Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-27
READY FOR STRIKE
Machinists Expected to Submit Demands to
Union Pacific Today.
COMPANY is NOT EXPECTED TO AccEDE
If Demands Are Refused Strike Will Be
Over Entire System.
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION LEADERS HERE
They Declare Union is Financially Fit for
Long Struggle.
RATIONAL ORGANIZATION LEADERS HERE
PROMISE SUPPORT TO BOILER MAKERS
Men Say Strike VIII Come UnIesH
Company Recognises Union and
Grants Increase of Wages
at once.

Union Pacific boiler makers who are on
strike from now on will have the staunch
support and cooperation Of the maehinists.
many Of whom are idle by virtue of the
company's action In reducing its shop force
| and all Of when will be idle by their owu
| volition II the company rejects semenda
which they expect to PRESENT today. In
| view Of the united action OF the boiler
makers and machinists the strike assumes
graver aspects and promises a severe and
probably prolonged struggle unless terms
can be reached very soon.
The workmen are lining up for battle.
Besides the members OF the maehinists' ex-
ecutive committee two national officers OF
the union are in the city and will take
matters in their own hands D. w. Rode
! rick OF Chicago, manager Of the associated
districts, which comprise all the maohinists'
unions of the western roads, and T. L.
Wilson, fourth vice president of the ma
tional organization, with headquarters at
! st. Paul, are on the grounds. Mr.. Roderick
will remain a day or two counselling over
the situation and the affairs will then be
placed under direction of Mr.. Wilson.
! May Strike Today.
Since the arrival Of these men II IL
|
| refuses to grant the demands of the ma
chinlsts a strike may be declared within
| twenty-four hours. which will be general
over the entire system. Their demands are
| precisely those submitted and rejected at
| former conferences and pertain first to the
| recognition of the union and the employ
| ment Of none but union men and second TO
an increase in wages. Furthermore. the
company will be informed that the men
| protest against piece work and will not
| submit to that system.
| This statement was made to a reporter
for The Bee Thursday evening:
THE machinists' union is in this fight for
its rights. 1t wants to jeopardize no in
terests of the Union Pacific nor those Of
any other concern or individual. 1t simply
seeks fair play and must have 1t.
I'VE believe the Union Pacific will hear
us and will treat fairly with us. When the
boiler makers, machinists and the oficials
! get together we look for an amcable set
tlement of the whole trouble. But, on the
other hand. we are prepared for a battle II
1t cannot be averted. Our union every
where is eager for a strike II that is neces-
sary. II you could see the messages that
are constantly coming to us you could ap-
preciate the unanimity Of sentiment In
standing out for our rights
Union Prepared Financially.
1--WE will be prepared financially for n
bitter struggle. All our local unions have
proffered liberal support and we can de-
pend upon the national organization, which
is, by the way, In excellent financial condi-
tion. We hope a strike can be averted"
This question was asked the machinists:
"If the railroad company grants the ma
chinists' demands and agrees to restore
them to work will the fact that the boiler
makers are still out and their demands ig-
nored deter the machinists from accepting
the company's concessions aud quietly re-
turning to their work?"
I'VE will, first and last, refuse to work
with scab' boiler makers" was the reply.
"And there is no other way by which the
railroad company can fll the boiler makers
places and retain harmony than by employ
ing union boiler makers. OF course, II ID
| taken for granted that the shops cannot
operate without boiler makers
Expect to See OmciRIs Rt Once.
The machinists expect to meet the ON
cials OF the road today or tomorrow. When
ever this conference takes place they will
demand that every non-union machlnist and
helper in the service OF the Union Pacific
be discharged and the places allied with
union men.
Asked how soon strike would be de-
clared II the machinists failed to make
terms with the company, a prominent rep
resentative of the union replied: Pcs
sibly within twenty-four hours"
1t is not probable that the company will
accede to the demand OF the maehinists
that all nonunion employees be discharged.
II takes the position that the union shall
not dictate terms to II, nor will II dictate
! terms ~ In
that the Union Pacific has not and is NOT
now fighting the unions. It employs union
and non union men, but a majority OF the
former. and has always been known as a
union road.
Car Builders Hold Conference.
The car builders and officials are still de-
libersting over the requests of the former.
A conference of two hours was held yester-
day morning and another one in the
afternoon. The situation In Omaha has
been covered and those Of outside points
are to be taken up next Another meeting
may be necessary to complete the work.
Both sides seem satisfied with the prog
ress OF events and Il is still believed that
an amicable adjustment OF differences viii
be reached. The length OF time consumed
in arriving at a conclusion is due to the
very complicated schedules under whien
the car builders work.
The boilermakers were encouraged yes
terday morning by a report from Evanston
saying the Union Pacific had approached
boilermakers there with a proposition to
take them back IL they would return or give
them the alternative Of taking their time
checks and leaving the company's employ
entirely. The men chose the latter. The
bollermakers also affirm that the same
tactics have been adopted here and that
number OF their men have been offered as
high as S5 cents an hour by the company
II they would return to work. But all
refused. This is taken by the boilermakers
as an indication Of the company's willing
ness to settle the strike, even II at the
strikers own terms.
Officials Of the road declare that no over
lures have been made TO the boilermakera
since Monday which came from authoritative