The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-05-10
TRAINS ARE TAKEN TO
ENDS OF THE DIVISIONS
Company Issues Statement, In Which
They Say They Have No Fight to
Make on Any Organization,
Labor or Otherwise.
M ERIDIAN, Miss, May 9.--Exaetly
M at u o'clock noon today all the
conductors, brakemen and switch

A ERIDIAN, Miss, May 9.-Exactly
M at u o'clock noon today all the
conductors, brakemen and switch
men on the divisions Of the Mobile and
Ohio railroad between here and Mobile
and Jackson, Tenn, went on strike for
an increase of wages. 1t Is understood
that all trains in transit before the hour
set for the walk-out will be taken to the
end of the division.
The strike is regarded as a fair test
between the employees and the road. and
it is expected that unless settlement is
soon reached other labor organizations
will join in the struggle
The strikers demand a raise Of II per
cent for passenger and Is per cent for
freight service.
Both sides to the controversy are pre-
ever that end may be. There was little
or no demonstration made by the men
here today. They simply quit work, and
left the officials to get along as best
they may.
Non-Union Men on Hand.
The railroad has had a number of nom
union men on hand and was ready for
the beginning of the struggle. All pas
senger trains came and departed as usual
today, and just before o'clock banana
train arrived from the south and was
manned here with nortunion crew and
sent on north.
General Manager c. s. Clarke wired
from Mobile to j. J. Alexander, superin-
tendent of this division, as follows:
II understand some Of our conductors
and brakemen have left the service with
out notice as to time OF date. We recog-
nize their right to do Eo and only ask
that they turn over subj property as is
in their possession to the superior officers
and remain off of and away from the
companys property and In no way inter-
fere with the business bf the company or
its trains. Time ticketi will be turned in
and those leaving thb service will be
paid in full.
I'VE will proceed to operate the property
in lawful manner Advise county and
municipal authorities accordingly We
have no fight TO male on any man or
men, society or labor organization. You
will proceed In an trderly and lawful
manner to operate ths property, advising
and comforting with The different heads
of departments In al matters affecting
the company's businels.''
Men Make statement.
ST. Louis. May '9.-1he statement given
out by the employees of the Mobile and
Ohio railroad followsi
ITO the Public:
after failing to agree upon satisfac-
tory wage rates and other matters gov
erning working conditions after several
months spent in an honest endeavor to
reach middle grounds satisfactory to all,
the conductors. braIemen, baggagemen
and yardmen employeA by the Mobile and
Ohio railroad voted almost unanimously
to leave the service df the company un-
less an increase of ID per cent In freight
service, except local freight, and per
cent increase for passenger employees
were granted.
This offer was made to the general
manager at Mobile oh April 2S, with the
hope that trouble might be avoided. He
replied with a PROPOSAL amounting to
about ~ per cent Increase for freight
men, local freight excepted, and 51k per
cent increase for passenger men and re-
fusing to regulate the custom of the
running Of double-headers' satisfactory
to the committee. The original request
of the men was for an increase of 15 per
cent in freight service. local freight ex-
cepted. IL per cent increase In passenger
service and satisfactory adjustment Of
yard rates.
''The men feel that the company has
used every method In order to postpone
final settlement. thereby causing unneces-
sary expense to them and as result all