The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-29
YIELDS THE GREATEST POWER
1T CAN TIE Up TRAFFIC IN SPITE OF
ALL OTHER INFLUENCE.
Local Central Labor Unions Election
of officers Max Hayes
Futile Persistence.

Since the Switchmen's Union of North
America was organized in 1894 and has
maintained itself independent Of all other
railway organizations the branch has
gradually widened until the climax was
reached in the recent strikes at Pittsburg.
Pa. and Denver, Col. In both these strikes
members Of the other organizations did
what they could 10 place men In the va
Gated positions and open traffic. This
action on the part OF the other unions. and
especially the Brotherhood Of Railway
Trainmen, has intensified the bitter feeling
that has existed since the switchmen
started 10 fight their battles alone. and
many charges have been made against the
trainmen. 1t is said that the trainmen have
even tried to break up the switchmen's
organization.
The switchmen hold a peculiar relation
TO the railroads. one that cannot readily
be supplanted by other railway employees.
Their constant work about. the yards
handling cars makes them speedy and pro-
fcient and skilled in their work. They hold
in their power the immediate or delayed
delivery of freight and can tie up a rail
road more completely and quickly than
any other class of employees. Shipments
are made on such close margins IF time
that the least delay cOngests traffic, some
Times 10 the extent VI immunity u 0CAANtlSB
especially when perishable goods are be-
ing handled. Present heavy shipments de-
mand ali the available cars a railway has,
and when there is a congestion or a de-
lay there is a temporary car famine that
works no end of inconvenience to business
men. Thus there are two evils in delay
shortage of cars and perishing goods.
The importance of prompt delivery, which
rests entirely with the switchmen, makes
the harmonious maintenance of their or
ganization a material factor to the good
business of any railroad. For these rea-
sons the switchmen have an enviable Or
ganization in the eyes of other railway
unions. The power Of such a body would
be of great benefit TO the other railway
organizations in time OF strike, and the
independence of the SWitchmen in refusing
to amIiate with the brotherhood of Rail-
way Trainmen is what has caused the bit
ter feeling between the two unions.
When the strike was on at Pittsburg
the trainmen did what they could to defeat
the SWitchmen, and the same methods We're
uSed IN Denver buL perhaps the most app
parent feeling between the unions has
cropped out in Indianapolis. The Switch
mems Union is not a striking organization,
the constitution providing that a strike
can only be -inauguTated by a tWO-thirds
vote of the union, and then only after the
local and general grievance committees
and the grand master and the general COM
mtttee have each made efforts TO effect a
settlement and failed The union main
NaAA AU ufAtlArt luAlAs anu Wild - saul
about strikes in the constitution and by
laws is to discourage them. one section
OF the constitution provides; Amy member
OF THIS union VINO snail engage IN a strike
or encourage any other member 10 engage
In one without the consent of tWO-thirdS
OF the members employed on that system
and that of the grand master shall stand
expelled. And a section of the preamble
to the constitution under the title of hope
says. Believing that IL Is for the best
interests poth OF our members ana tnelT
employers, that "a good understanding shall
at all times exist between them it will be
the constant endeaVor OF this union TO es-
tablish mutual confidence and create and
maintain harmonious relations between en-
plOyer and employee
So strictly have the switchmen observed
these principles that they have had little
trouble. and had IL not been for their peace
ful disposition there might have been a
strike in indianapolis. 1t is charged that
the strikes in PittsbUrg and Denver were
Indirectly caused by the trainmen assuring
the railroad companies that they would as
sist them If the switchmen went out. It
Is asserted by members of the local union
that the sam thluS was tried here. The
switchmen of the MOnOn had their din
ner hour reduced twenty-five minutes by a
schedule submitted by the trainmen. 1t is
charged that the trainmen did this for the
purpose OF inducing the switchmen to re-
fuse TO accept the cut in the hour for din
ner and then 10 not support them If the
contention resulted i'm a strike. The situa-
tiOu was discussed a great deal. but the
switchmen decided that they would accept
the cut OF twenty-five minutes rather thaI
strike
4
The election of officers of the local Cen
tral Labor Union Jan. Is promises TO be
spirited. President John Feltman. of the
Cigar Makers Union. is a candidate for re-
election. and opposition is expected TO come
from the building trades. Secretary Harry
Slough will likely be a candidate for re-
election. Clarence Gaumer. financial sec
Rotary. has not been returned 10 the cen
trail body as a delegate by the cigar max
ers. and his place viii be vacant. u. l..
StoddaTd. OF the Carpenters Union, is
talked of for the place and will probably
- elected IL noueinata9 DroaDf1er ~,
Blue viii be a candidate for reelection
and will have opposition. There Will also
be contests for other offices.
Xxx
BY the system of banishing Socialists of
Russia to Siberia that country has under
gone a rapid Industrial development, aud
the Socialists there have now organized
themselves under the title Democratic and
Socialist Alliance of Siberia. and are fast
ment and control of the province.
The schools Of Armstrong county. Penn
sylvania. were suspended because of a
strike Of the teachers. The standard wage
there was $50 a month. but the board Of
education valued the services of one teach
er $ more than the average wage, and a
strike for equalization foLOwed.
<
a street-railway employees association
has been organized in Cleveland BY a bank
er and lawyer with the announced object
Ito crush the labor agitator." l.. P. Vii
son. one of the promoters OF the organiza-
ton. states: "One of the principal objects
Is 10 completely crush out strike agitatOrs.
We want. ii possible. 10 wipe OF the face
of the earth the men who 80 about stirring
UP strikes among street{allWay men. at
the end Of which the men find themselves
generally almost in a pitiful condition
The members of organized labor in Cleve-
land are aroused over the effort TO form
the organization and are taking steps 10
thwart it,
The United Voters OF Labor is a new in
dustrial organization that has entered the
political field. It's formation is based upon
a resolution adopted at the last meeting
of the Ohio Federation OF Labor for the
purpose OF fighting known enemies of Ia
Dor. The Industrial League is another
new organization with the object OF effect
ing a permanent organization among union
labor men who are Republicans.
Car builders OF the Pullman Palace Car
Company, at Pullman, are being organized.
Union cigar makers employed by A.