Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-22
LET OUT TWO HUNDRED MEN
Union Pacific Discharges Forty Per Cent Of
Shop Employee
THIS MAY HASTEN SAcHlNIsTs STRIKE
Retained Men who Feel AERrieved
and Fail TO Report Monday
Morning VIII Ne Cut
on Permanently.

The Union Pacific company reduced its
force OF shop employees from 80 to 40 per
cent yesterday. An order to this effect was
promulgated and posted at the shops to be
read by the men when they left their
places OF work yesterday afternoon. This
applies to every department OF the shops
and means a total reduction in the number
Of men employed Of about 200.
This action is a direct result OF the strike
Of the boilermakers, which began last
Wednesday. and is taken by the company
as a necessary means to the preservation
OF It's own interests. The boilermakes
idleness naturally dlsturbs the whole sys-
tenn at the shops and renders It impossible
Tor the company to keep its entire force
AZ work without serious financial loss. As
has been stated before. the full force OF
machinists could not be kept busy withou,
the boilermakers being at work. other
tradesmen are likewis affected. the whole
mechanical department IL upset, hence me
oompany's order. II may be stated that
by this order more men will be deprived
OF work than went out all over the sys-
tenn In the boilermakers' strike.
Preference for Older Married Men.
In enforcing this order the company will
manifest a preference for the older mar
~ ~ htaAlg as DDEhlUle I0eHe
viii be kept in the employ Of the Union
Pacific, but Of course In some cases they
may have to go with the rest to complete
the number.
The company has decided and has so no.
tined It's men that those who, agErieved at
this action, refuse to report at the shops
Tor work Monday morning at the usual
time, will be discharged and will never
again be reinstated in the service Of the
Union Pacific. The officials do not antici-
pate a refusal to accept the conditions
by any great number Of the men. II f.
believed that many OF the employees. ia
view Of the impaired state Of AFFAIRS con-
sequent upon the boilermakers' strike were
not surprised to learn Of the company's ac-
tion. However. to others 1t was a complete
revelation.
Boilermakers May Return.
Regarding the boilermakers, all of whom
are out, the company will permit any who
wish to return to their work Monday. and
will take back all of them II they choose
to return. but after Monday. should the
boilormakers fail TO avail themselves OF
this concession on hat day, the Union Pa.
cine shops will be closed to them per-
manently and absolutely. Not a man will
ever be taken back, declare the officials.
" II OllCldlb bldnQDOlnt IL would
seem that the bollermakers had selected
the wrong time for their strike. The COM
pany has just emerged from the season Of
preparation and is In the best condition II
Is asserted, to endure a period Of stagna-
ton at the shops. 1t has plenty Of engines
on hand, cars and other such equipment
and many Of the engines now undergoing
or awaiting repairs will not be needed for
six months, so that there is really no
vital issue at stake with the company In
this particular. The power is running in
nrst-class order and II lie learned at the
railroad headquarters that II can run on
Tor several months without additional IA
cility.
Machinists May Strike Now.
This order Of reduction may bring 70 n
mead the trouble that has been brewing
among the machinists. As these men have
been on the verge OF striking for a week
or " II Is not improbable that they will
seiSe this occasion for walking out In a
body Instead OF submitting to an order that
VIII throw part Of their force out and keep
The remainder.
Inc company processes to be prepared
or such a contingency. Its officials are
aot indifferent to the probability Of such
course upon the part OF the machinists
Ind the possibility OF It upon the part Of
others In the shops, and yet they are NOT
Iunheiently impressed with this view Of the
situation as to be thereby deferred in Their
action.
The company believes that the majority
u the machinists are opposed TO striking.
II mas all along maintained hat the ma
orlty OF the boilermakers, and especialIv
"Ose outside OF Omaha. were. The COM