The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1877-07-31
CHAs kEEGAN,
WILLARD FANCIER.
Committee.
RAILWAY MATTERS.
A Talk With Local Celebrities
Views and Opinions Of the Men
The Railroad Meeting in the
Court House A Threatened
Strike on the H., X. ct.

The Railroad Meeting in the
Court House A Threatened
Strike on the H., X. d T.
Yesterday afternoon and last night there
was meeting OF railroad men at the
Court house in this city, to take into con-
>ideration matters affecting the interests oi
employees. The meeting was held with
closed doors, and no reporters were admit
ed But in conversation with parties who
were apparently we'll advised about what
was going ON, n representative Of the RAzoo
ascertained that they adopted as the
BASIS OF THEIR ACTION,
the resolutions III the Missouri Pacific
operators in St. Louis. Shortly after the
adjournment OF the meeting in the after
noon, the BAzoc published the announce
ment that the Missouri Pacific company
had acceeded to the demands Of Its en-
ployees, by restoring
THE RATE OF WAGES
which were given prior to last January.
This apparently gave satisfaction, and il
Is understood that the meeting testified its
willingness to acquiesce in that arrange
ment. While this rate il lower than q
great many are willing to accept, the
argument will have the merit OF avoiding
trouble which both sides 80 much deplore.
The employees profess to be always willing
MAKE CONCESSIONS
when they see similar willingness mani
tested by the companies. In conversation
with number Of railroad men today, the
BAzoO learned that while sympathizing
with their brethren in the East they regret
a. much as anybody that such unfortunate
complications have arisen. They do not
think the railroad men are to blame; but
look upon il as the natural sequence OF the
stubborn determination Of tie companies
10 force their men tn
WORK FOR NOTHING.
Both in this state and elsewhere wages had
been cut down to . point where the cost
Of living was absolutely more than the
results Of their labor. The sums tina: they
were getting would not purchase for them
the indispensable necessities Of life. In
this condition they had no alternative bu,
to strike their existence depended upon it.
A great many of the men look upon these
complications as the legitimate result of
the
ABUNDANCE or LABOR
and the mistaken belief OF railroad officials
that when industry is glu,ted, the price Of
labor should come down to starvation prices
In the mean time the revenues Of the roads
have been in no wise diminished and the
ability to pay reasonable wages has not
been lessened. AZ the recent rate Of reluc-
ton the men would eventually be cOmpell-
ed to work for nothing and find themselves.
There is also an impression among many
that the Companies are always seeking to
EDUCATE PUBLIC OPINION,
up to their side Of the question. They sub
sidise the press, and get employers Of every
grade and condition in life to side with
them. In this way the real grievances Of
the working men are only known save as
they are filtered through individual opin.
ion. When any great convulsion similar ia
that which is now going on occurs com
mnnities awake to the conviction that the
laborers are demons, Who are converting
society into pandemonium. When in fact
they are only long suffering and abused met
who are making manly effort to regain
their rights.
There were
RCMORs OF A STRIKE
on the NJ. X. & T. this morning, but they
could be traced to no definite source. One
thing, however, is evident the men are
watching the course Of events with absorb
ing interest, and it will surprise no one il
they, TOO, conclude to join the vast caravan
OF strikers. Public expectation is on tip
toe, and any hour may bring forth startling
results.
LATER THE STRIKE BEGUN.
At IL o'clock the strike begun on the NJ
X. 4 T. road. Two freight trains which
were getting ready to move out oi,he depot
we're stopped BY the men. The official,
we're then informed that the employee,
would strike for their back pay-not an in
crease Of wages They claim that twt
months wages are due them.
THE MEMS STATEMENT.
At one o'clock a reporter Of the BAzo,
visited the NJ. X l. T. depot. and learnes
from conversation With the men, the sub
Joined reasons Tor the strike:
A meeting va held in the Machine shop
shout II o'clock to-day, and the Superin
tendent Of the road and other officials wer
present. Col. A. ID. Jaynes addressed tn
men, and asked them what terms they de
sired, aid Il possible the rosd would acced
to them; that they appointed a coumitte
70 draft resolutions, and present them Z
The Management Of The road, and that the.
should have IN ansser - soon - the,