New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-10
OUT ON MOBILE And OHIO.
Efght Hundred Employees of the
Railroad Demand Higher Wages.

st. Louis. May 9-The conductors brakemen
yardmen and baggagemen of the Mobile and
ohio Railroad all along the line between St
Louis ana Mobile out on strike at $50
o'clock to-day because they not given a
10 per cent increase in wages for freight ser
vice and Z per cent increase for passenger
service. which they have been trying to get
since January last About eight hundred men
involved
W. G. Lee First Grand Master, and g. II.
wilkins. Grand Senior Conductor, have received
kilograms from various points between St Louis
and Mobile. saying the men walked out promptly
when notified by wire.
The strike was the result OF a canvass OF votes
among the employees An official statement was
given out this afternoon showing the conditions
of the strike.
St. Louis, May 9-The following official state
ment was given out here to-day by the repre-
sentatives of the employees of the Mobile and
Ohio Railroad Company:
st. Louis. May 9, 1903
To the Public: This is official notice that, fall
ing to agree satisfactory wage rates and otner
matters governing working conditions, and after
reach middle ground. satisfactory to ALL the con-
4o1e6 m b Mabe aad 6ho Railroad Voted al
most unanimously to leave the service of the com
eTEce gne See 1P oed fe 81 nd per cent
crease for passenger employees was granted, =.
Mobile on April %. with the hope that trouble might
be avoided de replied with a proposition
to about ~ per cent Increase for freight Qocal
freight excepted and 512 per cent increase Tor
passenger men, and refusing to regulate the Gus
OF running ''double-headers" satisfactory TO
the committee The original request OF me men
for increase of 10 per cent in freight ser
vice Qocal freight excepted, Z cent increase
in passenger service and satisfactory adjustment
of yard rates.
The men feel that the company has used every
method in order postpone final settlement, there
by causing unnecessary expense to thenr ana as
ductors ard Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen
and otheZs in train and yard service employed by
this company have voted and now instructed
to leave the service in body.
They Will all honorable means TO make the
strike effective but must permit or allow any
of violence to be committed. They have q right
peacefully to withdraw from the service, ana may
honorably influence others Of their craft 10 do like
wise
Employees of other companies, members of these
organizations. must not violate their schedules or
thy to influence them to become involved IN the
trouble G. II. WILKINS,
Grand Senior Conductor. o. r. c.
w. G. LEE, First Vice Grand Master B. X 7
c. s. Clarke. general manager Of the Mobile
and Ohio. in a statement given to the public
says that the strike Of the men has come as a
surprise to the company, and that the men quit
without notice.
The management, according to this statement,
met committees of last winter and granted
a percentage Of increase of pay. At the Mobile
and Ohio office it is stated that the increase
then granted was ~ per cent TO passenger and
81 per cent TO freight The officials say that
not more than six hundred men will be affected
by the strike It is stated that thus far the
passenger service has not been interrupted