Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-12-08
KEY-POUNDERSO OUT
Rock Island Telegraphists Con-
clude to Strike
FOR THE HONOR OF THEIR ORDER.

General Manager st. John Declines to
Give the o. r. T. Recognition, and the
Word Goes Out, "Stop Work"-The
Same Command Flashed to the Opera
tors on the b., c. r. and N.-Nearly 700
Lightning ManipuIators Involved in the
Trouble.
CHICAGO, Dec S.-The telegraph opera
tors employed on the Rock Island road will
be called out today in every Office from
Chicago to the remotest point of the COM
pany's line. This decision was reached at
meeting of the committee representing
the men held at the Palmer house last
night. and the decision was ratified by
Grand Chief ID. G. Ramsey who was sum-
moned to town Wednesday night in view
of the critical stage which affairs had
reached. The .Iamber of operators en-
ployed on the road is 675; every one of them
belongs to the o. X. T., and every one of
them will do the bidding of the committee.
1t is possible, too, that a conflict may arise
between the operators and their employers
on other lines, though the o. R. T. declares
its intention to prevent any such occur
renee
The Strike May Involve Others.
In fact the members of the committee
positively assert that they have done all in
their power to avoid the strike on the Rock
Island, and have been compelled to call it
because of the action of the officials of the
company. Notwithstanding this desire for
peace the operators by the rules of their asso-
citation will be compelled to refuse to do any
work to help in the movement of the Rack
Island trains, and in this way it is possible
the strike may spread. SO far as the COM
pany is concerned its officials declare that
they can get car load OF operators from
the B. c. X. and y. company, and that this
car load will arrive to-day. The members
of the committee say this is a poor attempt
at bluff. and that in a few days, after
loss of a good deal of money, the company
will be glad TO grant the concessions which
the men, through their spokeSmen, have
asked
Would Not Recognize the Order.
What these demands or CONCESSIONS are
will be best explained of Mr.. Ramsey's
| words. He bases his statement upon facts
| supplied him by the committee: The
| operators on the Rock Island wished to be
placed in the same position as those on
| other prominent lines and appoint
a committee 10 draft a proposition to be
submitted 10 the company. Inc COM
mittee called on General Manager St. John
! last week and from time to time the mem
/ bers were were put off on some pretence
( or other. Today when the members of the
| committee called on Mr.. St. John they
were asked if they had a list signed by the
| majority of the organization. The mem
| bers replied that they would not supply
| the list; that the request was altogether I'M
| precedented. Then Mr.. st. John said he
would not treat with them, nor would he
! treat with me. He would not recognize
| the order
Later-Wil Call Out Others.
The committee has also decided to call
! out the operators ON the Burlington, Ce-
dar Rapids and Northern road for reasons
! given in an order which was sent to the
| men on both roads in which It is stated
that the "Rock island officials positively
refuse to trpa, with Us as your committee
as representing either the employees or or
! der. By a unauimoCs vote strike
| is authorized to -ake effect on the Rock
| Island and darlington. Cedar Rapids and
| Northern systems at 10 o'clock Thursday
morning. Dec s The b.. c. r. and y
railway is controlled by the Rock Island,
and is urging its operators 10 scab; fur
| thermore il mas violated the agreement re-
Gently made. Stop work, but protect the
| company's property now on hand; remain
firm, disregHd all rumors and success
will crown us in the end"
The Operators Quit.
CHICAGO. Dec. She committee rep
resenung the o. r T. employed on the
Rock Island, B.. c. K & n.
and Z. p. roads decided last night 70 cal
out the operators ~ 20 O'Clock TINS
morning In accordance with his deci-
SION the $50 operators on he G r. &
P ard the $50 on the B C R & n
went ut at the appointed hour. Trains.
however, are reported running - usual
CHICAGO Dec S.-Chief Rgmsey says
he str'ke o 'eitgrapher= on she Rock
Island is noW on Every man went out
At 10 N General Manager ST. john
declared al . late hour this morpipy that
he had heard nofhlng of be strike out
L.