The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-05

Negotiations for higher pay were
opened to-day by conference between
railway trainmen and railway managers,
IN accordance with the plans previously
arranged #tt3 irtfts
There are six committees in the twin
cities, four in st. Paul and two in Min
neapols. a1z% .5-z-s.. =.
In st. Paul conferences are with the
Northern Pacific. Great Northern, tha
Omaha and the Chicago Great eWstern.
In Minneapolis, the 500 line and the St.
Louis are interested The general offices
of all other railway companies entering the
twin cities are located either at Chicago
or, Milwaukee, where other conferences
are being held.
The trainmen We're disappointed at the
non-arrival Of Vice President George Lee,
of the Brotherhood Of Railway Trainmen.
A committeeman said that sOne Of the
general officers was expected in day, or
two. Mr.. Lee will doubtless come himself.
He is now In Chicago holding conference
with the other. railway managers.
What the Men Ask.
The first authentic statement of the
actual demands Of the men was made to
7 h . urnal by a manager. Ie said:
s'For. several years there has been a
standard scale Of wages for railway train
men throughout the west. This scale
went into effect in 1890. or therea bouts.
THE scale allowed conductors cents a
mile and braEemen Q cents. There has
been some advance in the pay allowed
conductors and brakemen on way or local
freight trains. but the standards have not
been changed materially.
1.-The demand now made upon us is for
a fiat increase Of 20 per cent.
Demands are also made by portion
| of the switchmen, which fact seems to
have escaped the attention of the press.
Recently switchmen employed in the
larger yards secured a. raise. To foremen
was allowed SO. cents an hour for night
work and 81 cents an hour for day work.
Night switchmen got 30 cents an hour
| and day switehmen % cents an hour.
/ THE men now ask. that this scale,
which is called the. Chicago scale, be ex-
tended to include the switchmen employed
in the smaller yards. There are other
minor matters to be discussed and 1 do
! not expect that g.. settlement will be
reached under Two weeks Our relations
with our employees land I think I can
! speak for the other }companies) are
amicable and we expect to arrive at a
mutually satisfactory agreeme emit =. j.
u - A Compromise Predicted.
The manager of another company pre-
dcted that a compromise would be
| reached. He would not say On what basis.
but the generally accepted theory is that
the men will receive from to 10 per cent
The coast lines will not grant as large
an increase as the eastern lines; for the
reason that they already pay more; espec-
tally on the mountain divisions. An in
crease of 20 per cent would mean an nj
crease in operating expenses of from
$3.50. 900 to $1,000, 600 annually. I'D
:sTo-day's conferences were preliminary,
owlng:,to the. nonarrivalz Of the general
officers of the brotherhoods. Each road
will deal with it's own employees, but the
| plan Ct the men Is to hold general meet
irgs among themselves at central hall
where Anal actiql sFial be dedided on. y
As i'll the case Of the recent conferences
between the managers and the switch
men, the men will receive advice and vir-
tual instructions from the chiefs Of thei,
orders. !. -s.... e. =. >t>s .-