The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-10
Laborers Told That They Are Not
Needed When They Appear
at Their Posts.
OVER A HUNDRED DROPPED
RumorS That a Further Reduction in
All Departments Is Soon to
Be- Made.

SACRAMENTO, CAL, Dec. 9.-Over 100
more of the toilers in the Southern Pacific
Railroad shops were notified this morning
that their services were no longer required
when they appeared in the several depart
ments where for years, in many instances,
they have labored early and late.
The rumor is current that without doubt
there will be still further reduction IN the
present force. 1t is claimed that an ex-
pert is making a thorough examination
throughout the system, in order to ascer-
tain what other curtailments may be
made.
1t is said that all the track-walkers must
go, and their duties will have to be
assumed by the section men; in fact, there
is not an emplove in the service OF the
Southern Pacific Company who does not
live in fear ano trembling. No one is
informed as to how far this sudden plan of
retrenchment may reach nor how soon his
individual position may be declared
vacant.
There are numerous rumors af1oat as TO
the cause of this wholesale discharge OF EN-
ployes, but the general impression Is that
it means a plea of poverty and hard times,
which will be used as ''bluff" at Congress
in the refunding matter.
Private petitions are being received on
all sides by public men from members of
the discharged force begging them to in
tercede with the railroad authorities and
use their influence to gain the reinstate-
ment of the employees, and many who are
supposed to be conversant with the affairs
of the company have no hesitation in stat
ing that large number will be reinstated
in very short space OF time.
Major w. A. Anderson, who is looked
upon as champion of the rights of the
poor and oppressed. in this city, when in
terviewcd on the subject this evening,
said:
''In my opinion the Southern Pacific
Company will find it necessary to reinstate
the majority of the men laid off. During
the winter there is always crying demand
for retrenchment in railroad management.
''Of course the unfortunate laboring man
must first feel the force OF the blow. 1t is
certain that there will be an unusual de-
mand for labor in railroad circles as soon
as the rough weather sets in on the noun
taIns.
'As is the case with every citizen of Sac
ramento, it is my wish and desire that the
laborers now turned out, may soon begin
work. Several of the discharged men
have personally asked me to intercede for
them as citizen, which | will do to the
extent of any influence l may have.
lit is probable that number of the
men laid off may not be returned to work,
but the good men OF families will certainly
find favor in the near future. II is a very
hard blow, as very large number of the
discharged men are practically penniless,
owing grocery and butcher bills, and hav-
ing the amounts due them from the pay
Car mortgaged to scalpers."
A member of leading firm said tonight:
~ believe this is simply a shrewd move
on the con- pany's part to bring weight to
bear on Congress. Still do not consider
that it can be sustained. The majority OF
the men must be replaced, and that shortly.
81 fully believe that in making this
move the company intends to get rid of a
great many old, decrepit or crippled men,
who have for years been retained nomi-
nally as workers bnt in reality as pen
sioners.
I'm one or two instances, men who had
no family ties to bind them, have drawn
their money due and have left the town,
owing every body who was credulous
enough to trust them, and there is weep
ing and gnashlng of teeth among the hos
tlery-keepers."