New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-07
RAILWAY MEN UNCONCERNED
STORIES OF STRIKES FROM CHICAGO DIS
CREDITED.
RENEWED TALK OF MOVEMENT TO DEMAND
HIGHER WAGES FOR RAILWAY EMPLOYEES
DURING THE WORLDS FAIR.

| HIGHER WAGES FOR RAILWAY EMPLOYEES
DURING THE WORLDS FAIR.
| Chicago Feb. (,peciaD.-General managers OF the
roads In Chicago profess to be giving themselves no
concern the reports in circulation concerning an
| impending switchmen's strike. They say they know
nothing Of the matter but what they see In the
ncwspap r.. None OF them have been approached BY
their employees In person by representatives. WIN
| the view OF obtaining increase OF pay or other
changes In existing relations and they know Of no
grounds OF discomfort from any cause. OF course
| they are not prepared 10 say what their pos'uoh
| will be should "a concerted universal demand be made
| Of them for an increase Of pay.
A morning newspaper says:
| 1t seems than probable that within ten DAYS
a herculean attempt will be made to tIcup every
locomotive and car in the city and paralyze the traffic
sve have the officials Of one OF the Ea,eri trunk
| lines become that ii is reliably reported they ar:
n % nso @
switchmen the dlsaffecton has spread until, 1t Is
pIoyes will unite in one Of the most dc crmlne i
strikes ever known in railroad circles Tln switch
men have decided TO demand an advance OF I'VE cents
an hour from their present pay and TO strike II they
do not get it. This important action was taken yes
terday at meeting Of committees cv representing res. nn
scale demands 30 and 80 cents hour respectively
nd 'TS Sr mem Working 70 at night IL" The dmana Will
b. made upon the several roads centering here a'
| soon as petitions can be circulated among the MN
| natures secured.
The peculiar feature of the movement Is that the
regular organizations Of the swtchm'n are entirely
Ignored In the new move, and that it is sort Of
spectivc Of the heads Of the I'D organizations.
Unless the railroads of this country agree to
a decided advance over the rate, they are now paying
there will be the biggest labor fight ever known In
this country. and that too. within the next thirty
days. The speaker one Of the most Intelligent
railroad men In Chicago
1t will not be long strike. even II 1t should
come to that but / know that many systems
the men have been making up strike Iund lor
several years. This l. prao tcay the case OH the
Pennsylvania system, which mas been the most aggrrs
Sivc I'm holding It's men down TO low wages and
unreasonable cXictions In discipline. les, you can
say In al truth that this demand for an increase III
wages Will he made not later than March l: ana II
II Is not granted there viii De a general ueup OF
railroads such rs never has been known BEFORE
Grand Master John wilson and Vice Grand Master
John Downey were at the headquarters Of the switch
mems Union { Is evening and, while they both took
some exceptions TO the statements made, yet both
acknowledged there more truth than fiction In the
| story. In fact, Mr.. Downey made one remark which
told the whole story. lie said "Ycs, there will
be demand for increased wages made by the switch
and there may be- strike resulting from II. but
both will b. under the direction OF the Switchmen's
Mutual Benevolent AsSodation.'
The svitchmen have had no Increase ~ paw since
1891 said Mr. Wilson, and think II about
time they should get Increase. The union EN-
braces 10 per cent of all the swchmen In the city,
that strike could be successfully innugirnted
without the authority Of the Switchmen's Union
Yes, and inside OF a week we Will demonstrate
that fact" added Mr.. Downey
Pttsburg. Feb. CIT is again reported that con
certcd action Is foot among all the railroad EN-
poyes 10 make a united demand for an advance In
wages on April /. y circular Is said to have been
f,rfo Of Rallu
which includes clerks telegraph operators, switch
men, freight handlers conductors brnkcmen. frenen
and locomotive engineers stating that demand VIII
be- made for - hour 30 cents for overtime
and that nine hours shall be days work: 80 Instead
Of 200 miles be the days run. \ general strike
Is to be- ordered on any line that refuses to grant
these rates.