Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-20
PROTEST FOR MOULDERS
Executive Committee Of Commercial Club to
Consider Foundry Matter.
WILL PROBABLY APPEAR BEFORE COUNCIL
Union Men Consider tha Legal aues-
tiOn is Involved In situation-
PrOeIa nation Calling Citi- e.
sens 20 Attend Meeting.

The executive committee Of the CONNER
eial club will hold its regular weekly meet
ing Monday at noon instead Of on Thursday,
the usual day. The meeting has been
called earlier than usual to permit the
committee to consider the closing down Of
the Union Pacific foundry in time to make
a demonstration at the meeting Of the city
council Monday afternoon, IL such a course
is deemed advisable.
Since the receipt OF the letter from the
Moulders' union asking that the club assist
the men In retaining the shops in this city
there have been some conferences between
members Of the club, but no course was de-
cided upon, as the matter is believed to be
one upon which the committee should act
together.
The question has, in the opinion Of the
moulders, resolved itself into one Of legal
construction. Members Of the union say
that II It is held that the foundry is no
part Of a terminal repair machine shops
there is little hope that the foundry will
be reopened shortly, and that the question
is one which must be settled between the
city and the company.
Awaiting International Omcers.
The officers Of the international union
have not arrived in Omaha and the ques-
ton Of declaring the action Of the COM
pany a lockout remains to be settled when
they arrive.
Fear is expressed that should the
foundry at omaha resume operations II will
be in the hands Of a contractor, who will
work the men on the piece system. A
year ago a report was current that the
machinlsts at the shop were to be placed
on piece work, but the rumor died without
being confirmed. Moulders now say that for
many years the question Of letting the work
of the foundry to a practical founder, to
be done at the Union Pacific foundry, has
been considered, but that It has never been
adopted, one reason or another interfering.
The members Of the union now claim that
IL 1t is decided that the company must
maintain the foundry at Omaha in accord
ance with the contract with the city, the
work will be let to a contractor and the
wages Of the men. on piecework basis, re-
duced below the cost Of living.
MouIders Issue Proclamation.
The executive committee OF the Moulders'
union has prepared an appeal to the citizens
Of Omaha as follows:
A committee of the city council will
meet at the city hall on Monday. April q,
great Importance to the city OF Omaha, to
which every citizen who is interested in
the welfare of our city is invited, and who
by their presence at least will show that
corporations cannot break sacred contracts
with this city without some protest from
its citizens.
The Union Pacific Railroad company
agreed with the city of Omaha to con-
struct and. maintain permanent terminal
machine shops. properly equipped with
machinery, including all necessary build
ings, tools and machinery for terminal
repair shops, in consideration of which
the city of Omaha decided 70 the railroad
company streets and alleys and thousands
of dollars worth of real estate.
We deem II to be the duty OF every
citizen to be present at that meeting, for
II the railroad company can shut down a
part OF the shops not specifically men
toned in its contract IL can shut down
permanently any other department not so
mentioned and thereby throw out of en-
ployment several hundred citizens.