People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1893-10-27
FREYS STAND.
The General Manager Makes n State
ment of the Situation OF Offices.

The General Manager Makes n State
ment of the Situation OF Offices.
TOPEKA, Kan, Oct 24.-Geueral
Man ger j. j. Frey of the Santa Fe
system said this afternoon concerning
the report that the company's EN-
ployes had threatened to strike unless
paid their September earnings at once:
ut is true that some of our employees
at various points have called and dis.
cussed the irregularity of our pay
days since the financial stringency in
the country set in. Some of these
meetings have resulted in formal
demands that we pay September
by Saturday and that in the
event of our failure to comply
there will be a general strike on the
system. One meeting held at Argen-
tine last night adopted a resolution
calling upon us to pay the men there
by 6 o'clock tonight and promised a
strike if we failed. | received this
demand at l0o'clock this forenoon and
have just telegraphed reply to the
master mechanic there and directed
to read it to the men. This letter has
been wired to all general and division
superintendcnts on the system. | ad-
NIT that our employees have cause for
complaint They must meet their
living expenses, and unless the money
be Forthcoming regularly the shop
kee 7ers will refuse them credit.
That is human nature the world over.
But the company is not in position
to pay before the time indicated in nv
letter. We cannot go into the money
market and borrow on short notice,
as we used to, to meet an emergency
OF this kind; money is too closely
boarded. But the company will pay
as | promise and | hope our employees
will not be so foolish as to cause a
strike just now when we are getting
back to easier times Business men
and merchants generally ough, to un-
derstand the situation and rem
der the men every assistance
possible in credit and other accommo-
dations. 1t would be better for them.
Tor the men, for the company and for
the people along the system generally.
This subject will come up for Discus
sion at the annual meeting of the
company, which will be held here
October &c. What action will be taken
or what action can be taken |. OF
course, cannot say, but | am sure the
shareholders and directors are doing
and will continue to do all in their
power to relieve the company of its
embarrassment and provide for the
payment of the men and that they
will be raid at the time have stated"
In statement issued over his name.
General Manager Frey explains to the
employees the sudden loss of revenue.
due to the financial stringency and
the inability to secure loans from
the banks during the past
three months and calls upon
employees who have enjoyed regular
occupation and prompt pay should
Join with the management in hearty
endeavor to carry the company
through the critical period. the worst
OF which has certainly passed, and
with the reduced expenses and the
increased earnings he feels confident
that it will not be long before the
road will resume regular paw days.
He concludes:
The treasurer feels confident that he will he
able 10 pay the September rolls, eommencing
on the Chicago division, No 5, and working
rapidly west as fast as the funds will permit
so that the extreme Western employees will he
paid by the 18th. and he will be able 10 de-
liver the October checks commencing Noyem.
Der % on the Chica 20 division ami cleaning nm
all by the end OF the month II is not a 0ues
tion OF inclination. as the management il
more than anxious 70 resume our former con-
ditlons and the enforced delay not only Of nav
roll but OF voucher payments By the condition
named above has added very seriously TO the
LABOR and anxiety,of the financial department
lfeel very sure that our employees will an
preclate the situation and will reco ,nize how
vastly better 1t will be for all TO work In har.
nony and keep the business OF the company