Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-06-17
STRIKERS MEETING.
CONTINUED from page -

away uhtll
lived.
President Wilson is a Southcrner OF
worry prcposscesinr appearance. He fs
altogether different In what might pc
looked for in n labor leader. fcrhapS
the thing that imprcsses one most as
he talks with him is ms en-
II Is plain that he is worklhs io' pm
ciplc rather than % or ao cent ''9e'
He strongly cmphasized TINS po'" III
his speech at the hall ana CURING 'he
interview.
There is ore thing I wish you w"uid
say" said he. almost at the beginning
Of the conversation. II see that ii has
been stated that one object OF the
strike Is the recognition OF me n'o'"-
crhood by the company. we are ho'
striking FOR recognition, but Tor prih-
ciplc.'
Another characteristic in Mr.. Wilson
that makes a strong impression rs ms
apparent fairrefs. Said he: The press
has treated us very fairly indeed. so
far and we have nothing TO complain
OF. If We do wrong. crIticisc Us freely.
and IL you think we are right. support
us all you can" He expressed this
same idea little differently when
asking the members of other organiza-
tionr n the meeting TO assist the
striking trackmcn.
1t does not take very long TO per-
ccivc that Mr.. Wilson knows his bust
ness. He is in fact recognized as one
of the authorities of transportation in
the country. His report on this subject
which was made at Washington during
Il recent investigation, has been given
wide circulation. II IL apparent that
he has thoroughly studied the relation
Of labor to capital. ard that his opin-
ion Is worth something.
In speaking of the meeting the pres
ident expressed himself as being very
much pleased. 1T is clear" he said
that the hearts of all are eating the
same way. and this is n good sign.
consider the outlook very favorable"
1t was apparent. however. that he dli
not consider II probable that any Of
the other departments Of the road
would become Immediately involved in
the strike, although he was well pleas
cd with the sympathy and enthusiasm
displayed 81 the meeting. lie did not
seem very confident OF prompt set
Element. but was apparently willing
TO fight ii out along these lines II Il
takes all summer"
There is one thing which I men
toned at the meeting wish you might
also mention. and that is that the
Maine Central Is paying these Italians
81. 80 per day and the forcmen s3-s0
This is just what our men are asking
and the company IS refusing. II ~ =
beat us at any cost policy. you see"
Mr.. Wilson also stated q the meet
ing that tho Maine Central ana Can
adi1n Pacific were keeping in tuu,h
with each other an the strike which
both now have among their trackmcn.
In speaking ~ tho proposed strike
on the Canadian Pacific Mr.. Wilson
stated that ne considered the Cnndi-
ti"ns thcr" moro favorable for the
strikers. The road bed NJ the Canadian
Pacific. he said. WIS not i'm So good n
condition as w1s IT, Maine Central III
ne tim" thr atrik" WAS declared there
IT, tho hti'-c mon arc with tho
trackmcn There. ana tho d Il. has
many trcstlcS along its line. Thcr,. rs
some ~ 000 miles az track involved
Much ~ this posses through 4 noun
t"ir"us country whore there is more
chance fnr accidents. According to Mr.
Wilson enc of IL" Canadian Pacific
employees VIVA IS fnn,iIiar with a1l the
conditions there. stated that 4 wreck
might be expected within 10 days Il
there We're no competent trackmcn 10
patrol the road.
In speaking " thc relative advantage
Of IN" time tho strike was ordered among
the trackmcn On the Maine Central. he
said that 10 unfair advantage hnd lcr,t
taken. The men had put this roal in con-
hiti"n for the summer season. I'll" Il llt
nf the summer travel had mot commenced
i'ut Hn'l," 10 Tn" ItHHllC na4 by3u CIV n
50 That they row travelled with a fHI
knowledge of the riSk. This had III u
been d"ro on the Canadian Pacific
I've noted in any ~ Mr. " ilSou's III .T-
anrcs was when he spoke of the people
WHO nave been ar are wiling to assist
-" scahS IN any WY. ~ man who will
do this" hc declared "is degrading nj-
rdc' and diSGracin, himself among h.,
fellow workucn.
MIR Wilson was delighted with water
viii" as city. From what ~ hal bocu
abb. To see of II during his brief stay he
/ Pronounced 1t ono ~ the prcttics, ne han
ever been in. He also express N himself
as well pleased with the attitude af the
pcople in general regarding the : rik II
believed tnat public opinion here IS in
FAVOR OF the strikers and that the people
consider their demands just ard proper.
ConSidcrabl" missionary work was DOM
while the leaders Were in the CITY AMI
several converts were claimed. This par:
of the work see med 10 fail mostly on or
ganizcr Neil lie bad an interview vi. II
the foreman Of The Italians ana hC,ioVrd
that he would not stick to his Job mIch
longer. He also thought that thc uth, r
foreigners had about enough g: the bIsi-
ness and W01ld not stay many days
longer. He claimed that Their" are not
many more than ~ competent AMI *
pcricnccd wOrknCn on the tracks. nos
withstandinr the claims Of the company
to the contrary.
just before the train lcf. he corncrcd
Il car knockcr ct the station who had OK
pressed a willingness to board some Of
the men who are taking the place Of the
strikers. y nice little discussion followed
N which Mr. Ncls opinion Of man who
would do this thing was pretty clearly
explained.
Ii was believed. however. by the leaders
that the man did not fully understand the
situation and that after ii had been cN-
planned to him he would feel differently
about the matter.
The impression left by III" leaders Of
the strikers was that there Is no settle
mcnt in sight at present and that they