Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-20

edition of The Star. All communica tons
intended for this department should reach
The Star office not later than Tuesday.
There was joy all along the Union Pa
cific Railroad system last Monday morning.
when 1000 union machinists, blacksmiths
and boilermakers who went on strike June
30 last year returned to work. The strike
was inaugurated for an increase in pay
of 10 per cent and because of an alleged
attempt on the part of the railroad officials
to inaugurate piece or premium work in
the company's shops The resumption of
operations was in accordance with an
agreement reached at a recent conference
at Omaha, Neb., between the officers of
the International Association of Machin-
lists, the Brotherhood of Boilermakers and
the International Union of Blacksmiths.
Jointly, as one party, and the officials of
the railroad as the other party.
When the strike was ordered about $500
workmen of the crafts named laid down
their tools and unanimously Endorsed the
action of their respective international Of
ficers AS the demand for such workmen
has been exceedingly heavy since that time,
fully 800 of the strikers left the scene of
trouble to accept remunerative positions in
other parts of the country. Under the
terms of the agreement between the labor
organizations and the railroad these work
men, If they SO desire, can regain their
former POSITIONS With the ROAD WltHlu SIAty
days from the date Of the document. At
the expiration of that time all vacancies
existing will be filled by the employment of
new workmen.
In addition to this provision the agree
ment abolishes the premium system of
work, awards an increase Of per cent in
wages and includes sections governing the
employment of apprentices, rates for over
time work and insures recognition of union
committees. 1t Is not known by the officials
of the International Association of Machin-
lists whether or not any OF its striking
members will take advantage of the re-
instatement clause. Reports received at
the headquarters of the association in this
city are to the effect that work is plenti-
full in all portions of the country, ana 1or
this reason it is the opinion that the l,5Oo
vacant places will be filled, Tor the most
part, by new wOrkmen.
In conversation with a Star reporter an
official of the association stated that the
strike on the Union Pacific was one of the
most severe tests that has ever been made
upon organized labor. Its settlement In
favor of organized labor 1t is pointed out.
has had a far-reaching effect on the labor
movement of the entire country. and, it is
said, has tended to convince the railroad
magnates that the labor organizations are
not temporary institutions, but, on the con-
trary, are permanent, and will continue to
work for the ameloration and higher ad-
vancement of the working classes.
Many reasons hive been offered In ex-
PLANTATION of the settlement of the long
standing controversy on the Union Pacific
system in favor of the employees. Chief
among them is that during the entire
struggle every striking machinist, boiler
maker and blacksmith, who did not pro-
cure employment elsewhere, received his
weekly strike benefits. which were suf-
ficiently large, if economy was practiced
to keep the wolf from the door. The
fact that these benefits were paid without
fail every week greatly stimulated the pc
lief of the strikers that they would ulti-
mately win, and, it is said, caused them
to stand by their convictions firmly.
Had the dispute not been adjusted when
it was, 1t is understood that general sym
pathetic strike was to have been inaugu-
rated within a short time on all railroad
systems connected with or directly CO.
operating with the Union Pacific. Such
action was sanctioned by the recent con-
vention of the International Association of
Machinsts at Milwaukee, at which time,
it is said, it had been definitely ascertained
that several of the great railroads of the
west were loaning rolling stock-locomo"
tives, cars, etc.-to the Union Pacific sys-
tenn to carry on the fight against the strik-
ers.
According to President James O'Connell
of the machinists, who has Just resumed
the duties of his office, after serious i'll
ness, the good effects of the settlement of
the Union Pacific strike are already being
felt, as within the last few days, II has
been followed by the favorable termination
of several disputes in which the mem
bers Of the association were involved.
In this connection, President OConnell
stated to a Star reporter that the three
DAYS strike on the Kansas City Southern
railroad system, affecting about 5OO ma
chinists. has been adjusted. The agree
ment reached between the officials OF the
labor organization and the railroad In this
latter case provides for an increase In pay
of 10 per cent and the establishment of
rules for the government of the shops The
strike was, for the most part In three cit
les on the System-kansas City ana P1tts-
hurp Kan and ShreVeDOrt La.
1t is announced that the strike of 200 ma
chinists against the American Woodwork
ing Machine Company of Norwich, Conn.,,
for 10 per cent increase in pay and
nine-hour work day, has been declared at
an end The demands of the strikers have
been granted.
1t Is thought probable that the pending
dispute between the members of Wood,
Wire and Metal Lathers' Local Union NO.
0 and the union structural iron workers
over the metal ceiling work being done On
Stoneleigh Court, the new apartment house
being erected by Secretary Hay at Connec-
ticut avenue and L street will be adjusted
by the Central Labor Union at It's regular
meeting next Monday evening.
The trouble in this case, which was here
tofore indicated in The Star. developed last
Wednesday, when twenty iron workers IN
formed Contractor James L. Parsons, who
has the contract for erecting the immense
structure that the work of installing the
cross beams for the ceiling comes within
the Jurisdiction of their organization. The
metal fathers were then called into con-
ference. They also claimed the work, and
declared that If the iron workers installed
the cross beams they would not place the
ceiling in position.
The contractor was in dilemma, and en-
deavored to arrange matters between the
two factions. Both were insistcnt how
ever, and 1t was left to Mr.. Parsons to de-
eide who should.do the work. He explained
that he did not wish to be partial TO either
craft. but thought that the metal fathers
were entitled to the work. The iron -.ork-
ers would not subscribe to his opinion and
in consequence left the building. All of
the workmen concerned in the controversy
are affiliated with the American Federation
of Labor, and for this reason If the matter
fails of settlement through local channels
1t will be taken before the executive council
of the American Federation of Labor, now
in quarterly session at Typographical
Temple, this city.
Gratifying reports were received recently
at the headquarters of the International
Association of Machinists, in this city, as
to the settlement of the gene al strike Of
machinists, pattern makers. metal polish
ers, blacksmiths and brass molders In ST.
Louis Mo. The strike, involving fifty shops
and 5000 workmen, was in existence only