The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-07-08
An. 0. SHOPMEN STRIKE
|eir Der1,n for 10 Per Cent In
crease in Wages Refused.
+ COMPANY OFFERED SIX PER CENT
|. Men Refused Il and Laid Down
rhsi, Tools--A Signed Statement
OF Their Negotiations.

y .s,erday morning at IL o'clock nearly
smnloyes Of the Southern Pacific shops
3,lad out on strike because their demand
10 per cent increase In wages was not
n by the company. The men who struck
$,uded the employees Of the machine shop.
\ coach shop, the paint shop and the
chit car shop, the workmen in the boiler
ms and the holding departments con
ling at work. having lately received an
Grease in wages.
ibe strike was not unexpected, as the
In had lately presented a request to the
4 nacement Of the road for the Increase
wages vet II was hoped by all parties
bcerned that an agreement would be ar.
I'd at without such radical action.
&rhe demand Of the striking workmen
Il presented to the company several days
"a was for q general increase of 10 per
N IN the wages of the employees of the
znnrtments mentioned above as having
Fixed out, and after consideration OF
4 matter the following terms were agreed
Hon by the company:
a raise Of 6 per cent in all Department.
9rept that of the machinscs. who were
Eeiving 81 cents an hour, and they were
fered 81 cents an hour instead.
Mic demand for a nine-hour day was
hIved by the employees aud the hours
IN TO remain the same as before, viz.
a hours per day.
4 CONCESSION NOT ACCEPTED.
Nhis concession by the company was not
3tisfactory to the men, SO a meeting was
Mai among the men and a committee of
h shopmcn appointed. Of which Mr.. W.
Morrison was appointed chairman, who
sere to wait upon Manager w. G. Van
Heck end prccsnt him with an utlmatum
nd get his answer.
la conference was held Sunday afternoon
d Manager Van Weeks office between the
Smmittee and the above official. but after
Considerable discussion Of the matter the
6mmlttee left without receiving any fur,
Ter concession than that already stated.
Manager Van Week stated to tho copl-
8ittpe that the road could not see it's way
b Weld 10 the demand for a 10 per cent
acrease and that they were perfectly will.
Is to give the men a 6 per cent increase
8cept the machinists. who would receive
B cents per hour.
2The committee after another consultation
flivered to Manager Van Week their final
dtimatum. which was thnt q strike would
h ordered Monday morning. July I. Mt IL
floch unless their demands were agreed
b Manager Van Week took the matter
nder Amusement and told the committee
q would communicate with them.
sWher the appointed time came yesterday
1prning no word had been received from
kadquarters; so after waiting an hour the
Employees walked out
"a Pos representative visited Manager
n G. Van Week Yesterday afternoon
pd discussed the strike with him. He
1lked the matter over calmly and safe
Pat he would prefer to say as little ms
pssible on the subject Just at this time
4 II was too early to make any lengthy
Rtement .Athout duly studying the mat
a out. He said the men had come Il
Pr and asked for an increase of wages
thlch the company could not see its way
n grant and as the result Of an inability
y agree on the subject the men walked
~ He stated that he, representing the
3mpany, was willing to be fair nnc
@asonable and hoped to see the matter
etted with as little friction as possible
Pc rate offered the men he declared tc
y equal 10 that OF any road In the State
66d no more than that could be done.
when questioned by the reporter regard
g the filling of the places of the strikers
Manager Van Week said that no steps
% been taken as yet but that II
ompromse is not reached within short
|ne the company would he compelled t.
ske such steps. Traffic is uninterrupted
far, be said. and all business was stated
moving along as usual in other de
4rtments
sNanager Van Week seemed tn be undis
gfbed by the situation and in his con
3rsation on the subject seemed TO res
~ In bis confidence of an early settle
Hnt, he expressing himself as
4lng assured that the men wouiC
fair minded in the matter ate,
fndyine the merits OF the question
8sely He maintained that the road is
lying scale equal to other roads IL
state; that is, with the changes agreed
fon In the ccmpany's proposition TO the