Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-08
President Holder of S. F. of l.. and
Commissioner Brigham in City.
ARE In OTTUMWA ON BUSINESS
Mr.. Holder Thinks Machinists in Iowa
Central Shops at Marshalltown viii
Have Demands Granted--No Strike
on at Waterloo.


President A. E. Holder of the Iowa
State Federation of Labor. and Ed
ward d. Brigham, state commissioner
of labor, arrived in the city this morn
ing on the Rock Island on business.
President Holder in a conversation
with Courier representative in regard
to the strike of the machinists en-
ployed in the shops of the Iowa Cen
trail railway in Marshalltown, express
ed himself as being decidedly of the
opinion that the machinists would win
their point, and that the railway Off
Gals would find it necessary to make
the concessions demanded by their
employees. He also spoke OF the strike
now on among the buiiermakers in the
shops of the Chicago & Northwestern
railway at their various division points
in the state, and has no doubt but that
these workmen will be conceded the
desired advance in their scale.
The l. C. Machinists.
| In speaking about the situation of
affairs in Marshalltown Mr.. Holder
said: THE machinists in the employ
of the Iowa Central at their shops at
Marshalltown have been paid lower
rate than is paid by the other compa-
MES, and without question lower
rate than they were by all rights en-
titled to, the strike therefore is the
natural consequence of the action of
the road officials in trying to secure
their services at lower rates
than the customary scale, and
at a lower price than their
services demanded "The men
employed in these shops" said Mr..
Holder" have been working harder
and receiving less compensation for
their labor than is paid in other shops
and the officials WEI find that they
can not secure the services of compe-
tent men at the scale they were pay
ing before the machinists walked
out l have no doubt but that the
men will be successful in having che
advance they have demanded in the
scale, paid by their employers as the
Organization now effective among the
machinists is on the very soundest
footing, and they will see that justice
is done them" The scale that was
paid at Marshalltown before the ma
chinists went out on July 1, called fol
ten hour day at 2S1a cents per hour
and they have demanded new scale
calling for nine hour day at sc
cents an hour.
4 The BoiIermakers.
i In regard to the strike now existing
lamong the boilermakers of the Chica
-Igo & Northwestern road Mr.. Holder
said: "The men employed as boiler
makers in the G. & N w. shops al
their division points at Clinton, Boone
Missouri Valley Sioux City, Lake
City and Eagle Grove. are now out or
a strike, demanding that their scale
be raised from BIZ cents. to 35 cents
per hour. This advance they are en-
titled to and | have no doubt but tina,
they will compel the company to rec
lognize their demands"
No Strike at Waterloo.
i There is no truth in the rumor now
current that the employees in the shops
of the Illinois Central at Waterloo are
going on strike, or contemplate sucf
a STEP" said President Holder. "The
facts in the case are, that the men il
the employ of this company have
general adjustment committee, tt
which all questions of this nature ar,
referred, and this committee is now il
Chicago comforting with the officials o
the road relative to the establishment
of new scale. No intimation has
been made, however, and | am of tn,
opinion that there is not the slightes
danger that this course will be pur
sued" Messrs. Holder and Brigham
are the guests of local leaders in labo
circles while in the city.