The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-03-21
RAILROAD NEWS.
Kansas City Southern Strike Is
Peaceful One.
Imported Mechanics Are Doing
the Work in Machine Shops.
CAREFULLY GUARDED.
New Employees Are Living at
the Shops.
CAREFULLY GUARDED.
Employees of Other Departments
In Sympathy With Strikers.

A special dispatch from Pittsburg,
Kas-, to the Kansas City Journal says:
There is nothing new in the strike stu
alton at the Kansas City Southern
shops. The company officials announce
that the shops are running as if no
strike was on and that the men who
have been shipped in are doing the work
in the mechanical department. The
machine department. blacksmith shop
and boiler shop are all in operation and
men have taken the places of nearly all
OF the strikers. A number of men ar
rived last night on a special train from
Kansas City, swelling the number Of
imported mechanics who are being
cared for at the shops to nearly 125.
The train which brought the first body
of imported men in brought 200 cots and
bed clothing so that the company is
prepared 10 accommodate that many
workmen. There has been no trouble
from the strikers as the latter have re-
manned away from the shops and not
attempted TO cause any disturbance
The picket line and armed guards are
more for the purpose OF preventing the
strikers from talking with the imported
men and urging them 10 quit work than
10 protect them, as the latter is consid-
cred unnecessary, no threats having
been made.
Every effort is being made, however,
by the company and the deputies to
prevent the strikers from talking with
the men who are working, and IN this
they are successful The men remain
on the company grounds and while they
have liberty to leave the premises II
they desire. they do not do so super
lutendent MOru Roberts made the men
a talk today and told them that while
they We're at liberty 10 leave the shops
and so UP town if they desired, that the
company would guarantee them no pro-
lection outside of the line OF guards.
A barber shop has been esta bhshed on
the grounds and everything that the
men need is provided for them in the
cOmmissary-
The company purchased working
clothing and provided the men with
jumpers and tools. Every inducement
is offered the men to remain on the
grounds at work and the company
claims that they are doing so.
The contracts which the company re-
Quired the imported men to sign provide
that the men shall receive the scale of
wages paid by the company before the
strike was inaugurated and that at the
end Of so working days the company
shall pay a bonus OF 81 for each day 5
work
This part of the contract provides as
follows. 1t is further agreed that at
the end of 80 working days of faithful
and efficient service the party of the
first part, the company, viii pay to the
party Of the second part the men en-
ployed, bonus of 81 for each day
work. it being understood. however. that
no portion of this bonus shall be due
and payable TO the party Of the second
part until 30 full working days or lallh-
full service has been rendered The
contract is signed by j. +. Dickinson,
general superintendent OF the road.
A number of the union workmen en-
nloved in the car and coach department
have quit work in sympathy with the
strikers in the mechanical cepaI tiilelll
and efforts are being made to bring not
ONLY the rest of the men at work in
these departments, but also the en-
plOyes in the store room department and
Offices out
There is a good deal of dissatisfaction,
however. and a large number of the
employees of the company do not sym
pathize with the original bringing on OF
the strike Some of the more conserNa-
tive OF the employees OF the mechanical
department who struck when the order
was given. are inclined to urge that
steps be taken toward bringing apout q
peaceful settlement of the controversy.
and it is believed by many that the
company would be willing TO meet such
a movement at least half way. 1t IS as
serted that the company is under great
EXPENSE maintaining its present ATTITUDE,
and that it would be willing to encour-
age some move toward settlement Oh
the present situation.
1t is not known. however, that any
stems have as vet been taken toward a
ccsnurcrnise on either part In the
meantime the company. apparently re-
gardless of expense. is going aheaG
maintaining its determination to work
the shops regardless of the strike.
Tn this way they are more o. less sue
cessful and while it may be as the
strikers declare, that comparatively few
Of the imported men are competene
mechanics. yet enough work is being
accomplished to keep the motive power
n0Tfif-
ton would DrC baby continue indeil~
uitelv. although at an enormous expense
to the railroad company The strikers
are urudently avoiding any demonstra-
ton against the men at work, and to-
day, on account &C the rain. none Of
the strikers were seen about the shops
The guard line was maintained today
the same as yesterday. and although
the guards had nothing to do save loaG
around with their guns, Yet a vigilanL
eye was kept that 10 person enter the
shop premises without a pass from Su-
+ 1er3ntendent Roberts.
President Stuart Knott of the Kansas