Central Railroad (Lines West) of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) (1931); amalgamation of various lines of the New York Central system (1931); proposed by-laws and general rules of the General Grievance Committee of New York Central lines, BRS; minutes of meetings of New York Central lines (1927); reports of the secretary-treasurer, New York Central (Lines West) (1929-1960); financial statements of the General System Committee (1933-1952); minutes of meetings of the general chairman and BRS officers (1944-1960); conference (with by-laws) for the formation of a co-operative association of general chairmen representing the standard railroad labor organizations on the New York Central system lines (1932); circular letters (1952-1956) from the office of General Chairman Doble regarding protection of men working on highway crossings (1953); union shop operations (1956); recall of men laid off during the steel strike; and reports of Doble (1934-1946).

Other matters include the question of whether Canadian employees working for the Michigan Central Railroad in Canada are subject to the provisions of railroad unemployment insurance (1938); settlement of work claims (1954-1955); letters regarding BRS conducting an organizing campaign among signal department employees on the New York Central system and its request to represent signal foremen and inspectors; files on organizing by the American Railway Supervisors' Association; minutes of general chairmen and local chairmen of the New York Central System (1929); and decisions of the 40-Hour Week Committee on revision of make-up time rules, traveling time, starting time, Sunday and holiday pay, day's work and overtime, reduction in force rules, stand-by rules, bulletin rules, and shift rules.

Materials on overtime and consolidations (1930-1961) include letters regarding Council Order No. 8682 declaring six holidays per year for the duration of World War II (1942); a strike of locomotive engineers, firemen and conductors on the New York Central system (Lines West), Michigan Central railroad, and the Big Four Railroads (1952); rights of promoted men when their positions are abolished (1952); and participation in the joint 1961 wage and rules movement for a general wage increase; numerous other routine matters regarding individual grievances, clauses in contracts and government regulations.

Additional materials (1936-1958) include letters regarding work week, equal distribution of employment, an official strike ballot regarding wage requests of 1942; Railway Labor Executives' Association resolution, statements, and reports dealing with employment of war prisoners on the railroads (1942); correspondence regarding the Pennsylvania-New York Central Railroad merger (1962); record books of BRS expenses (1937-1952); a memorandum relating to "certain" Chinese railway engineers training for railroad service (1944); and New York Central lines regulations and requirements governing employee physical examinations and re-examinations upon promotion (1933-1948); apprenticeship training in the signal department (1947-1956); regulations governing the issuance of free or reduced rate transportation (1942); a record book (1936) of BRS Grand Lodge dues for various locals (1936); and minutes and proceedings of the 1958 BRS convention.

The significant correspondence in this accession was generated by Doble, and by C.K. Fields (vice-president, legislative representative), J.M. Pattee (general chairman); W.E. Aurand (general secretary-treasurer), A.E. Lyon (grand president), D.W. Helt (grand president) Jesse Clark (president) and local officers of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen. Other correspondents include officers and employees of the Association of General Chairmen, New York Central; the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes; the Michigan Central Railroad; the New York Central Railroad; the Peoria and Eastern Railroad; and the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad.