The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-20
Clear Explanatory Statement
Issued After Conference.
WILL REMAIN NEUTRAL
Orders Interceded For Rein
statement Without Success.
Might Have Been Different If
Consulted Before Strike.

Chicago. Dec 20.-The committee rep
resenting the engineers. fremen, con-
ductors and trainmen of the Santa Fe
railway system, have declared that they
would not advise a strike IN sympathy
with the teIegraphers- The committee,
consisting Of J. f. Roddy and Irving
Wellman. representing the engineers
Thomas Burke. representing the fire.
men, H c. Scott, representing the train
men. and W. ". Hutton, for the con-
ductors. issued the following statement
last night:
AS members Of the committee repre-
sentlng the engineers fremen and train
men of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa
Fe railway we wish to say that at the
request of the telegraphers we have en-
deayored TO bring about satisfactory
settlement Of the difference between the
railway company and the telegra piers.
After careful and thorough nveStiga-
ton OF the causes that led to the con-
troversy and after listening to the state
ments Of the teIegraphers and also
statements from Mr.. Barr, third vice
president Of the road, we wish to say
to the public, as wen as to the members
OF the different organizations which we
represent that, while We regret that we
were not able TO bring about a settle
ment between the telegrapheTS and the
wise the members OF the organizations
represented by Us that the labOrS Of the
tude OF our members viii be neutral
during the existence Of the present con-
troversy.
Our meeting with Mr.. Barr was
pleasant one he expressing a desire to
maintain friendly relations with labor
organizations as long as they were con-
Quoted on business principles"
NJ Dolphin, president of the Order Of
Railway Photographers, who arrived in
Chicago today, would not talk on the
result Of the conference, except to say
that the strike would be con-
ttnued Members of the commit
izatiOns said their attitude might have
been different had they been consulted
previous to the calling Of the strike
Vice President Barr refused to discuss
the outcome Of the conference.
The Tribune says.
THE request made by the committee
to Mr.. Barr was that he now Teinstate
as many of the striking telegraphers as
possible and take back the others as
rapidly as possible This request was
made in the face of the fact that the
teIegraphers had told the committee
they would not go back until their de-
mands had been complied with. Mr.
Barr refused the request, saying he had
promised permanent employment to the
men engaged to take the places of the
strikers
Following the conference with Mr..
Barr, the committee held a conference
with President Dolphin of the teleg-
raphers, who arrived in the city in the
morning Mr. Dolphin sought to per-
suade the committee that it was the
duty of their organization TO stand by
the teIegrapheFs. but ne was unable to
do So
Later the members of the committee
stated that they consider the strike OF
the teIegrap piers iII-advised- The strike
was called without consulting with the
other organizations and under these cir
cumstances the latter did not feel called
upon to take aggressive action in be-
half Of the teIegraphers- They declared.
too. that the service of the road was but
slightly erippIed at present..