St. Paul daily globe., 1893-04-19
Some Probability Of a General
Strike on the Santa Fe
System.
1t May Begin a Fight Between
Railroads and Organized
Labor.
Gov. Lewelling Will Not Fur
nish Troops to Protect
Railway Property.
Mysterious Conference OF
Brotherhood Engineers
Held at Toledo.

TOPEKA, Kan, April 1S.-A sensation
of considerable magnitude was created
here this afternoon, when it was noised
about on the streets that general
strike OF all the trainmen on the
Santa Fe system was impending, and
would occur tomorrow. The slight in
formation obtainable indicated that the
strike would probably not occur tomor-
row, but that the difficulty was
far from a settlement. 1t was
discovered that a joint committee
appointed last night by the five Organiz-
ations of trainmen this afternoon called
upon John Player. superintendent of
machinery, and requested him to in
form them whether it was true
that the company had decided TO
annul as soon as possible all contracts
with the organizations they represented.
and make no new ones. The COM
mittee stated it had been informed
that this was the case, and inti-
mated that unless Mr.. Player returned
a satisfactory answer that all he
trainmen on the system would strike
at noon tomorrow, in order that
the recognition heretofore granted their
organizations by the railroads be con-
tinued. Mr.. Player said that the COM
pany would surely respect all contracts
in force with all trainmen'S OrganiZa-
tions. Whether the men consider this
answer satisfactory it is difficult to tell.
as they were very reticent on the sub
ject.
The Trafnnen's Organizations
will meet again tonight 10 receive the
reports OF the committee. Whether the
strike will be ordered will depend upon
the report Of this committee. Judging
from the meager information at hand 1t
would appear that the strike will PROB
ably not take place tomorrow. but that
the difficuity is by no means settled.
The trouble all arose over the pub
lication Of a statement that the railroad
presidents at their recent meeting
in Chicago had entered into an
agreement to annul all existing
contracts with members of labor Or
ganiZations and to not renew them Inc
men were also informed that the hght
upon them was to be begun by the
Santa Fe, which would receive encour-
agement and aid if necessary from the
other roads to bring the fight TO
successful termination. The trainmen
decided to take the initiative and ask
the company directly whether the re-
port was true, determining to enforce Il
continuance of their recognition as
labor organization by strike II neees,
sary. The outcome VIII be determined
49, > Ln r,.;ttaa1c rpnnFt
In speaking of the strike on the Santa
Fe road, a railroad man today voiced the
following significant opinion:
A Fest OF Strength.
1.-The strike inaueurated here week
ago was the beginning of trouble which
Is to test the relative strength OF the
railroads and organized labor all over
the country. 1t is now the understand
ing among the men that the real reason
| the contract was not signed by the
| Santa Fe was on account OF an agreee-
ment recently entered into by the gen
eral managers and presidents associ-
alton of all the railroads in the country
| to sign no more contracts with organ
| lied labor. as they said, for their own
| protection"
General Manager Frey was seen, but
he refused to either deny or affirm the
strikers opinion. He said:
81 am not member of the general
managers association, and have never
attended any of their meetings. and l
do not know anything about this mat
ter"
Another strike of no small proportion
is being inaugurated on the Santa Fe
for tomorrow or next day. The Broth
erhood of Shop Employees has a
grievance now which it is trying
| to settle, and if unsuccessful the
men say they will strike Thursday.
Their trouble comes through the abus-
i've language of foreman towards his
men in the yards at Argentine. A lead
! ing man IN the Brotherhood OF Shop
Employees order SAID this morning that
there was a certain foreman who had
! been in the habit Of drinking during
working hours, and abused workmen t.
such an extent that TWO of them retail
lated. when they were discharged. The
| grievance committee, he said, had asked
for an investigation of the toreman's
action by the officials of the road. but
nothing had been done. He said the
men had fully decided to strike tomor
| row, or not later than Thursday, if the