Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-07-19
RAILWAY TIE-UP near
employees Of Some Eastern Roads
May Strike. VI
SEMANDs REFUSED BY OFFICIALS.


9stween $4,000 and 10 900 Men Involved
A the Proposed Strike Employees WILL
ang to Great strike of Brook
Court Declares Eight-Hour Law Uncon-
stitutionai- Cleveland Car Men Strike.
Boston, July 1.-THE labor troubles
on the Boston and Maine and the New
York, New Haven and Hartford rail-
road systems have reached a stage
where general strike seems proba-
BILE unless the arrangements of the
roads recede from their present po-
sitions. The strike would involve
from $4,000 to $4,000 employees, and If
successful would tie up both systems.
The Order of Railway Telegraphers
Y responsible for the present phase of
The situation in seeking the adjust
ment of what the members consider
grievances. The employees of other de-
Rartments also have grievances,
though, and will probably aid in gen.
eral movement to put the railroad en-
ployes of New England in a more IA
vorable situation.
Demands of Telegraphers.
The principal demands of the tele-
graphers are for minimum salary of
- a day and for work day of fixed
number of hours, with pay for over
time. 1t Is asserted that at the pres
ent many men who should be classed
as telegraphers get as low as from $50
% $40 month and work from O'Clock
tn the morning until late in the even
ing.
The employees say they are willing
Do submit the whole matter to arbitra-
ZION provided that the railroad COM
panies will agree beforehand to abide
~ the decision. The arrangements
q the two roads, on the other hand,
refuse to recognize the power of the
organizations of employees to sign con-
tracts or to treat with them in any
way, though they say they are willing
20 take up individual grievances.
Efforts by the Order of Railway Tel
egraphers to have grievances adjusted
having met with no adequate result,
the next step is to get from the teleg-
raphers employed by the roads an ex-
preston of opinion as to the advisa-
bility of strike. Those on the Bos-
TON and Maine road are practically
unanimous for such action. The vote
has not yet been taken on the CONSOLE
dated systems.
Appeal to the Federation.
The next move will be to lay the
matter before the executive commit
tee of the American Federation of
Railway Employees. This body will then
try to'arrange conferences with the
managers of the roads involved. Fail
ing in settling the trouble, as is likely,
the federation will consider the advis-
ability of ordering strike. The fed
Grafton, as is well known, is composed
OF the Order of Railway Telegraphers,
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Fire
men, the Order Of Railway Conductors
and the Brotherhood of Railway
Trainmen, which latter includes
switchmen, baggagemas-
hers. yardmen and others employed in
minor capacities.
On the Boston and Maine the en-
gineers have a joint agreement with
the firemen which would call out
either body in case the other struck.
On the New York, New Haven and
A~<-A tAOA0 obOdt udll Ilc cuSluSeTS are
also members of the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Firemen.
Receive No Satisfa ,fion.
The trackmen are now organizing
and the freight handlers are already
well organized. The latter order on
The New York, New Haven and Hart
lord has grievances and in the effort
30 get them adjusted relations between
the order and the road have been
to nearly the breaking point.
On the Boston and Maine every or
ganization of employees began early in
June to endeavor to adjust its griev-
ances, but got no satisfaction from the
officials. The telegraphers of that road
have already voted almost unanimous
~ in favor of a strike, and President
w. v. Powell of Peoria, Ills, has tried
to arrange a settlement in vain. He
Is expected to issue a call for meet
ing of the national board in Boston
very soon to consider the question of a
general strike.
On the New York, New Haven and
Hartford, after the order had appealed
to subordinate officials,
President Powell wrote to Charles P.
Clark, president of the road, asking
for conference. This has not been
granted, so far as can be learned. II
10 is refused that road will also he