The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-15

the railroad managers with an amended
schedule of wages and with power to act.
The amendments contained these three
propositions:
The Contentious.
s"First-No probations.
"Second--Straight time for all work
done by men paid by the month outside
of the ten hour day.
"Third-Truckers to get 171h cents an
hour"
Committees which went to the Santa
Fe, Chicago and Northwestern. Illinois
Central and other railroad managers are
said to have asked for scale of Is cents
an hour. This was half cent above
the schedule the managers had been as
sured by both the state board of arbitra-
ton and the Chicago business mems
board of arbitration would be accepted.
Some of the managers refused promptly
to consider the propositions; others told
the committees to return later in the
day.
Then Secretary Driscoll of the Chicago
board of arbitration was communicated
with, as was also John S. Field, Fl. B.
Steele and other members of the board
Some of the managers wanted to know If
the agreement of 1719 cents an hour for
the truckers which had been fixed and APP
proved by the board few days ago had
been abandoned. 1t were assured 1t had
not. Explanations followed and the fact
that is cents had been asked In some
cases angered the members of the local
board of arbitration.
Secretary Driscoil says that he learned
that some of the committee, instead of
submitting the schedule agreed upon,
presented others, and they did 1t under
the approval of President Curran of the
Freight Handlers Union, who said the
is cents would be asked and If refused,
171s cents would be asked,
Secretary DriscolI Bitter.
THAT puts US in a nice position before
the railroad managers said Secretary
Driscoll bitterly President Curran has
broken faith with us and has gone
squarely back on his word. That settles
matters between the board and the
freight handlers. We shall nave nothing
more TO do with Curran and his freight
handlers. Neither shall we attempt to
dissuade the teamsters If they desire to
return to work tomorrow. If they do
that, 1t means defeat for the freight
men,"
The general managers tonight issued
the following statement:
The thinking public of Chicago is in
terested In knowing the facts in regard
to the present strike, and 1t may draw its
own conclusions. AS has been stated be-
fore, an advance to the freight handlers
was made by the railro ads in April. There
was a further advance made effective
from July l. At the same time the Off
GERS of the companies expressed their
willingness to meet their employees to
confer with them about the wage scale
or any other grievances they might have.
On July the freight handlers stopped
work on all roads without notice or con-
ference. Subsequent to this, ON account
of pressure from the press and other
| -l-k H.. I11nx
were authorized by their union to meet
their employing officers. without, how
ever, being invested with any authority
to negotiate a settlement. Naturally no
reeult could or did come from such meet
irgs
During the last ten days great pressure
has been brought to bear upon the rail-
road officers to make any concessions
that could terminate the strike and the
teamsters in Chicago. In violation of the
pledges of their authorized officers and
against the advice of their officers, who
were disposed to stand firm, have struck
In order to bring further pressure to bear
upon the railroads.
Opposed to Concessions.
Railroad companies are as much con-
cerned In the welfare of Chicago as any
other vested interest yet they are op-
posed to making any concessions that
will result In yielding control of their
business to any labor organization.
First-The offers made by the railroad
companies April IA and July l gave a
substantial and adequate increase of
wages.
Second-In all conferences held between
the railway officials and committees of
employees IL has been conclusively shown
that as individuals the men are satisfied
with the terms offered them.
Third-A large number or the employees
have already returned to work. and
many others have expressed willingness
| to do go as soon as the prevailing dis
| order mas passed
| In this strike singular spectacle is
presented on the part Of organized labor.
| There is ON the one hand, a union, the
| members of which struck without notice.
| and whose officers would not permit its
me mbers to deal with their employers
while on the other hand another union,
whose members. without grievance of
| their own, have gone on sympathetic
| strike in complete violation of their own
| agreements with their employers made
but few weeks ago. This situation must
| have its discoura ging aspect to the law
| ABIDING rank and file among the labor
| unions SO many of whom. as individuals,
realize the absolute necessity of main
ta.ning the integrity of contracts and
| agreements with their employers when
made as in this case, through the inter-