The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-03-31

OMAHA. Neb., March 30-At the hear
ing of the Union Pacific wage contest III
the United States circuit court today Mr.
McConnel's examination was continued.
IL was mostly on the cost OF engine SER
vice. Mr.. Mcconnell, in answer TO ques'
tons from the attorney and the court, ad'
1nitted that the cut III wages had been
made without giving the men proper
notice.
General Manager Dickinson was put on
the stand and subjected to long and
searching examination, in which the court
took an active part. He admitted that
the reduction in wages had been ordered
without sufficient notice having been
given to men. 1t was made because the
Earnings of the road had fallen of greatly
during the year. and the managers thought
something must be done. There was an
agreement that notice should be given the
men of any pending reduction. When the
monthly salaried men were reduced IN
August the company had invited all the
employees in to confer on the matter. Later
the engine men and train men had sent re-
plies that they would not agree To a re-
ductioD in paw When the cut was made
in the former on an order given from the
court it was considered that the men had
sufficient notice. Judge Caldwell press
ed AIR. Dickinson GU this point,
and he admitted that sufficient notice had
not been given. 1t was the Intention TO
make reduction in wages anyhow, al
though the receivership matter interviewed
and FOR time delayed the scaling down.
The Union Pacific had always aimed TO
pay as high and in some cases higher
wages than on neighboring roads. Judge
Caldwell went into the details OF the work
nicEincon pnIIcb infQr-
NATION in regard 10 The practical operation
of railroad.
Oliver w. Mink, comptroller and one or
the receivers followed Mr.. Dickinson on
the stand. His testimony was in regard TO
the financial condition OF the road. he SAID
the Union Pacific had not paid a dividend
in ten years There had been a decrease OF
So 000, 900 i'm the net earnings of 1893 from
those OF 1892 In 1893 the company oper-
.ted 1890 miles of road; total earnings,
$50, 652 066; operating expenses, including
lakes, Sl4 Az, AS; net earnings, so, lU.9lS
In 1892 the mileage was 1913; earnings,
S27, los. 050; expenses, 81. S57, 7Os; net earn
ines, 900. 341.
Judge Caldwell inquired concerning
Governor Patrison's report which showed
That the bonds of the company were Sc
cured on a mortgage covering property
not worth 2 cents on the dollar.
Mr.. Mink SAID Mr.. Pattison had been
misled. The court read Pattison's report,
which showed that Ct the Sl09, Coz, eco of
debt covering tue system, $4,000,
900 was profit on construction
Mr.. Mink said the report OF Gov
ernor Pattison's c0nfreres in the in
vestication, which placed the profit at
S4S, 600 600 was nearer correct. The court
said he would rather the government lost
every dollar il had invested than that
five men should suffer. He would see that
employees of the court We're properly COM
peIsated and that their wages would not
be cut to admit of payment of dividends.
President Clark followed Mr. Mink.
He was not sworn, Judge Caldwell saying
il was unnecessary. He was on the stand
but a few moments, his health being SO
feeble that he could not stand the strain.
His examination threw bat little new
light on the question. At the conclusion
TIE court peremptorily ordered that Mr..
Clark take a vacation of several months.
You shall not commit suicide In the
service OF the court" said Judge Caldwell.
"We need you and the country needs you.
For six months we will manage the line
without you"
When court adjourned it. was the i'm
preston the bearing would be concluded
tomorrow.
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