The Indianapolis journal., 1903-05-23
NO NOSYMPATnETIC STRIKES
SwITCHMEN DECLARE AGAINST
SUCH COURSE IN FUTURE.
Number Of Vice Presidents Reduced
and District Organizers Provided
For-Re-EIection Of Officers.

The Switchmen's Union of North Amer
lea, in convention yesterday, gave voice to
its views In sympathetic strikes when
resolution was adopted declaring sympa-
thetic or sentimental strikes. or strikes or
any kind except as a last resort and suf-
fciently justified, are detrimental TO the
prosperity of the union as well as a vio-
lation Of the agreements between the work.
men affiliated with IL and their employers.
The resolution simply voices the opinions
Of the officers and members Of the union.
The switchmen settle their difficulties with
railroad managers through arbitrators in
whom are vested authority to act. Strikes
are ordered only when necessary, and the
union yesterday declared its purpose to re-
fuse to strike in sympathy with other or
ganizations where the, interests of the
switchmen themselves are not directly in
volved.
The declaration has a far-reaching ef-
feet. With the switchmen of the railroad
yards of the country on strike freight cam
not be handled. No matter how many
trainmen would continue at work and no
matter what effort might be made to break
in new men, nothing could be accomplished
and a general strike of the switchmen in
the organization would completely paralyze
the shipments of freight.
Mayor Bookwalter appeared before the
switchmen yesterday to speak to them in
a welcome to the city. The mayor excused
himself for his compulsory declination Of
the invitation to accompany the switchmen
on the excursion round the Belt Railway
and the trip to Broad Ripple Sunday, and
said that his visit yesterday was in the
nature of an apology for his inability to
spend more time with them. The mayor
was introduced by Mayor ]. T. Mcmillan,
Of Ashtabula, o., who temporarily sue
ceeded Grand Master Hawley as chairman.
Mayor BOOkwalter said the railroad men
were his friends. He said he had worked
a railroad man as fireman on the Wa
bash road and his love for the men who
followed the rail was great and always
would be. Mr.. Bookwalter invited the
switchmen to have good time in Indian
apolis and come again. He said while he
would not tender them the keys of the
city-the keys have been presented TO half
dozen other conventions this week-he
would say that the switchmen could have
the part Of Indianapolis wanted by them
and he was sure from his knowledge of
railroad men that they would improve the
territory they selected.
FEWER VICE PRESIDENTS.
Yesterday the convention took the action
suggested by the leaders of the union and
reduced the number of vice grand masters
from five 10 three. 1t also created the
office of district organizer and divided the
country into three districts. These organ
izers, at a salary of $50 per month, will be
expected to transact all business within
their territory without the necessity of re-
ferring 1t to the headquarters in Buffalo.
The union, in adopting this plan,
guided to the action by the success OF the
mine workers in their district organiza-
tions. which have been found to be invalu-
able.
Resolutions of thanks to the railroads of
the country for the transportation fur
nished the delegates to the convention were
adopted. and a specific vote to the Lake
Shore road for the special train for the
thanking Indianapolis for its treatment,
Hugh j. MCGOWAN for courtesies and the
local committee for its work were adopted
under a suspension of the rules. After
this action the convention proceeded to re-
wise the constitution. and were busy grind
ing away at that task during the entire
day.
WILL HOLD UNTIL WEDNESDAY.
NJ. r. Welsh, secretary-treasurer of the
lodge, will return to Indianapolis Monday
to take I'D his work in the convention.
Mr.. Welsh telegraphed yesterday from Buff
falo that his wife is greatly improved. and
he would be able to leave her to-day The
convention will be in session until wednes-
day. On that day the election of officers
will be held-probably a reelection of the
present incumbents-and the delegates will
choose a convention city for the next BIZ
ennial meeting. Indianapolis. Fort Worth
Tex, and Buffalo, ~. Y, want the conven-
ton. Indianapolis is making a strong bio
for ii, and yesterday the announcement
was made that larger subscriptions than
the original offer-S3. .OOO-would be made
A hastily organized wrecking crew, pro-
vided with block and tackle and other
tools. made an excavation in the bed of
Charles Wolf, of Buffalo, one of the book
keepers of the union. in his hotel early
yesterday morning, and rescued it's occu-
pant from a living burial in plaster which
had fallen on him from the ceiling About
half the ceiling dropped suddenly early
yesterday morning and buried Mr. Wolf
despite his struggles and calls for assist
ance. When he was rescued he was found
TO be uninjured but he was a sorry look
ing switchman.