Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-08-28
MEN WANT HIGHER PAY
No Threats Made But Trouble May
Result.
RAILROAD MANAGERS ARE AGITATED
The Demands of the Men Will Be
Made, 1t is Said. in Territorial
Groups-Ail Trainmen Are Included
in the Pending Trouble.


&,
Operating employees of every rail
way system in the United States in
cluding the Burlington, are planning
the greatest labor movement in the
history of their organizations, and as
result the railway managers Of the
entire country will soon be facing the
most serious problem of the kind pre-
sented in many years, according to a
story in Chicago newspaper this
morning. In view of the fact that the
Burlington road has just granted its
employees an increase in wages, local
men do not believe that that part of
the story which relates to the Bur-
lington system has a solid foundation
although they profess to have no in
formation on the subject.
The movement, according to the Chi
cago end of the story, is well under
way and is one of concerted action for
higher wages for every class of work
men employed in the operation of
trains. 1t includes engineers, conduct
ors, Irainmen or brakemen, firemen
car men and switchmen back of the
movement will be a solid phalanx of
between 100000 and 1,500,00U work
ingmen bent upon forcing the rail-
roads to give them what they deem
to be just share of the proceeds of
the phenomenal prosperity that has
come to the companies. IL is under
stood that the demands will range be-
tween 10 and 20 per cent higher than
the present scale of wages, and that
the demands will be made upon cer-
tain groups of roads by the middle of
September.
To Avoid Threats.
Continuing the Chicago newspaper
says:
The demands will not be accompa-
MED by threats to strike, but of course
the strike specter will from now on
be constantly behind the chair of ev-
cry general manager in the country
Should a strike result it will be the
greatest in the history of railroads and
will paralyze the transportation facil-
tiles from one end of the country to
the other.
Local railway officials have been
aware of the inception ard growth of
the movement despite the attempt at
secrecy by the various brotherhoods.
Although no meeting of railway Off
cials has been held in any part of the
country to discuss the matter, close
watch has been kept of the situation.
Local officials yesterday freely admit
ted that such a movement was on foot,
and stated that they considered the
situation as exceedingly grave.
Beyond the question of a possible
general strike there is the question
of loss of revenue involved, which is
considered even more serious. Should
the demands be met, and the general
opinion is that some concessions will
have to be made, it will mean yearly
increased cost of operation amounting
in the grand aggregate to many mil
lions of dollars.
Will Affect Dividends.
So large will be the amount that div
f6ends upon many railroads will be Sc
riously threatened, which would in
turn lead to a corresponding reduction
in values and possible financial dis
aster Should the demands not be
granted. then are the railroads and the
labor organizations likely to engage in
the greatest struggle in their history
The plan of the labor organizations,
as gathered py railway officials here
is comprehensive and we'll instructed
1t is the purpose of the labor men to
take the railroads by territorial groups
and to compel joint conference be.
tween committees representing the
employees of the entire individual
groups and of the railroads of the
group. 1t has been decided. that the
first group to be dealt with is com,
posed of the northwestern roads, main
" the Chicago, ST. Paul roads. These
are:
The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy
The Chicago and Northwestern
The Chicago, Rock Island and Pa
cific.
The Chicago, Milwaukee and St.Paul
The Chicago Great Western.
The Wisconsin Central.
The Illinois Central Lines West OF
the Mississippi.
Origin of the Plan.
In order to understand the logica
reason for this plan it is necessary tc
go back about two years. About thai
time a labor movement began among
railroad employees with view tC
eaualizing wage scales throughout the
country. Wages paid on eastern
roads We're about ~ per cent lower
than those paid on the roads in the
middle west On the latter roads
.(Continued on Page A.