The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-05-14
In RAILWAY CIRCLES.
Rio Grande Switchmen Go Out
Ona Strike.
THEREMAY BE SERIOUS TROUBLE
The Union Pacific SituatiOn-SOme Retire
ments Hinted at Quotations on Sacred
Cows-The Rock Island.

The Rio Grande Western yards took an
the appearance of police headquarters Jes-
terday afternoon, and for a while at least
the blue coats were almost as numerous as
the passengers.
The cause for the sudden increase in the
population of the Fifth ward was the re-
ceipt of telephone message at police
headquarters to the effect that "fuss"
was either in progress or imminent at the
depot. This was the only information the
message gave, and with the idea that the
toughs who inhabit the saloons in that To-
cality had broken out again, about a dozen
policemen were sent down at IN
tervals. They arrived, however, only to
find the dives considerably more respect
able than usual, and they then learned that
they had been summoned because OF the
fact that number of the switchmen and
yard hands had gone out on strike. All
was quiet and peaceful, however, and
there was nc evidence that anything out Of
the usual run of events was afoot.
Inquiry elected the fact that some days
ago the switchmen made demand for ten
hours a day, twenty six days a
month, and % cents per hour,
the understanding being that all
time over twenty-s days month should
be considered as over time. 1t is said the
men were given to understand that the de-
mand would be allowed, but or Monday the
two nIen who carried up the request were
relieved, and committee yesterday waited
upon Mr.. Bancroft to ascertain why
their time had been given them. The COM
mittee claim they were peremptorily
ordered out of the office. They assert that
Tranmaster Gwin has been letting out
the dissatisfied men just as often as he
could find others to fill their places. Yes
terday the yard-master was notified that
another man would be around to Ill his Of
fetal shoes this morning, and later in the
day, the switchmen, some nine in number,
knocked OFF, work, and for time trains
were at a standstill. The strike, however,
did not disarrange matters to any great
extent, the ''Eli'' going out on time.
One of the strikers who was seen by THE
HERALD gave the above facts, and init
mated that other and more racy develop
ments were likely to follow at any time
now. They asked for no more, he said
than the Union Pacific switchmen had
been granted, and no more than they
thought was just and fair. The business
was both fatiguing and dangerous, and
no man could put in twelve hours day II
justice to either himself or the company.
Asked as to what effect it would
have upon the movement of trains
he admitted that the presen
move would necessarily have but little, bu
in case the demands made were not com
piled with, the complications that nigh
follow would be serious. The strike o
itself was little matter, but there was N
telling how far it might extend before tn
question was definitely settled. 1t nigh
be, he said, that the Union Pacific switch
men would refuse to move the Rio Grand
Western trains and other departments o
the road would also be liable to becom
involved.
So far, however, no serious dificultie
have been encountered by the railway per
pie, and it is thought the places of tn
strikers will be filed to-day.
At late hour last night it was learne
that the differences had been settled an
that the strikers would return to wor
this morning.
THE UNION PACIFIC PEOPLE QUIET.
tHas the strike of the Rio Grand
switchmen had any effect here!" aske
THE HERALD representative Of Unto
Pacific official.
''roe what9" he gasped.
''The Rio Grande Western trouble.
has been alleged that in consequence of tn
strike at the other yards, the Union p;
cific switchmen would refuse to handle Ri
Grande cars here.n
''We have heard nothing about it, and
has had no effect upon us. We can't sd
what may come later"
''What wages are the Union Pacif
switchmen receiving."
twenty-five cents per hour, for day
ten hours. The foreman receives 81 cent
The night force gets 81 cents and 90 cents.
''And how many days in a month";"
"Every day.