The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-03-08
STRIKE ITEMS.
CHIEF AUTHUR CALLS A NEETI,


CHICAGO, March "A most impor-
tant move was made to-day by Chief
Arthur in the strike. The following
telegram was sent each chairman of the
general grievance committees of the
Brotherhood of Engineers and Firemen
on the following lines of railroads,
viz: Chicago s Alton; Chicago s.
Northwestern; Chicago, Rock Island &
Pacific; Wabash Railway; Wabash
s. Western, Missouri Pacific, Union
Pacific, Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
and Wisconsin Central:
DEAR SIR AND BROTHER:-You are
hereby authorized and ordered to come
to the city of Chicago at once and re-
port at the headquarters. There are
many important matters to consider in
connection with the Chicago, Burling-
ton s. Quincy strike, and your imme-
diate presence is imperative. Be pre-
pared to convene your committee from
here at moments notice. (Signedl
P. NJ. ARTHUR, G. G. E.
F. P. SARGENT, G. NJ.
sWhat does this mean." was asked
of Grand Master Sargent.
1T means that we are here to stay.
I cannot tell you what move is con-
templated until after the cha1rmen
arrive"
EsHas it reference to the alleged sell
ling of tickets over connecting lines?"
mo; so you can draw your own
conclusions"
It was determined by the heads of the
Brotherhood to-day to hold mass
meeting at battery ''D'' on Monday
night. 1t will be addressed by Chief
Arthur and other prominent leaders.
We want to have everybody come,
said Chief Arthur, so that the public
may Judge for themselves, our posi-
ton. We will have no long speeches,
but our leaders will present facts
tersely.
ARTHUR STATES THE POINT AT ISSUE.
CHICAGO, March 2:-Chief Engineer
P. NJ. Arthur tonight gave to the
press the following concerning the
position of the Brotherhood OF En-
gineers and Firemen as to their pres
emit attitude towards the Chicago
Burlington s. Quincy railroad:
sit will not do to assume that the
EMPLOYEES of the railroad company are
responsible to the public for the pres
emit condition of affairs of the Chicago.
Burlington s. Quincy railroad. They,
the employees, have a legal and
moral right to place value on their
| labor, and if the company can not, or
will not pay it, the employees are per-
fectly justified in refusing to work. No
one with the least conception of justice
will deny this proposition. There is no
pretense that the strikers haYe used
any means except moral suasionS to
prevent those who desire to work for
| the Burlington from following their
| inclination. The striking employees
are extremely anxious that in the con-
| troYersY they may be sustained by
| the influence of public opinion and
they have carefully refrained from do
| ing anything that would Justify public
cerSure and are determined that while
| they will resort to every honorable
method to compel the railway company
| to pay them a just remuneration fol-
their services, that they will do moth
ing that may bring rerroach upon them
or the organization they represent.
The men are striking not to compel the
railway company to pay them
for services they do not perform, mol
is it to compel the company to accept
blind men to run the engines. Neither
do the men demand that the company
shall furnish free passes for theil
wives, their cousins and their aunts
The main issue is the question Of
wages. Shall the Chicago, Burlington
wages for the same work that il
paid by the Chicago & Alton
the Chicago s. Northwestern
the Milwaukee s. St. Paul, and nine
ty per cent in mileage Of all the rail
ways in the United States? This i
the main question, and in fact almos
the only question at issue between tn
| parties to the controversy. For in
stance, the Burlington people pay 70
hauling train from Chicago to Strea
tor, to return distance of I20 miles
, for engineers of the third grade
! $3.50; secoud grade, 1910; frs
: grade, 1855. The Chicago s. Alto
I and other roads pay for tie same SCI
: vice all engineers alike, 1920; or So pc
cent more than the Burlington.
Fireman on the Chicago s. Alton an
: other roads get about the same pay a
? an engineer of the third grade on til
q Chicago Burlington & Quincy.
: there anything fair in this; have nc
8 the men right to refuse to wor
5 on such terms? The rate
. wages quoted is not an isoli
ted case, but is taken frOl
the first page of the schedule of wage
in the pamphlet recently sent out by Ct
Chicago, Burlington g. Quincy people. i
}, an evidence of their fair treatment
/, their employees. The principle OF gra
!. ing the men according TO years of Sc
vice as engineers adopted by the 80
and for which they argue with SUI
10 veh6mence. is Illogical and unjust, al
re If it were possible TO get at it, Wou
D. be so pronounced by court of equit
le Under that system a man serv
! from three TO ave years as 2 frema