Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-09-09
WOE FOR M'LEOD.
Men on the Reading Cooking
Up a Strike.
WHILE he SLEPT THE FOE WORKED

And He Wakes Up to Find Organized
Labor in tho Swim, rs 1t Were-A De-
mand That Must BE Acceded to or a
Big Strike BE Inaugurated-What q
Man in the Secret Knows-Trouble
Ahead that May BE a Good Deal Worse
than BnraIo.
CHICAGO. Sept "a strike is being
prepared for on the whole system of the
Reading Railroad company. The strike,
if it takes place. will affect the brakemen,
the conductors, the locomotive engineers
and probably the telegraph operators.
The grievance committee which called on
President Mcleod yesterday were in
structed to offer the alternative of a
strike. The grievances Of the employees
are that they do not receive a wage in &C
cordance with the rates allowed on other
roads They, therefore, ask that in
crease of % per cent. be given, and that
the working day be reduced by ohe hour.
Mcleod Has Been Seen.
A telegram sent to an official of the old
Federation of Railway Employees at the
Grand Pacific yesterday read: "What aid
and cooperation can Chicago give the en-
ployes of the Reading company in the
event of a striker" At once an investiga-
and a reply was sent declaring that all
possible support, financially and otherwise,
might be relied on. Yesterday afternoon
the official alluded to sent the following
telegram to member of one of the en-
ployes' organizations in Buffalo: @Be kind
enough to give me results of your meeting
with President Mcleod, being held today"
The following was the reply received about
= O'Clock last night: 1.-THE matter referred
to was presented to President Mcleod to-
day, and was held in allegiance by him
until he can investigate the claims"
Have n Perfect Organization.
AS the Official is identified with railroad
interests almost as closely he is with
railroad labor organizations is name Is
withheld. This is what he had to say
with regard TO the subject Il am aware
of every circumstance connected with the
union of the men on the Reading road.
l tell you positively that the organization
has been going on for the last year and
that it is perfect. OF course there are a
few men who have not joined the union,
but that is thing you will find in every
labor body. The account which l have re-
ceived from the representatives of the men
at Philadelphia show that President Nc
Leod has at least recognized the union.
The President Hears Something.
when the committee waited on him
yesterday evening ne SstlC ne "ouiu Hob
acknowledge the right to existence of any
grievance committee. Then the members
Of the committee showed him the strength
of the an:zation which they represent
ed and he agreed to receive them this
evening. NJ nd you, it is not only the
men on the Reading leased lines who are
organized. I speak of the organization
on e-main road" AS to the probability
of the strike taking place it is difficult to
oil hot ha
slider reasonable concessions be not made
then the strike will be Immediately de-
clared.
Ten Days Will Tell the Tale.
The reply of President Mcleod will be
given to the grievance committee. If I'M
satisfactory it will be referred to the state
grievance committee, and after that it
must go to the national committee All
this routine will in all likelihood occupy
ten days. Should the strike take place an
amalgamation of the orders throughout
the country is likely to follow.