The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-01-07
TRA|NMEN TO INSIST
ON GETTING 20
PER CENT
Representatives Of Unions
Declare That They Will
Stand for Having Demands
Granted-Various Compro-
misses are Offered by Diff
ferent Roads.

A report circulated by an evening
paper to the effect that the Northern
Pacific had made an offer of 10 per cent
to the committees of conductors and
brakemen who are negotiating for
20 per cent increase has been denied.
Offers of compromises have been
made to the committees, with one ex-
ception, but the representatives of the
unions state positively that no COM
promise will be accepted. They de-
clare that they have fully considered
the present situation, that they have
arrived at the conclusion that their de-
mands are justifiable and that they in
tend to insist upon their being granted.
Various Offers Made.
The report that the Northern Pacific
had made 10 per cent offer probably
originated from a plan of settlement
suggested by Mr.. Kimberly at yester-
day mornings conference. Mr.. Kim
berly offered to grant increases on GER
tain runs, but made no definite offer of
10 per cent increase. ]. B. w. John
son, of the Northern Pacific commit.
tee, said last night: THE report did
not come from me. / made no such
statement" AT the conference between
the plan above noted had been sub
mitted and the committee not approx
ing thereof, the question was dropped.
Mr.. Kimberly offered to send a written
proposition, but it was decided that the
committee would wait upon him again
within a day or two.
The Great Western committees were
also in conference yesterday. Supt.
George A. Goodell made a proposition
to the men which would practically
amount to an advance of 10 per cent
He did not offer a fiat increase of 10
per cent, but in the aggregate if adopt
ed, it would average that. The COM
mittee, however, did not accept the
proposition. There will be another
conference. w. H. Burgum, chairman
of the Great Western committee. said:
I'VE have no authority to accept such
a compromise, and have no disposition
TO do so. There are thousands of men
behind this movement, and we are sup
ported by abundant capital. While we
are not able to accept the proposition
submitted we nevertheless appreciate
the cordial treatment we have inVari-
ably received"
Supt. F. E. Ward, of the Great
Northern, met the Great Northern
committees and offered them a propo-
sition amounting to a compromise of
the 20 per cent requested. The COM
mlttee retired to consider the matter
and Will communicate with Mr.. Ward
on the answer to be returned. The
committee held long meeting at the
Merchants yesterday afternoon, and
Will send in a reply today or tomor-
row.
The negotiations between Supt.
10 nv, Of h. 10
mittees have been postponed till Fri
day or Saturday. The answer to be
given by the Omaha will depend large
~ upon the decision of the manage
ment of the North Western, which will
be announced in Chicago.
The negotiations in st. Paul are but
small part of the general movement,
and when the situation is brought to a
head here the local committees will
report to the central committees COM
posed of the grand officers of the Or
der of Railway Trainmen, and Order
OF Railway Conductors, who will meet
in Chicago
The situation on each line between
the Gulf of Mexico and the Canadian
border west of Chicago will be report
ed, and the grand officers will dispose
of the questions involved. If it is
then impossible to settle the matter
further action will be taken.
VIII Insist Upon 20 Per Cent.
So far as may be ascertained from
representatives of the unions in ST.
Paul, no compromise will be accepted.
j. b. w. Johnson, of the Northern Pa
clfic, said: "The present wage sched-
ules under which we are working have
been in force since wages were reduced
years ago, and we have had no in
creases since. The requests we make.
therefore, are not as great as they
seem.
The negotiations are characterized
by remarkable cordiality between
the committees and the officials, and
the indications are in favor of an ami
cable settlement, though from the
present situation it is likely that it
will be some time before an ultimate
agreement is reached.
Demands on Santa Fe.
TOPEKA, Kan, Jan. 6.-The griev-
ance committee of the Order of Rail-
way Conductors and Order of Railway
Trainmen today formally presented to
General Manager Nudge, of the Santa
Fee, a demand for 20 per cent increase
In wages. The road has not yet taken
action in the matter