The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-11
Scarcity of Labor Causes Des-
peratiOn Among Roads.
BOilermakers Cannot Be Hired
at Any Price.
IS GENERAL.
Machinists, Blacksmiths and
Track Laborers Needed.
Book Island Wants Men to Help
Lay New Steel.

Labor is a commodity as scarce and
certainly much more sought after llgHl
now in this western country Khan IS
anthracite coal. Particularly IS this true
IN the case of the railroads.
A Topeka railroad man talking the
other day intimated that scarcely at
any time since the great transportation
systems had built their lines into this
section had there been such a dearth OF
men who could be secured TO 90 the
work It is understood that on the
Rock Island alone, including the KAN
0as Nebraska and Colorado divisions,
at least three hundred laboring men
could be given instant employment IN
various capacities. In the first place
Il Is thoroughly known that the scarcity
of skilled craftsmen has existed for a
number of months. Boilermakers are
q class that can hardly be employed IN
sufficient numbers to keep up at some
points the running repairs of the loco
motives. This situation is much more
serious in the west than east OF the
Mississippi. A Santa f'e man recently
told a reporter and it is no news to
railroad men generally, that in the east
there was rarely ever any difficulty
from allsali and similar constituents OF
the water which was put into the engine
boilers. Quite different is that from the
LIQUID from which the steam on the
western lines is derived. Here and far
Their west where it is all the more
strongly impregnated with these de-
trouble with leaky boilers. All because
of the water. Only last week an
nouncement was made that the Santa
Fe had closed a deal for half dozen
plants along the system with which the
water should be treated so that these
injurious elements might be brought
down and removed. So that this is one
reason why there is continual demand
for the services Of the men who repair
fire. boxes, calk fues and fix up general
" the boiler part of the rundown en-
gines.
Somewhat like reasons apply to the
demand for machinistS and black
smiths. Either of these WOrkmen can
get employment almost anywhere
throughout the west. Times are good
and such a large additional quantity OF
motive power is being pressed into ser
vice and that which already has been
working is taxed to such an extreme.
that it requires much labor at division
points to keep engines in shape for
pulling trains. Many of the young men
who are completing an apprenticeship
in the railroad shops of the country are
taking advantage of the prosperous sea-
son and the corresponding demand for
tradesmen and are going over the cOun-
try from one state to another partially
for the experience and sightseeing pos
sibilities, knowing fully that so long as
they are able to reach a railroad divi-.
Sion point they need not so hungry, nor
in case they are card" men to call
upon their brothers for assistance.
Often after they have been employed a
short time and have decided to make a
move to another railroad town, the fore
men have gone to them and begged
them to stay in order that the work of
the shop might be improved.
Another cause contributing to the
stress for labor-and that Of the IN
Skilled kinds the immense amount of
water which has fallen during the last
few months. Within the last week peo-
pie generally have noticed what the
effect has been. in the matter of delay
ing trains. Not that there were wash
outs, because they have been compare
lively few lately. But the tracks have
been so softened that officials have been
obliged to issue slow orders to their en-