The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-24
MAY SEEK RECOGNITION
CENTRAL MACHINISTS
HAVE PREPARED DEMANDS.
Trouble Possible il They Insist on
Men Instead of Employees.

a modification of the agreement with the
Canadian Pacific Railroad is the basis Of
the demands which the international As
ISOLATION of Machinists will make on the
Illinois Central officials to-day. Second
Vice President Hartman says he will re-
ceive the committee OF machinists if the
members are Illinois Central employees. On
In point a hitch is expected, since it is
In 1ted the members of the committee
will stand. not as employees. but as MEM
oeFs or the International Association.
Thereupon ii Is believed Mr.. Hartman will
refuse TO treat with them. The association
asks that the company agree TO a nine
hour day and urge that they be paid an
Increase of about is cents In wages with
extra pay for overtime and allowance
for time lost while out with wrecking
crews. They ask that the term of appren-
tees shall be four years, that apprentices
be employed between the ages of fifteen
and sixteen years, and that each appren-
tlce be taught all branches of the trade,
instead of a speciality. In addition they de-
mand arbitration and transportation and
leave of absence for all members of griev-
ance committees. Craft rights will also be
insisted upon; that is any machinist shall
be permitted to call the foreman's atten-
ton to an infringement of craft rules.
Talk of "a Southwestern Combination.
In view of the current talk about the
probability of combining the Southwestern
group of roads into one system under the
control of the Gould interests, a glance at
the figures showing the mileage, capitaliza-
ton and earnings of the respective roads
will be Well worth the while There is a
general impression that the %llowing
named roads will become part of the new
system: Missouri Pacific, 1898 miles; Texas
x Pacific, 1,5l4; Missouri, Kansas & Texas.
2,2lS; Denver IL Rio Grande, 1873; Rio
Grande Western, 5S4; a total of 10. 927 miles.
The outstanding capital stock of these
roads is approximately: Missouri Pacific,
$cO,0O0,O00 Texas * Pacific, $39, O00, 900; Mis-
souri,, Kansas & Texas. $55, 900 600; NJ, X.
4 I. preferred, 10000 900; Denver * Rio
Grande, S3S. o ,o00; ID. q r. c.. preferred,
$2,3OO,0O0; Rio Grande Western, $4,000, 600
K. q. W. preferred, 100000; a total of
$256, 100000. which. reckoned at prevailing
prices, has "a market value of about $40,
100000. These five roads earned an aggre-
gate surplus in the last fiscal year of about
S,4oO,OO, and it is believed, judging by
current business, that this large sum will
be raised during the current fiscal year at
least $1,000, Goa total of nearly $40, OO0,O 900
showing an earning capacity equal TO
about per cent. OF the market value of
the stocks.
Among some of those who nave given
this subject consideration there is a be-
lief that the proposed combine will include.
also, the ST. Louis Southwestern with 1,25S
miles of track and the Chicago & Eastern
Illinois, with 6S miles; and possibly, i'm
time the st. Louis a. San Francisco, with
an additional i,642 miles of road. This does
not take into account any Eastern connec-
tons, one of which, they say, is reasonably
sure to be the Wabash, 1850 miles. Should
the formation of such a system be con-
summated, with its Eastern terminus at
New York and its western at some point
connecting with the Central Pacific for the
western coast. a through route would be
created that would rank with the Canadian
Pacific or the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Pacific as a complete transcontinental line
At present, however, interest centers in the
possible combination of the Southwestern
group. in which the Missouri Pacific would
play the most prominent part.