Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-12
MERCER TO SETTLE STRIKE
UAisn Pacific Scheme to Make Him Emiusary
Of Or glniSsd Labor.
GRAND STAND PLAY NEATLY PLANNED
Report Fails 70 rel How Mercer In-
tends 60 Hypnotise strikers In
Order 60 Secure Their
Authority.

Rumors Of the Union Pacihc's desire I,
settle the strike Of It's shopmen, which hav,
been current for several days, are more
persistently urged now than ever. despite
the company's apparent Indifference with
reference to this matter. From a gentle
man bearing close relation to the affairs Of
the Union Pacific comes this statement:
The Union Pacific has reached a point
when a settlement Of this strike must b
made. The time is fast approaching when
the immense grain crop must be transported
and President Burt and his associate on
cials know better than anyone else that their
motive power is in no condrtion to meet the
demands which this enormous tramc will
impose. consequently. in view Of these facts.
together with the positive stand Of the
strikers against taking the initiative. the
company has resolved to make advances for
terms Of peace.
1T fs my opinion that the company win
concede substantially all the demands asked
by the strikers in order to bring about an
immediate settlement. But this plan on
the company's part involves a little political
strategy which makes Il most interesting.
As I understand It, the scheme is for Con-
gresham Mercer to reap the glory OF
bringing about u settlement. This IL to be
undertaken by the railroad company having
Mercer profer his services to the strikers
as their emissary to approach the o~ficials
Of the Union Pacific in an effort to settle
the strike. Mercer is to convince the strik-
ers, before receiving credentials from them,
that he possesses the power to effect salts
factory terms between them and the COM
pany. This done. the grandstand play Of
the Second district congressman securing
complete concessions from the great rail-
road corporation for which the strikers
might have striven in vain for a year or
more will be enacted.
win Btd for Votes.
Then with the eyes and admiration Of the
people conferred upon him Mercer will
mount the pedestal and proclaim his new
role. that Of peacemaker between capital
and labor, incidentally filling his political
Golfers with the precious spoils OF his peer
less triumph"
Just how Mr.. Mercer counts on hoodwink-
ing the strikers into delegating to him this
means Of magic power is not made known,
but 1t is expected that events OF the future
will reveal the key to the situation.
District President Kennedy Of the boiler
makers n In receipt Of a letter from
National President Mcneil saying that he
has effected settlements in every boiler
makers strike over the country except the
Union Pacific. He will now devote a greater
part OF his time to the situation here.
President Kennedy and Secretary Grace
Of the machinists get similar reports from
North Platte through dinerent sources TELL
ing Of additional failures OF engines. An
other complains that the company is en-
ploying enough extra subordinate ~oficials
along the line to more than pay the de-
mands of the strikers.
The men In the Omaha shops were paid
on yesterday. The new employees are re-
ceiving their money on the grounds as a
precaution against DESERVING. At their early
meetings the boiler makers and m~achinists
repeated their urgent iniunctions against
violence and the strikers on picket avow
their intention. Of obeying these instruc-
lions to the letter.
Eight n~onunion men have reached the
Omaha yards from the east. A number Of
men left the shops after being paid OF. but
It is not known that they intend to abandon
their places. There was great commotion
when the new men who were given their
pay found they we're being locked" for
their board and laundry.