The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-06-07
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For some time the Santa Fe system
has been free from strikes originating
ON its own lines, but within the past
week strikes have occurred at two, and
possibly more. places on the lines west
Of Albuquerque, and conditions seemed
ripe for a time this week for a strike IN
Topeka, but it was happily averted-
The dissatisfied men are all in the
boilerma41ing department OF the road.
and it appears that the causes OF the.
different strikes are purely local in ma
ture. Yet the fact that SO many dim
culties have occurred simultaneously N
the same department indicates that
there is something radically wrong in
that department. Either the men are
too easily dissatisfied, or they are be-
ing mistreated.
The first strike was reported from san
Bernardino. where, from the press re-
ports, it seems that an attempt was
made to send one Of the boilermakers TO
some other town to work Upon his re-
fusal to go. he was discharged. Later
reports indicate that the question Of
wages is also entering into the dispute.
Men who have been imported to take
the places of the strikers refuse to work.
At Needles, Cal, a strike is in progress
by the boilermakers due. it is under
stood, to the desire of the men to be
paid the same scale of wages paid to
Southern Pacific boilermakers. There is
an uneonhrmed rumor Of strike at
Point Richmond, Cal, and Roswell. y.
M.
On Friday things reached a crisis at
the Topeka shops. An issue was made
on a case very similar to that at San
Bernardino. A man was instructed to
go to Roswell He refused and was
discharged. Later he was reinstated to
avoid trouble" The Santa Fe officials
of the mechanical department evidently
realized that the situation was serious
1t is difficult to find the real cause for
so much dissatisfaction but the fact re-
mains that it exists in the Santa Fe
boilermaking department. Some claim
that it is because the men want more
pay. Others say that the men dislike
the officials over then,
There is one theory advanced which is
original to say the least. However, an
experienced railroad man is the author
of it. and it is worthy Of serious con
sideration He says that the boilermak-
ers are an exceedingly nervous, irrita-
bic class of men, rendered so by the
lltAtGn0OuS Jill anu GOuIGS1OiA III W4A4LA
they are continually obliged to perform
their daily tasks. Hot weather renders
them still more liable to lose their
heads and take offense at some act Of
the company which they would not re-
sent if in the other departments. It is
claimed that the foremen in charge of
the boiler shops recognize this peculiar
feature of the men under them. and
have to conduct themselves with ex-
ceptional care to avoid friction and
trouble. There may be nothing to this
theory. but it is certainly interesting.
1t is unfortunate that strikes should
occur The officials of the Santa Fe
have nearly always manifested a desire
to treat their employees fairly both in
the matter of wages and required work.
The distractions have been mainly of
a temporary nature. and it is likely that
the boilermakers' strike win be adjust
ed satisfactorily to both the men and
| the company