The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-18
ADDRESS TO SWITCHMEN
GRAND MASTER f. y. HAWLEY
HEARD AT MACHINIsTs' HALL.
He Excoriates the OfHcinIs of other
Railway OrganiEatiOns-La-
Dor News.

Grand Master r. T. Hawley, of the
Swltchmen's Union of North America, last
night addressed an open meeting of the
switchmen in Machinists' Hall at Alabama
and Washington streets. A large part OF
his address was devoted to a review of the
recent strikes Of the switchmen I'm Denver
and Pittsburg. In mis- remarks he alluded
To the attitude of the Brotherhood of Rail-
way Trainmen and other railroad organi-
cations toward the switchmen's union in
these strikes, telling how they attempted
TO replace strikers with member OF their
respective organizations. He said that the
national officers of these organizations
claimed jurisdiction over the switchmen,
and. having contracts with the railroad
companies. asserted the right TO enforce
them regardless Of the position of the
members of the Switchmen's Union. He
said he did not find fault with the organi-
cations, that he believed they were neces-
sary institutions, but he made several cut
ting remarks about their official heads. He
asserted that one of these officers had said
that he would break up the Switchmen's
Union as well as all other labor organiza-
tons in Colorado when the switchmen were
on strike in Denver.
1890 - 1888 ~ NAh~ NANS - 0N~N
the switchmen in recruiting the ranks of
their organization. The Brotherhood of
Railway Trainmen, which claims jurisdic-
ton over the yards and employees, is the
stumbling block i'm the way of the Switch
mems Union of North America in this and
every other city in the United States where
they have attempted independent organiZa-
ton. The night is the old question Of trades
autonomy and one that has involved many
labor organizations OF the country. In
other cities the trainmen make the work.
ing schedule for the switchmen. sign con-
tracts with the railway companies indie
pendently or switchmen other than those
affiliated with the trainmen and in many
places succeed in establishing them as
working rules. Grand Master Hawley said
there is no city in the United States where
the swttchmen need assistance and a re-
duction In hours and increase In wage
more than in Indianapolis, and he said with
the majority behind him he would agree
to better their condition. He said IL was
no idle promise, and with the proper forces
II would only be repeating what had been
done in other cities. The swttchmen here
are not working under schedules made by
the Brotherhood Of Railway Trainmen. An
attempt was recently made to establish
such a schedule on the Monon, which near
ly resulted in a strike. Hawley said the
switchmen have been working under the
same conditions for years, under the juris-
dictiOn of the other railroad organizations,
and received no benefits, while those or
ganiZatiOnS have received increases in
wages and other concessions. He said the
switchmen had been made to carry the
brunt of the labor question on the rail-
roads by the other organizations and that
they would never receive any benefits until
they came into the Switchmen's Union and
stood alone.
After his address f.. j. Collins, business
agent of the Machinists' Union, delivered a
short address. As a trustee Of Central La
Dor Union he asked the switchmen TO at
hliate with the central body, and pointed
out to them the benefits that would be de-
rived by having a representative in Cen
trail Labor Union. Edwin r. Gould also
spoke along the same line. The switchmen
will consider the invitation of Mr.. Collins.
+. McKain, representing the Metal Pol
ishers' Union, spoke on behalfo of the metal
poiishers who are on strike at the Dayton
Cash Register Company's plant. He said
the strike began May 3. 1901, and the men
were still out. The strike was precipi-
tated by the discharge of a worker in the
organization. Mckain said the foreman
called all of the metal polishers together,
drew a line in the middle of the floor di-
viding the union from the %nonunion men
and said TO the union men, Now you have
made your bed. lie in it,"