Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-08
cEPT PlEcEwoRK WITH A GUARANTEE
Vew Scale Allows Premium to Most
Rapid WOrkmen.
,MPANY CLAIMS TO Be IN GOOD SHAPE
officials Say Operations Are Going on
as Usual.
STRIKERS STILL HOPEFUL FOR SUCCESS
MachiniSts, Boiler Makers and Black
smiths Disappointed, but Not
Discouraged by Action of
the Car Builders.


The car builders over the Union Pacific
system will not strike II those Of the
Omaha shops can prevent them. The local
car men decided yesterday afternoon to
accept the companys proposition and con-
tinue at work Inder its provisions for
one year. Their action will be communi-
Gated all along the line and it is believed
will be indorsed and followed by the car
builders in other shops.
This rather unexpected turn In affairs
has aroused considerable interest as vic
tory for the railroad. For days the strik-
ers expressed themselves as absolutely
confident the car builders would refuse
to accept the compapy's terms and Join
the other shopmen, thus effecting a COM
plete tieup of the system On the other
hand the officials have displayed no un-
of this result and the car build
ers discretly kept their own counsel al
lowing others to prophesy for them. The
strikers maintain that the action OF the
Omaha car builders, even II indorsed by
the craft all over the system. will not
weaken their cause.
Car Builders Agreement.
Inc proposition WnlCn the car DuilderS
agree to and propose to work under for
one year is the same as that entered into
with the officials some two weeks ago,
except that 1t contains a piecework pro-
viso. The company guarantee that every
man shall make at least as much as he
did under the old daily wage scale and
will get a premium for all over SO day.
The system is properly termed a premium,
rather than a nieceWork aNale
The committee of car builders met Su-
perintendent w. r. McKeen at his once
yesterday morning at 10 o'clock and re-
mained in conference until about noon,
when recess was taken until in the
afternoon. F. A. Jack, chairman OF this
committee. at once arranged a meeting
OF all the car builders at Sixteenth and
Cunning streets. where the result Of the
conference was laid before the men for
their approval or rejection. The hall was
crowded, all the local car builders and
their helpers being present.
Discuss the Proposition.
The entire agreement. which contained
the signatures of the highest oficials OF the
road. was read. Several OF the more promi-
nent car builders discussed the proposition
and the sentiment was plainly in favor OF
Of the committeeman who met with Mr.. Nc
Keen assured his fellow workmen that the
company had pledged itself 'in white and
black" to stand by "this agreement for one
year" and that under this provision no man
would suffer any reduction in his earnings,
but on the other hand would exceed his
former income In many cases. Naturally
enough less rapid and skillful workmen
would not surpass their original wages, but
this was considered no injustice.
The committeeman urged their associates
to accept this agreement and devote the
coming year to perfecting a thorough or
ganization. There are many OF the car
builders not members Of the union and It
was thought best to get ali these in before
undertaking a strike.
Admit Organization IL Weak.
I'VE all know" said one Of the speakers,
that our organization in this city is weak
and that 1t is weak all over the system, and
we cannot help but know that II we went
into a general strike we would stand poor
chances OF lettering our condition. Let
every nonunion man in this hall come into
the union and make the union strong and
endurable, then II on the 7th Of July, 1908,
the company has failed to live UP to this
agreement or we think we are not getting
n
sition TO press demands"
There were cries OF "Goodi" That's
right" and then there was some expression
OF displeasure at these remarks, but in the
majority OF cases they we're approved.
A motion was made TO put the question
to an open vote. but some objected so
strongly to this that secret ballot was
taken. It resulted in the acceptance Of the
agreement. The car builders, therefore.
will proceed with their work today as usua
and in the meantime r. A. Jack, chairman
OF the executive committee, will communi-
cate with the car builders over the system
and will be in a position within a few days
to announce the ultimate action OF the car
men.
OmcIaI Talks of situation.
An ofnciaI Of the Union Pacific said after
the conference with the car men:
I'VE have guaranteed the men that they
will make as much under the piecework
system as under their former scale and as
matter Of fact the best workmen will 60
far beyond their old wages. They will not
regret It II they accept our proposition. II
would have been better for all the shopneu
TO have accepted this kind Of a proposition
However, we have no desire or intention OF
crowding these men, the mAchinists and
blacksmiths. in making a hnal decision
We want them to have suficient time Ia
nnd out Just where they are in this affair
and when they determine this we believe
they will be ready to make terms"
How long will the company wait or
these men for their ultimatum," was asked
"oh. we can't exactly tell that" the ON
cial replied. but IL is possible that II by
next week they have not come to some de.
cision something will be done. II by that
time they are not ready to make terms tht
company may take steps 10 I'LL their places
on a larger scale than has yet been done
OF course new men are gradually being en-
ployed and we have more on hand now thar
is generally known. We have at least
about fifty men in all in our Omaha shops
Facilities All Right.
II want to say regarding the reports
| that our equipment and facilities are de-
moralized as a result OF the strike. tha
i