Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-05-27
DEMANDS OF RAIL WAY MEN
MACHINISTs ASK FOR REDUCTION IN
HOURS OF LABOR.
Conference Held Today With Vice
President Cannon of the
Southern System.

A conference was held today at the Of
fees of the Southern railway in this city
between Vice President Cannon Of that
road and ten representatives Of the machin-
lists organizations of that system, over the
question of a nine-hour day. The confer
ence is result Of the general movement of
the International Machinists Association
for a nine-hour day, the ten-hour day pre-
vailfng in the shops of the Southern sys-
tenn. The same pay is asked for the shorter
day by the men, and they also demand a
revision of the rules governing apprentices.
The men in conference with Mr.. Cannon
today are William Robinson of Atlanta,
Ga: B. F. Henry of Knoxville, Tenn; s. c..
Turner Of Memphis. Tenn: H. c. Slavan of
Macon. Ca; s. E. Tomlinson Of Birming-
ham. Ala: J. H Moncerif of Selma, Ala. !.
II. H. Spedden of SALISBURY N. c.; j. ].
Heems of Charleston. S. G.; w. II. Free
man of Manchester, Va, and G. E. Besson
of Columbia, S. c.
Mr.. GannOn's Statement.
When the conference was concluded at
2:l3 O'Clock. Mr. Cannon made the fol-
lowing statement to a Star reporter:
The men did not realize that they were
asking for an increase of II per cent In
their present pay by demanding nine-hour
day. They also have forgotten the agree
iiiSh. VI last year, Wnen they went DaCk
10 the wage scale of 1898. To give them
what they ask for now, in addition to what
was done last year, would amount to some
thlng over - per cent increase, which is
OUT OF all reason. Also, if we raise the ma
cnlnsts - per cent. all the other shop
employees must also be raised 25 per cent,
and that would mean tax that is very
embarrassing
MI Cannon was asked if the men had
presented an ultimatum on the subject. He
sala no: that the men represented them
serves SIMPLY as the agents of their organi-
cations: with instructions to present their
demands q, and report back for such action as
they might fit to take
Inc situation is not serious" he con-
tlnued There may be a few hotheads here
and there who will retire from our service
but l do not look for a general strike, be-
cause there is nothing to justify It, We
nave always found our men most reason
able and intelligent, although the members
of the committee this morning did not
realize what they were asking for 1t
would be impracticable to adopt a shorter
work day. Our shops are laid out. built
ana ,- equipped to do certain amount of
work in ten hours. and to undertake to do
the work in nine hours means to add to
our shops and equipment. The expenses
hibitive." f'
Mr.. Cannon said that about 30 per cant
or the machinists employed on the system
belonged to the machinists' organization.
Unsatisfactory to Men.
The machinists were seen at their hotel
after the conference, and beyond the gen.
efal statement that the conference was en-
tlrely unsatisfactory. would not discuss he
situation. They said Mr.. Cannon refused
TO consider any of the propositions they
made 0'
Mems Demands Granted.
NEW YORK, May 27-The demands of
the machinists employed by the American
Engine Company and the Ideal Cash Reg
lister Company of Bound Brook, N. J.. were
granted by those concerns, and the men
were all at work today. The machinists
mad asked for nine-hour working day
without a reduction Of pay
me bollermakers employed by the Rab
COCK ana Wilcox Company of Bayonne, N.
d., numbering about 300, went on strike
today for nine-hour working day with
out reduction in wages
In addition to the boilermakers one hum
dred machinists and many helpers, rivet-
erS ana nDiWrlghts employed at the works
are on strike, having gone out last week
Wheh the general strike Of machinists was
begun.
DtNkIRK. n. Y. May 27-Work was re-
suned at the Brooks locomotive works to-
Day. about two-thirds of the employees re-
porting for work. None of the striking ma
chinists or allied metal workers returned to
work. All departments of the works are
running. but with reduced force
The officers Of the company have submit
ted terms of settlement to the strikers.
which have been forwarded to President
OCOnnell at Toronto for his consideration