The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-13

tion emploves of the Southern and Ala
bama Great Southern Railways are de-
termined to make a united stand against
industrial oppression.
..Tbe strike was called for the follow
ing purposes:
"To secure reinstatement of its mem
bers who were discharged by the South
ern Railway.
"For the right to be heard through COM
mittees in the adjustment OF indlVldual
grievances.
For set of rates and pay to govern
train dispatchers, telegraphers, agents
and other station employees, in their en-
ployment, discipline, etc.
Twelve consecutive hours work per
lay where one or two telegraphers are
employed, including one consecutive hour
for dinner; ten consecutive hours, in
Guiding meal hour, in all relay, dispatch
ers offices and offices where more than
two telegraphers are employed, except
that this rule will not make working
hours more than those that may now be
effective.
Eight consecutive hours for train dis
patchers.
"Pav for overtime for telegraphers, dis
patchers and Others in excess of the above
hours. but nothing less than twenty five
cents per hour
ITO abolish the practice of compelling
agents to load cotton and the perform
ance of other menial labor.
"A minimum wage scale of $40 and $50
per month, according to territory or loca-
tion.
lone hundred and twenty dollars per
month for trick dispatchers.
The securement of fair and equitable
rules regarding promotion
CAUSES LEADING TO STRIKE.
Regarding the causes leading up to the
present strike, President Powell said to-
day:
This action was made necessary by
the refusal of the company to treat with
it's employees in the telegraph depart
ment. Instead Of treating with the men
the company waged an outrageous secret
warfare on the telegraphers. discharging
the men who dared to represent their
brother operators by serving on commit
tees. Mere than twenty committeeman
have been discharged. Dozens of men,
bers Of the Order of Railroad Telegraph
ers employed On the Southern have been
discharged because of their membership
Failing in their effort to secure hear
ings from the local superintendents and
then from the general officers of the
company at Washington, the men had no
other alternative than to appeal to the
organization TO which they belong for
protection.
Il proposed in this message to Mr.. Can
non that if the company and its telegraph
employees were unable to agree as to the
matters in dispute they desired to pre-
sent that the telegraphers would agree to
submit the matter to arbitration, three
arbiters TO be appointed one each by the
company and telegraphers and the third
by the two arbiters so selected. This
proposition was made for the sole pur-
pose of suggesting a means by which the
differences might be adjusted without
resorting to a strike with it's consequent
result i also agreed to submit the mat
ter to Mr.. w. H. Baldwin, Jr., President
CT the Long Island Railroad Company, of
New York.
''All of these overtures on behalf of the
telegraphers were rejected by the COM
pany and the officers refused absolutely
to treat with their men.
'In the effort to secure a peaceable ad-
justment of the troubles the matter was
appealed to Mr.. Samuel Spencer, Presi-
dent Of the Southern Railway, at New
York, who was asked to intervene with
the view of averting a strike. Mr.. Spen-
GERS secretary wired me yesterday that
the President of the Southern had been
very i'll several weeks and was not able
to consider such an important matter.
This closed the door to the telegraphers,
they having exhausted every means in
their power to secure hearing by the Off
ciais. There was nothing left to do ex-
cept to strike and this morning | called
out all the members of my organization
employed on the Southern Railway and
the non union members who are in SYM
pathy with US