Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-19

Is an incentive to rapid work. There Il
much machinery Of the road which we have
for years bought in other cities which We
hoped to max In Omaha. We could no,
make II here when the men did not work
faster because our machinery was occupied
and we were working apparently to our full
capacity. With the new shops completed
and the men striving for the premiums we
believed that we would be able to handle
practically all Of the work at home. II
our expectations we're borne out we would
employ more machinists and other work.
men rather than fewer. as lie claimed by
the men.
so far as the company is concerned it's
oner not to cut wages for a year and 10
pay the premium as here outlined stands
today the same as when It was made. We
will take back any old workman who ap-
plies. as long as we have room for them.
but we have secured a number Of good men
since the strike began and we certainly
will not discharge them. I have had some
OF the old employees come to me since the
strike and tell me they would like to 20
back. but could not do It, as they could
not bear to carry the name OF 'scab.' So
far as I know the company stands where II
did the day the men went out.
Says Company Has Kept Faith.
The walk-out Of the car builders which
took place today is not because of anything
the company has done. It has kept it's
agreement to the letter. III men heard
rumors Of all kinds and they went out be-
cause they were afraid the company would
not stand to its agreement. Their position
would have been better had they waited
until the company failed to comply with
the terms Of the contract and they could
have added breach OF faith with the men
to their charges against the company. The
public does not like a breach of faith and
the men could have had far more SYM
PATTY than they will now when they have
gone out through fear. My word was out
to those men that every man on the pay
roll would receive the same wages he was
receiving at the time the promise was
made for one year unless he received more
under the premium plan. They would not
believe nor give me time to make mp
word good. l have heard that the men
were not all permitted TO vote on the prop
ositton to quit work, but that only a part Of
them were given that privilege and the
others told to come out or suffer the conse-
quences."
Original Strikers to Help.
The 1856 or more car carpenters and paint
80 IA WoAhSu u VI lub buODB yesterday |
morning are likely to have the sympathy
counsel and collaboration OF the original
strikers.
This is something Of a change in the at
titude OF the original strikers, who yester-
day morning declared that they had had
nothing to do with influencing the carpen-
tiers and painters and didn't intend to in
future, but the revolution is explained by
an old strike leader, who said:
Those men appear to be sincere in their
purpose and we have concluded that It is no
more than our duty to counsel with them
and assist them In perfecting organization.
They had the courage to come out without
previously organized or afiliated with
any strong body ssd without a treasury that
they could rely on for a dollar. They have
entered into the struggle with a sacrificing
and reinforced our line Of pick
cts tonight with nearly fifty Of their own
men. The company's statement Of the num-
Der Of men now left in the shops is exag-
but l can't give accurate figures
Just yet"
Representatives of the original striking
bodies conferred with the carmen yesterday
at various times between the meetings OF
The latter. The meetings bore fruit to the
extent Of temporary. organization by the
election OF j. A. White as temporary presi-
dent, John B. Evans as temporary secretary
and Dan Ricketts, as temporary treasurer.
They meet again this morning at 10 o'clock
10 hear the report Of committees which are
now comforting with older bodies on meth
DDS Of organizing and getting In touch with
the carmen at Cheyenne, North Platte,
Armstrong and other principal points.
Union Carmen stick.
Speaking of the strike Of the carmen, F.
A. Jack. secretary OF the executive COM
which made the agreement OF July
with the company, made the following
statement on behalf OF the members Of the
Brotherhood of Railway Carmen who have
at work in the Union Pacific shops,
he upper and lower yards and in Council
Bluffs:
The members Of the union want the
to know that this is not a strike of
he union, but that the ~nonunion men, with
'uch union workers as they could get to
30 out through fear Of being called scabs,
rave called the strike. The union as an or
yanization is strictly keeping the agreement
made with the company on July 7, which
was to run for one year. The union will
by the agreement as long as the com-
oany does. So far there has been no com
plaint made on which a grievance coud be
1reRented IN tha comnanV