, 1889-06-22
WILL THEY STRIKE?
Trouble With Union Pacific Engi-
neers Threatened.
They Give the Officials to This
Evening Only to Answer.
If There Is a Strike 1t Will Be a
ParaIizing Walk Out.

The controversy between the officials of
the Union Pacific and the grievance com-
mistee OF the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers over the schedule of wages to
apply on the Kansas Central has grown
exciting, says the Omaha Bee, and unless
the demand Of the engineers for the res
t~oration of the former schedule is soon
granted, a general walk out may follow at
all points on the line. Yesterday fore
noon the committee conferred with the
officials and General Manager Kimball
requested that a board of arbitration be
appointed, the said board to be allowed
to settle the matter. The engineers said
they had no question to arbitrate and that
two wrongs would not make a right. Mr..
Kimball urged that the matter be settled
In this city and suggested that the board
be of three members, one to be appointed
by the Union Pacific, one by the commit
tee, and the two men selected to choose
the third. Though dissatisfied, the engi-
neers adjourned to the Arcade hotel,
where they assembled to again discuss the
arbitration plan.
All the members of the committee re-
manned firm on the one point, that there
was nothing that the engineers had to ar
bitrate, and this time made their decision
against arbitration final. Accordingly, a
sub committee was appointed for the
purpose of notifying Mr.. Kimball. This
committee waited upon him at 4:30
o'clock Yesterday afternoon. The general
manager then informed them that he had
no authority to go further, but assured
them hat he would communicate with
his superiors. According he dispatched
a telegram TO Vice President Holcombe,
who is Portland. Ore, asking for further
instructions and notifying HIM that the
engineers had positively refused to arbi-
trate. He informed the latter that he
would do his utmost toward reaching a
settlement by this evening.
Your answer must come by that time
and must be a positive yes or no." said
one of the committee. 81 think" he
said, that this has dragged along about
far enough. We admit that such things
cannot be done in a moments time, but
we feel as if our l%eniency had been abused,
and unless you give Us an answer by to-
morrow evening we will take the matter
in our own hands,"
The general manager was hen left to
mediate on the situation. Last night it
was learned that the engineers, in case a
decision is not reached to day. will call
upon Chief Arthur to order the men out,
and that a general walk-out will immedi-
ately follow his mandate.
Another important issue in connection
with the controversy has lust come to
light. 1t is that every employe of the
Union Pacific, aside from the engineers
and fremen, has been instructed to follow
the engineers in case a strike is declared.
District Organizer Neesham, of the
Knights of Labor, who has charge of all
the branches Of organized labor on the
Union Pacific system, came to Omaha
from Denver in respone to a summons by
telegram, and has everything arranged for
a prompt walk-out of all the shopmen,
switchmen and every laborer employed by
the company. Inside of one hour"
said one OF the individuals interested in
the transaction, every locomotive, shovel
and all machinery would be brought to a
STOP"
A Cheyenne engineer says the strike
machinery cannot be set in motion in less
than two days, but that if the company
does not come to terms a walk-out which
will appall the natives will be ordered.
Only five crews are involved in the re-
duction and an official here says the
Brotherhood cannot afford to ieopardize
its position on the Union Pacific for these
five men and that it would be folly to
strike.