The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-11
RAILROAD NEWS.
Fight the Union Pacific to a
Finish.
John Mcneil Talks About Ma
chinists' Strike.
MONEY FOR A YEAR.
Company Grants All the De-
mands But One.
No Strike Ordered on Southern
Pacific and Short Line.

W will fight the Union Pacific to a
finish. We viii never give up to the
piece work or merit system as Presi-
dent Burt calls it. We have enough
funds to run us at least another year"
Such were the declarations made by
John Mcneil, president of the Brother
hood of Boilermakers and Iron Ship
builders of America, in his discussion of
the struggle between the Union Pacific
railroad and at first the boilermakers'
union, but later the machinists ana
blacksmiths. Mr.. Mcneil has recently
returned from the final conference with
President Burt at Omaha, at which it
was decided for a certainty hat the
contest must be fought to the bitter
end. that neither i would make con-
c~essions regarding the piece work meth
cd of employing the men. The meeting
between the labor leader and the rail-
road president was specifically a
friendly me, but underneath were all
the elements of battle as fierce as ever
was waged in western n~dustrialisnl
Concession to the mems demand that
there be no piece work would mean on
the part of the company an acknowledge
ment OF being beaten 1t already mad
agreed to increase the pay of the men,
to regulate to their satisfaction the ap-
prentice system, and nothing more
could be done. The boilermakers were
grateful that the corporation had seen
fit to make what advances it did make,
but when the piece work subject came
up they refused to listen to its adop-
ton in the shops of the Union PACING,
and en- that refusal they are determined
to stand pat. The meeting did not last
long and during that time President
Burt expressed regret that an agree
ment could not be reached. Then the
representatives of both sides left deter
mined to win
~Of passenger business said Mr.. Nc
Neil, the Union Pacific is doing almost
nothing. We get reports every day Of
their locomotives dying and the condi-
ton is getting worse
He says there are now only two
b-oilermakers. qualified to be rated as
such, working in the shops of the Union
Pacific at Kansas City. Evidently the
conditions at Omaha and Cheyenne. the
other leading points where shops are
maintained, are little better off for men
to repair the locomotive boilers Most
of the boflermakers who struck are re-
naming at their homes, waiting until.
as the believe, they can go back to
work at the terms which they demand.
They contend it is not merely a tight
for themselves as against the Union Pa
ci6c. but it Seemsato he the opinion that
if the piece-wOrk plan becomes effective
on that road, all other western railroads
will quickly follow with its adoption.
Hence, their added determination to
AoAA "a a5a@A4oN ~ 0CL-4d-1 49,
mands.
1t has been expected that President
Mcneil would call out. all the boiler
makers on the Southern Pacific and the
Oregon Short Line, out of sympathy fol
their Union Pacific brothers. but he does
not appear to believe that such a step
would be advisable. He says he viii be
unable to act alone in that matter. at
any rate, the action of a general council
of boilermakers being required before
such a strike would be warranted
Abou 200 is the total number Of
boilermakers and b-oilermaker helpers
striking on the Union Pacific. but these
were augmented by machinists and
blacksmiths until now the total number
on strike is about 1900. The entire
membership of the boilermakers' and
s-hipbuilders' union. according to the
records yesterday, was 26,117. all Of
whom are assessed monthly for the sup
port of those who are striking. In addi-
ton to the Union Pacific difficulty, Pres
ident Mcneil SAYS the b~oiler1nakers in
contract shops at Cleveland. o.. to thr
number Of about fifty are on strike.