The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-04-16
Tho Strike on the Great Northern
Took in Considerable More
Territory Yesterday.
Resolutions Adopted by Various
Labor Organizations Endors-
ing the Men.
Helena Employer WIN Hold . Public
Meeting at the Auditorium Tuesday
Evening Next.

information was received in the afternoon
By 7. +. Richardson. who represents o.
Qanizer Hogan in this city. that the road
was tied up from Crookaton TO the coast
This was In conformity with the order sent
ont by Mr.. Hogan on Saturday. The tele-
gram from Mr. Hogan aiso said that the
men all along the line we're standing nrm.
Yesterday morning Supt. Bryan left for
So. Paul over the Northern Pacific and the
probability Ia that until be reaches that
citv there will be no change in the situa-
tion. Division Superintendent Currisr.
who left Helena Saturday for Great Falls.
had not arrived al his destination yester-
day Aftsrnoon. lie went as far as Silver by
private conveyance, aud from that
point took hand car. The
agents all along the line have
agreed 10 give him q clearance order.
Down at the station yesterday 10 was as
quiet as q ohu ohysrd; few IL any Of the
men were around. AtG meeting held yes
terday afternoon II was decided By the sua-
ployes TO have public meeting at the
auditorium Tuesday evening. A general
invitation is extended to citizens generally
to attend. Prominent speakers will be
present. and the position of the men in the
controversy with tho oompany will be folly
set forth. DurinR the afternoon there was
a Joint meeting OF local assemblies 1928
and Z, ,2lO. X. of L.. al which the following
resolutions we're unanimously adopted;
where's, The employees OF the Great
Northern railroad arc now on strike TO
prevent q reduction of wages below liv-
ing basis. and whereas, committee OF the
American Railway union having appeared
and 32l0 Knights Of Labor. and have sat
fed said locals of the justice OF their pcsi-
uon: therefore bo 10
''Resolvod, That the knights OF Labor Of
this locality are in hearty sympathy with
said employees In their struggle for their
lights and hope they will maintain a solid
front until success has owned their sf-
forts.
Resolved, That copy Of these resolu-
tions be sent TO the American Railway an
ion 20 use ~ they see ht; also copy be
sent TO Journal OF United Labor.
Al n meeting OF the Silver Bow Trades
and Labor assembly, held At Butte Satur-
day, the following revolutions were adopted;
Whereas, The Montana Central and Great
/ No thern Railroad companies have 30 re-
duced wages on their lines that their en-
ployes are unable 10 live aa American eiti-
zsns should live. and have gone out on .
strike.
Whereas. The en- mployes OF said railroad
companies are ready and willing 20 return
to work a. fair aud reasonable wages.
Whereas, The said reduction was not
made in consequences OF the financial strin-
gency of the tunes. but ohly as measure
/ OF economy and 20 increase dividends.
| Whereas, The said railway lines are now
| lyine idle in consequence Of the refusal OF
railroad companies to nay their employees
! fair end reasonabls wages. and
! Whereas There is no provision in their
/
operate their road only when men will work
for a dollar day; therefore be 10
Resolved. That We denouRoe the action of
the alien oWns q Of these lines who have no
| interest in tue state Of Montana beyond her
dividend paying powers. IN refusing 10 paw
fair wages and operate their lines thus
running the business of the state and de-
stroying b 7 industries that their dividsn ds
| may be increased.
Rssolvsd, That we call upoa the GovernoI
of the state to demand OF these companies
that they at once open up these public
lhiRhways for business and 20 notify them
that IL they fail or refuse to do so hs will
take poseession OF their property aud run II
in the interest of the STATE OF Montana.
A. Great Falls like action has been taken
by the labor organizations and in addition
there was q public meeting OF citizens 81
which the strike was formally endorsed.
| Geo. W. Howard. supreme vice president
| OF the Amsrionn Railway union, goes 90 81
Paul tonight to look out for the INTEREST,"
OF the men thore. Friday Grand Organizs
Hogan sent out the following statement
under his signature in regard 10 the truth
DUTY demands that the public shoulS
understand the clusss which fOrcsd th'
action taken on the Great Northern system
Fret ! wish TO say shat the men ware not
advised or encouraged In this mAttsr.
was their unanimous choice. brOthe
ebba president of the American hailWal
xuiraH mo n nrNVeuf tle ntrikp.
endoGvorsd 20 do 90, but the wave OF In
diqnation was simply insurmOuntAbe. Ih'
men are conservative. They are not en-
bfyOtio in the railroad business Old
gray-haired engineers and conductors wh
nave weathered many n storm, we're con
spicuously interested in demanding aha
this action be taken. The men are intelli
gent and read the p pera. They know tha
their wages have been cut 20 such deg Q
that they can not properly snbsist. Will
such reports as the following prove tha
the Geduotions we're Unnecessary. 81 Pau
papers In August. a. the time the hTst CO
on the Gisat Northern was made. pub
lished this;
"Interviewed by reporter in New Yorl
James j. Hill. president of the 0rsa
railroad. said that ths rsductisns in wage
z on bis road went into effect on the 9th inst
hey Wers not she result. he said. Of Oh
present hnGnotal aud buGineas troubles bu
I simply the fulhllmsnt OF a long contem
plated plan of economy. The reduction
would eject a total saving Of 3 10000 pc
annun.
3 'Ths following from the Minneapolis Tr
bune OF Fob. . also bears testimony.
says
INV YoRK. Fob. S.-The statement G
the Great Northern railroad system for th
six months ending Dec. 81, shows gro'
earnings. So l97. O40 net sarninga tt,Oih.
O36; total incoms. St3i9. 1885, tntsfes, an
dtvidends. So 1lT,9lsi bAlanes, x63l.e2
surplus. 4s99. 1873
= "In TIE face OF this statement the eng
neers aud hrtmsn we're cut about 10 p
; cent, thea the employees WAC were cut !
: August ecsived n ssoond cut and then u
conductors aud trainm n wsie ordered O.
from 10 20 10 Ter cent. All these cuts add {
fuel TO the hams Of discomfort whioh
reduction Of wages is bouad 90 kindis
the breast OF svsfy man. especially Whe
hs knows rsiuctiona are unneeosaarT.
few days ago a brakeman quit the servi
OF the company aud was paid according
the reduced RATES. which 10 Las uip b
tween Bnits aud Helena. division
which tho men run ovef two ranges
mountains. As soon na this was ma
known TO the men u was only by the mo
4 powerful Isrsuaaion on ths par, Of