Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-03-10
WILL MAKE A FIGHT
Chicago Roads Refuse the De-
mands Of S~itchmen
AND REALLY INVITE A STRIKE
They Prepare for One by Hiring All
the Non-Cnion Men They
Can Find

CHICAGO. March o. Without dis
senting vote the general managers of the
railroads entering Chicago determined
al their meeting this afternoon TO refuse
any demands Of the Switchmen's Mu.
tuai Aid society. An answer was sent
10 the switchmen by the general man
ayers of the thirty two roads centering
in Chicago declining 10 grant any in
crease over the present schedule II rates
and inclosing tho following resolution.
which was passed unanimously at the
meeting:
"Resolved. That this association has
carefully examined the schedule OF wages
paid by the Chicago roads 10 foremen
and helpers in switching service and
that il finds that the scale Of wages paid
on the Chicago lines is practically uni
form. and we find that the switchmen II
Chicago and vicinity are now paid the
highest rate ever paid for similar ser
vice and higher than Is paid in many
localities
Further, that the revenue from
freight and passenger traffic has con
stantly decreased aud the cost Of the
service has constantly increased 10 the
extent that no advance in wages can be
granted and that no change can be made
from the present schedules Of rules
affecting the compensation of men en-
gagged in this service"
Will Discharge Union Men.
This answer was sent To the officers Of
the Switchmen's association this even
ing and ends the trouble so far AZ the
managers are concerned. The switch
men have not yet determined what
course they will pursue. and Of course
the association declines 10 discuss the
situation. II they should decide to
strike, the fight against them would be
bitter one. as the general managers of
the thirty two roads have determined to
act as a unit and fight the men as one
road. a still more significant determina-
ton reached by the general managers is
an agreement 10 discharge all union men
on their lines in case the roads should
be crippled by a strike Of switchmen.
This will apply 10 conductors. engineers.
firemen. and. In fact. all branches of or
ganized railroad labor The general
managers say they will not pay union
men for doing nothing when their idle
ness is enforced by strikers 10 whom
they are giving aid and encouragement.
In the event 81 general dismissal OF
union men the vacancies are 10 be filled
as rapidly as possible with non union
men, the roads TO act in concert in Sc
curing new men and 10 Distribute them
according TO the needs Of the individual
roads.
Hiring Men.
Chief of Police McClaughry was pres
ent at the general managers meeting
and promised all aid in his power TO en-
force order in event Of strike.
The switchmen demand that the rate
Of pay for day foremen be made y cents
per hour. day helpers 30 cents per hour;
night foremcn. "a cents; night helpers.
j cents. and that ten hours work bc
guaranteed each crew night or day. This
Is an advance Of > cents per hour.
BALTIMORE. Md. March "a. j. Rob
inson is here. the agent of all railroads
leading westward from Chicago. among
them being the Rock Island. Chicago X
Alton. Illinois Central and Chicago X
Northwestern.
Mr.. Robinson is authorized TO employ
as many men cOnversant with the duties
of switchmen. yardmcn. conductors and
the handling of trains. as come along
Mr. Robinson tells each applicant that
his pay would be :';5 and so month
Competent yard bosses are In demand
also. No promises are exacted atsut
Joining labor organizations.