The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-03-24
THE RAILROADS SIDE
Reply Of the Great Northern to
the Car Cleaners
THE REDUCTION IS DEFENDED.
ouDsrfstesdsss Copeland states the Case
TO the Chamb her Of Commeres-1o
Avoid . Receiver.

The com mittee OF the Chsmbes OF Com
nnerce TO which were referred the com
plants Of the Great sortherd striking car
cleaners yesterday afternoon heard state
ment from J. p. Copeland. superintendent
OF the Coast lines, who presented tbs rail-
roads side OF the case.
The striking car cleaners we're on hand
~ the Chamber of Commerce rooms. but
we're not admitted 70 the meeting. and re-
manned outside until the consultation was
over. These men refused to submit 10 a
cut in wages from $50 per month TO 81 per
day and auis work They then Appealed
90 the Chamber Of Commerce through ".
c. 7. Adams. secretary Of the American
Railway Union. Tho matter was referred
60 q committee Consisting of Jacob Furth,
James Gosh and S. l.. Crawford, which
yesterday afternoon listened 20 SIR. Cope
lands statement.
In stating the case Mr.. Copeland ex-
planned that the work done by tie car
cleaners was simply jsnitor's work. not in
any sense skilled labor. which in many
Eastern cities was done by women. Owing
10 the business condition Of the country.
he said, and the desire Of President Hill to
keep the road out Of the hands of 3 re-
csiver, IL had been found necessary 10 re.
trench in expenditures all along the line.
The orders making the cuts In wages had
been issued frora St. PanI. and the officers
Of tbs company had simply to obey
orders and make the reductions. He ex-
planned that the cats in wages had not
applied solely. a. had been stated. to COM
non iaborers. but we're general and sweep
ing, the same rate OF wages being in force
from D.. Paul to the Coast, and that his
own salary had been cut q per cent. Mr..
Copeland stated that y hen the car cleaners
quit work there were over one hundred
applications within the next two or three
Gays for the eleven places made vacant
Since the men quit three of them had ap-
piled for reinstatement and he hoped to be
able to take them back by the first of nett
month. He felt satisfied that the present
low rate OF wages Was only temporary and
tina. as soon as the business conditions Of
the country would justify 1t wages would
b restored to their former basis.
He called attention TO the fact
that the Northern Pacific and Lake
Rhore roads were in the HANDS
Of receivers and only Obliged
TO pay running expenses. by reason of
which they could pay higher wages than
the business would justify. Mr.. Hill did
not propose TO let his road go into the
hands Of receiver, and the reduction In
wages was simply business proposition.
One OF the grievances presented to the
chamber. Mr.. Copeland said. was that the
Great Northern was discriminat ing against
Seattle in favor Of Fairhaven. To disprove
this he produced figures to show that the
psy roll Of the road in Fairhaven was $500
per month, and in Seattle nearly SIG, 900.
He thought tho pay roll Of the Great
Northern. although the rate Of wages was
low. would compare favorably with that
Of any other road In Seattle. Mr.. Cope
land questioned the right OF the
Chamber of Commerce to regulate
the railroads affairs. When asked
by member of the committee
whether he thought the present rate OF
wages Was too low. he said he did not care
20 discuss that question, rs he did not like
20 put himself in the position OF criti-
cising his superior officers. He called at
tsntion to the fact that many men were
now working in Seattle in hotels and other
places for their board.
After listening to Mr.. Copeiand's state
ment the members of the committee con.
suited on the report which will be sub
mitted to the chamber next Tuesday after
noon. but agreed not To make known the
nature OF the report until that time.