Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-07-19
FORCES IN THE SHOPS
Nearly Seven Hundred Men at Work for
Union Pacific Here.
LIST INCLUDES THOSE At COUNCIL BLUFFS
Work is Progressing Well and Official
Offer No Complaint.
SAY NEW MEN ARE GOOD WORKERS
Employees Have Comfortable Quarters Pro-
vided by the Company.
LARGE FORCES IN OTHER PLACES, ALSO
SAY NEW MEN ARE GOOD WORKERS
LARGE FORCES IN OTHER PLACES, ALSO
Reports of Violence Between strikers
and Pickets Denied by Canada,
but Affirmed by Many of
Strike Leaders.

reporter for The Bee was shown
through the Union Pacific shops in Omaha
yesterday by Superintendent McKeen of
the motive power aud machinery depart
ment OF the company. The list of men
employed in the Omaha and Council Bluffs
shops was disclosed, showing a total of
$50 men. OF this number 427 are employed
in the motive power department., leaving
the remainder for the car shops and other
departments where the men did not strike.
The company's books show that before the
strike the maximum force employed In
these shops was 975. The oficials' records
show that Of those shopmen in Omaha
thirteen macbinists and twelve boiler
makers. The rest. they contend, we're
from the helpers and handymen forces.
There are now sixty-one skilled ma
chinists at work, as against ninety-five
originally; thirteen boilermakers. and tbs
company wants three more; seven black
smiths, which is about ten short of the
normal force. These are all skilled men.
The larger figures represent the handy
men and helpers, as we'll as skilled me-
chanlcs in departments outside Of the mo-
tive power.
In the car shops, the engine carpenter
shops and the babbit department, full
forces are at work. These men did not
strike. The blacksmith shop is running
six forges, as against sixteen, the original
number. but four more will be started in
a few days. probably Monday The boiler
makers are working away at six engines,
one OF which will leave the house today.
II was run into the shops about June 10
and has been thoroughly renovated. This
iii ~ fO IaaW fha
repair shops within week. Another one
will be ready for release within couple
OF days. Thus the work in this depart
ment is proceeding with facility, remark
ably so. the foremen say. under the cir
cumstances.
Machine shops busiest.
The machine shops present the busiest
appearances. While Of course the whiri
and din may not be as great as when the
normal force was at work, there Is no
suggestion Of idleness or stagnation, and
SO far as a layman can Judge. things are
moving along with rapid and steady mo-
tion. The workmen in this, as well as
other departments, seem to understand
their business and are receiving the COM
mendation of their superiors.
Superintendent McKeen and Master Me-
chanic Barnum, who Joined the visitors at
the shops, pointed out with considerable
pride one young man who was putting In
his first days work making bolts In the
blacksmith shop. He was turning out bolts
at the rate of /, 900 OF 100 day. for which
he would receive 2S cents hundred, piece
work. Other men working upon the piece
work scale were said to be making pro-
portionately good wages and there was no
evidence of dissatisfaction or complaint.
1--WE have discovered some rare workmen
and others Of promising skill and ability
among these new men who are facetiousiy
referred to as 'scabs," said the officials.
They said they had no room for complaint
at the character OF work being turned out.
Get Board and Lodging.
All the new shopmen are, boarded and
given their lodging by the company. Skilled
workmen get 80 cents an hour and their
living. Temporary quarters were improvised
with Pullman coaches In which the men
sleep. and cabooses and freight cars, where
they eat and bathe. Bath rooms have been
arranged in a couple Of boxcars. The cars
stand on tracks where the air can get on
all sides of them and the sleeping quarters
are therefore especially comfortable. The
oficials say that every convenience and ac-
commodation is provided to facilitate the
mems lot.
The new pattern shops. which are nearly
completed, are to be fxed up within the
next few days for living quarters for the
men instead OF the cars now occupied.
thick board flooring is being laid on the
ground floor which will be the cooking and
eating. apartment and the upstairs win be
equipped for sleeping quarters. This build
ing is we'll ventilated and screens are to
be placed upon all the windows so as to
allow air to pass in and out without being
accompanied by flies and other insects.
divers species of which seem to infest that
particular part OF the country.
Forces in other shops.
Besides the force in the Omaha shops
the companys chart showing those at work
in other places was revealed. At Cheyenne
there are 29S men in the motive power
departments. The 1872 carmen therefore
brings the total for Cheyenne up TO 430. as
compared with sos. the normal force, and
344 the number at work July II. At Arm
strong the force is OF normal size and men
applying for work are being turned away
almost daily, the ofhcials say. The list
from North Platte shows 200 men at work,
as compared with 27s. the original num-
Der. Here Is where some Of the most
serious dificulty has been had in keeping
the men in line, but the ofiicials feel GER
tain the force will not be deprecated. but,
on the other hand, will continue 10 grow
until II reaches its normal size. These
numbers at North Platte do not include
the carmen. who. OF course, did not strike.
The Union Pacific oficials express their
satisfaction with the progress Of AFFAIRS
and still persistently afhrm that their In
terests are not suffering from the strike.
They maintain that many OF the strikers
themselves are deloded as TO the actual con-
ditions.
81 cannot understand" said superin-
tendent McKeen. why the strike leaders
persist in deeeiving their own men as 10
the number OF men at work in the differ
ent shops Certainly these men who are
directing this night ought to be aware OF
the conditions In the shops and II. they
are. what object they have in misleading
their fellow-strikers is more than / cau
conceive OF. My idea Of war IL that you
want to deceive the snemy and keep your