Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-08-28
RUMBLE OF HUGE STRIKE ON
RAILROADS HEARD.
CONTINUED From Page ID

wages were lower than those paid in
the far northwest, in what are known
as the mountain group, and also in
the southwest group. Wages in these
various groups also varied considera-
bly,, due largely to the fact that the
cost of living varied. Furthermore,
western railroading used to be far
more hazardous than on eastern roads,
which were well established and more
efficiently operated.
Conditions have changed in this re-
spect and western roads have been
brought up to standard but in the
meantime hard times came on, with
the consequent necessity for reduction
in operating expenses. This led ma
Ijority of the railroads in the country
to lower wages from 10 to IL per cent,
with tacit understanding that better
times would bring restoration of for
mer scales.
Ominous dead Line"
In order to obtain this restoration,
however, labor organizations were
compelled to make demands. Accord
ingly, for two years or more this pro.
cess of restoration and equalizing of
wages among railway employees has
been going on. The result was to be
expected. The labor organizations
have finally encountered what they are
pleased to term a dead line By
this phrase they mean that there are
no more discrepancies in wages. Ac-
cordingly, when demand is made UP.
on railway management for increas-
ed wages, the reply is made that the
wages paid are equal to those on any
other system, and the management
sees no reason why their company
should pay more than others.
Concerted action directed at terrific
rial groups of railroads, it is thought.
will make it impossible for railroads
to use this strong argument. The
committees appointed to represent the
employees will back up their demands
by facts and figures, displaying the
increased revenues enjoyed by rail
roads during the last two or three
years, and will also show that the
wages of employees have not made a
corresponding advance. Demand will
be made for percentage increase in
proportion to the percentage increase
in railway net earnings.
Great Question ARISES.
The first question which will con-
front the railway management Is
whether they shall set precedent by
consenting to treat with employees in
the aggregate, for such a system once
established would work revolution
in labor movements. In the end 1t
would mean one general committee
representing all railways and another
representing all the employees of rail-
ways. The railways, however, will
not refuse to treat with the men in
some manner. for such a course would
be suicidal One Official stated yes
teraay that they all recognized the
fact that the issue had to be met and
that there was no sense in trying to
dodge it.
A general increase in the wage
scales of operating employees is view
ed with alarm by railway officials, be-
cause there is a general belief that
the high water mark in railroad earn.
ings has been reached. IL is expected
that within year OF two the pendu-
lum will begin to swing backward, as
it always has at the close of decades,
and the process of pruning will have
to begin agadn Probably few rail-
way arrangements would be averse to
raising wages in general,proviued they
were certain that the present degree
of prosperity would be permanent. AS
rule, however, executive officials be.
lfeye that under present conditions
generating employees of railroads are