Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-21
THE U. P. TROUBLE.
ALONG STRIKE, WITH THE END NOT
 YET IN SIGHT.

Principal Causes of the Difficulty.
 Gain For the Cause of Unfonism.
 Recognition, at Least, Secured.
 Strikers Firm, With Solid Ranks.
 The outlook for a settlement of the strike of the union machinists, boiler makers and blacksmiths of the Union Pacific Railroad company is regarded as discouraging both the strikers and the officials of the railroad refusing to yield one iota, says the Washington Star. The difficulty began June last, since which time it has grown in bit terness, and indications warrant the prediction that it will continue in force for several months to come-perhaps until next June.
 This strike has attracted widespread attention, not only among the respec-l tive crafts involved, but among the rank and file of organized labor gener- ally. It has thoroughly tested the strength of labor unionism and, it is claimed, proved that ''in union there is strength The officials of the Interna- tionaI Association of Machinists, who are located in this city; the Internation- al Union of Boiler Makers and Ship builders and the Brotherhood of Black smiths are naturally concerned, work men to the number of 1000 affiliated with those organizations being in- volved in the difficulty.
 According to statements of the off, ciaIs of the machinists' union, the strikers have not manifested the slight est desire to yield to their employers and are, as body, firmer today than at the time the strike was inaugurated. The workmen affected by the difficulty are paid weekly strike benefits by their respective international bodies and are receiving financial aid from other or ganizations and those persons who are in sympathy with them.
 From a labor viewpoint it cannot be said that the difficulty has not been productive of good. When the strike was inaugurated, the railroad officials were loath it is said, to recognize the union employee when considering the affairs of the company, but they finally relented and extended the hand of fel- lowship to the officials of the interna- tional labor unions with which the strikers are affiliated and made known their desire to have the difficulty adju- dicated. Subsequently there have been several conferences between the strike leaders and the officials of the railroad, but at none could the conferees agree upon any definite plan. A conference was recently held in Omaha, the strik- CTS being represented by men of their immediate organization and several of the international officers of the various bodies. The latter were present in re- sponse to an invitation extended to them by the railroad officials at pre- vfous meeting. This last conference was also productive of no agreement, both parties remaining steadfast to their convictions, and as a result the trouble is in very entangled state.
 The principal causes of the strike are that the union officials are unalterably opposed to the premium system of work, the men preferring to labor by the day; that the strikers believe they should receive an advance in salary of at least 15 per cent; that a new system of shop rules should be framed and regulations as to. the number of ap- prentices that should be employed be established.
 According to an official of the ma- chinists' association, the railroad men are desirous of inaugurating the pre- mium system, which has been the topic of much discussion at all the confer ences, and have expressed willing ness to grant the increase of pay and to frame new set of shop rules and reg ulations regarding. the employment of apprentices upon the condition that the strikers shall acquiesce in so far as the premium system is concerned.
 The officials of the machinists offer several objections to the premium sys- tends to urge men to produce to their utmost capacity and ability, thus rap idly wearing them out mentally and physically and in the end to suffer a reduction in wages. It is declared that as the men increase their output the company would unquestionably reduce the rate of pay agreed upon, as has been done, it is declared, in instances wherein the premium system has been practiced. The union officials also point out that in hurrying to make large pay the work turned out by the men would not be of as fine quality as produced under the present method.
 In other words, the labor leaders de- clare that there is no stability or relia- bility in the system proposed, for where men have labored under the pre- mium plan there has been a continual change in wages and conditions, a workman having no knowledge from day to day what his income will be the following day.
 Another Big Chicago Union.