The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-15

the shops AZ Argentine. Kan II lasted
from June 1882 10 June. 1893, and was
finally settled BY a compromise The
chief contention was over the subject
OF place work and the merits and de-
merits OF the piece work system are dis
cusssd al soma length by Mr. Johnson
IN the report He does not express ala
opinion as TO which IS 70 be preferred,
but leaves The inference that piece work
IS unjust to the Iaboring men IN sum
ming Up the result OF the Union Pacific
strike. Mr. Johnson says il was one Of
the greatest victories for organized Ia
Dor On record
STRIKES IN Topeka
There were three strikes in Topeka
during the year The first was the
strike OF the electricians OF the Missouri
& Kansas Telephone company which
started November = and lasted three
months The men demanded that the
company pay the union scale. as was
being paid 10 other electrical workers in
the city This the company refused 10
do. and imported other lab0rers- The
company agreeing 10 pay the union
scale with the exception OF lineuen. who
were obliged 10 accept 10 cents day
less than they demanded
The second strike in Topeka was that
Of the Sheet Metal Workers union or
timers. which commenced May l Thir-
~ men were involved and the strike
was settled in a few days by compro-
mise scale
on the same day. the fournevmen
bakers struck for the union scale. ana
all but four shops in tl=vn were union
ICED These four shops are still operat-
ing with nO1-union worknen-
COFFETyILLES SHARE
CoTeyvilIe did a large business in
strikes during the year The first one
started on September 3. when $50 men
employed by the Rea- Patterson Milling
company quit because the company dis
charged Al McNeal and Harry Gates.
two fremen- The strike lasted 4 year.
and came 70 an end when the company
consolidated with the SIeGrew Milling
with the union McNeal and Gates were
not re-eTnployed-
The girls employed by the North Star
paper mill at COffe<vllIe struck May
5. About 100 were involved They want
I'd more pay. but the company filed
their places and the strike was z fall
ure The failure was attributed 70 the
fact that the union was not thoroughly
orga Eized-
on April :. $50 men at the CofeyviIIe
brick plant struck because they object
ed 70 q system Of dockage which had
been adopted by the company The
company conceded the point. and the
strike was declared OF within d shot
time
JOHNSON AS INTERCESSOR
Pitfsburg had several other important
strikes one Of which was the strike Of
boiIermakers- naachinists and black
smiths On the Kansas City Southern
railway This strike started March .
1893. and was for an increase in pay
The company refused the demands and
also refused TO treat with the men Fol
f tt7a purpose Of obtaining q conference
Mr. johnson was given authority 6
{ communicate with President : z
Knott 81 the X c. Southern
President Knott refused 10 set CATE
i FOR a conference with the men, oui
agreed 70 meet and consult with Mr
+ Johnson, and the conference took plaes
at Kansas City. at President Knott
office Mr. johnson set forth the de-
rnands Of the men. and tried 70 sscur'
some concession. but was unable TO Dc
50 al that time The matter d-agg7e
aIo-z for some tfrne, and f-alfy va
ssttIed BY 4 compromise increase Il
wages
Another strike at Pitrsburg which !
still on involved the employees OF IN
Home Telephone company II started
March 2, and was over the question O