The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-08-23


TACOMA. Aug. 22-fSpccial. r. The en-
ployes Of the Northern Pacific railroad
here are planning to organize . co-opera-
tive store tor the transaction OF q general
business. This is to be done In order 10
meet the reduction in salaries, which has
gone into effect, and 10 be prepared for any
further reductions. A representative
Northern Pacific railroad Official says:
sThe cost Of living is too great here. II
would do the town good to have prices re-
duc<d. That has been recognized fact
for some time. Now Is q good time TO Sc
cure the reduction. Many people say. al
though wages are higher here il costs more
TO live. enough 10 make the difference in
salary"
Now 1t Is proposed TO bring down the
price Of everything in the living line. both
food and clothing. but especially food.
Some things are all right. but others are
too high. grocer. who IL going about
with the parties who have the matter
under consideration. says he finds that
there is profit Of IS per cent. I'm
some articles in the grocery line.
He promises. If given the proper amount
of trade. to sell groceries just m cheap
here as they can be retailed at Chicago or
any other Eastern city. The railroad
men and the interests employing men
which are allied with the railroad believe
they are the backbone of the city, 80 far
as ready money 10 concerned, and they arc
out for consideration In the adjustments
Of prices IL consideration Is not given
them they will advocate the cooperative
supply store idea. III necessary . meeting
will be held In few days TO discuss the
whole proposition.
The cut In salaries doss not yet effect
any salary below $i00 per month. From
81 30 10 5000 the reduction 10 10 per
cent: 5000 to $1,000. Is per cent. and
above $1,000. . per cent This reduction
does not include the tralnmen. conductors,
engineers and others who work by the day,
mile, or trip. II cuts are made In thoss
departments, IL 10 believed by the officials
that they viii be acceded 90 by the work
men. There are some, however. who
would like TO see n contest between the
receivers and the employees. inssmuch as
the workmen. or any unisr rep
resensing them, would have To deal
with the eUnited States governments
direct. Some even go so far rs 10 suggest
that the present is capital oppefsunity 10
secure sweeping reductions in wages by
using the Northern Pacific as caispaw
TO take the initiative, thus giving tue
other roads Of the country an excuse 10
follow and also make reductions. On this
point some of the higher officials say:
"There will be no strike. strike would
not last i've minutes with the Northern
Pacific. The men are loyal. They Fesisza
that they have been paid more wages by
the Northern Pacific than the Horkmeu on
any other road IN the country. That has
been the case when the Northern eosssd
afford 10 pay big wages, and now that it
can't do IL, the men. as a general rule, sill
stand by IL. /"
A canvass Of the situation seems 10 in-
diease that most OF the employees are will
ing TO accept the reduction With the
understanding that resumption Of the
present scale of wages is to fellow disap-
Pearanee Of the siringency. This 10 said
to be acceptable 10 the companyis re-
ceiyers