Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-12-14
Or Trouble May Be Extended to Southern
Pacific Railroad.
HARTMAN TAKES A HAND IN THE GAME
Tslegraphs Mcneil to Confer with President
of Union Pacific
BURT LEAVES FOR EAST AFTER SESSION
Il IL Believed that He Goes TO Com
suit with Hartman About NegO-
tiations for settlement
of the strike.

The turning point has been reached in
the Union Pacific strike. One OF two things
is regarded certain: The beginning OF the
end is at hand or the strike will be spread
to the Southern Pacific and possibly the en-
tire Hartman system. Another week or
| less will determine the course.
President Burt OF the Union Pacific yes
| terday received in conference at his once
at general headquarters President John Nc
Neil Of the International Brotherhood OF
Boiler Makers and Iron Shipbuilders. Presl-
| dent Ed Kennedy of the district and local
| lodges and President Dave O'Donnell OF the
| boiler makers helpers Vital results ars
| understood to impend as a consequence OF
this conference Neither President Burt nor
President Mcneil. or either OF his associa-
ates, would. however, divulse the details of
this meeting. Mcneil said; I'VE were
most cordially received by President Burt
and had a very friendly talk"
This meeting Is of special significance,
partially because it is the first time the
strikers and officials have come together
since early In the stages OF the strike, and
really is the first and only time they have
met for the discussion of anything akin to
an adjustment OF diffcuties.
| 1t was learned from sources outside that
| President Burt had resolved to make a trip
| to New York to consult with higher off,
cials there, supposedly on matters relating
to the settlement of the trouble. He left
last night and 1t has been definitely
learned that all developments await his
return or word from him. 1t is believed
that when President Burt has reviewed
the situation with Mr.. Hartman and other
directors OF the Union Pacific in the east
| some tangible grounds of settlement will
appear.
Request of Mr.. Hartman.
Yesterdays meeting was called at the
special request Of E. II. Hartman, who
wired from New York to both President
Mcneil and President Burt. Preuident Nc
Neil and Mr.. Hartman had been In COM
munication for several days over ten en-
gines which were Ia use by the Union Pa
cihe. McNeil and other strike leaders
took the position that these engines. which
have but recently left the shops in the
east, were Southern Pacific engines and
we're turned over to the Union Pacific to
help it out Of its present dilemma. The
strike leaders made it plain to Mr.. Harri-
man that they would not tolerate this and
President Mcneil arranged to call every
boiler maker out on the Southern Pacific
system IL the engines we're not withdrawn.
The machinsts and blacksmiths prepared
for similar action. This information was
transmitted to Mr. Hartman in a telegram
by Mr. Mcneil. Hartman insisted that
the engines were not Southern Pacific en-
gines, but were built for the Union Pacific.
and President Burt urged the same thing.
Regardless of the actual ownership of
the engines, 1t is evident that Mr.. Harri-
man does not want any trouble on the
Southern Pacific and is doing everything
in his power to avert 1t. The strikers ap-
preciate this fact and, while opposed to
precipitatng new trouble, they appear to
be irm in their resolution that these en-
gines were built primarily for the Southern
Pacific and must be withdrawn from the
Union Pacific or a strike will be declared
on the former road. AS a matter of faet
, the strikers take the ground that the
Southern Pacific and Union Pacific are one
and the same, but since officials insist
otherwise they are determined to force
their proposition for the removal Of these
engines of war;"
Southern Men Are Ready.
kilograms have been received by Presi-
dent Mcneil from every division on the
Southern Pacific in response to those sent
r by him, saying that the men are ready
| to lay down their tools on a moments no
tice. II negotiations for a settlement,
which 1t is confidently believed have been
initiated, fail, or, in other words, II the
I Union Pacific and Southern Pacific oficials
4 positively refuse to withdraw these ten
{ engines, persisting in the claim that they
are Union Pacific property, ii can be stated
= on the word OF President Mcneil that he
will order a general strike on the Southern
g Pacific The general impression prevails.
however, that the influence of Hartman
will operate for the perfection of these
negotiations.
President Burt has just completed tour
: of the entire Union Pacific system. 1t Is
thought his views Of the situation have
been materially modified by this inspec-
ton However, the president yesterday
would not commit himself The very fact
d | Of his going to New York TO confer with
s other officials Immediately after inspecting
3 the system and discussing matters with
4 strike leaders is taken as evidence Of his
a willingness to settle on reasonable terms
b It cannot be disputed that the strikers
boiler makers, machinists and blacksmithI
have stood shoulder to shoulder since the
J. Inauguration OF the strike last June, sir
n months ago, when they refused to accept
q the piecework scale proposed by the UnioI
y Pacific and left the shops. Nor can it b'
gainsaid that the men have once weakened
l. or manifested a disposition to give up
n Their determination has been unyieldin'
from the first, they have displayed the LOS
" | serene air OF commence In thelr power anS
" ability to win. In this frame OF mind, will
adequate financial resources at their com
/ mand, the strikers have waged a system
attic and effective fight and there is NJ
N doubt but at this time these facts are for
chilly impressed upon the minds Of Presi
" dent Burt, Mr.. Hartman and others.
I shops Kept ia Operation.
E The company's shops have been kept fl
"a operation. It's true, but chiefly II not en-
!. tirely, as the strikers all along have main
tanned, by unskilled and incompetent work
men. The situation has been so eontrolle,
" by the strikers, together with natural con
ditions that II has been dificult indeed 10
the Union Pacific TO get hold Of men VIII
m we're thorough mechanics or up TO tn
: standard Of those who are on a strike
u Thousands OF men have come and gone an
hundreds are now in the employ Of tn