The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-11
RAILROAD NEWS.
News Of Machinist Trouble in
Other Santa Fe Towns.
Many Deputies Are Being
Sworn in for Emergencies.
A FENCE AT NEWTON.
One Will Be Built Quickly if
Strike Is Declared.
Railway Age Discusses Sftua-
tiOn at Great Length.

News from Santa Fe towns at all
points along the line indicate that
there is much interest. verging on ex-
element, regarding the possibility of
general strike of the machinists.
At many points, the Santa Fe is
swearing in large numbers of deputy
sheriffs for the purpose, supposedly Of
protecting their shops from violence.
They evidently fear that one of the
hrst things the strikers would do in
case of trouble would be to cripple the
machinery in some way, as has been
done in some railroad strikes.
At the time of the Union Pacific
strike it is claimed the strikers ruined
many engines by putting quicksilver
and other substances in the boilers.
Situation at Newton.
The Newton Kansan- Republican
1.-THE Santa Fe machinists in New
ton are still at work and according to
latest reports nothing has been receiv-
ed from Washington, where the execu-
tive committee of the International AS
ISOLATION of Machinists is celebrating
on the question of a strike on the
lines of the Santa Fe. The situation
seems to have resolved into a game of
waiting on the part of the machiniSts.
The Santa Fe COMPANY. however. at
tons to meet any contingency that
may arise. Numerous special officers
have been sworn in to patrol the yards
both day and night. ARRANGEMENTS are
being made to fence in the machine
shops roundhouse and car repair
yards Immediately. The fence will be
nine feet high topped with a couple of
wires, watchmen will be stationed at
the openings and only those who have
business to transact Will be allowed to
pass in. The present conditions among
the machinists along the lines of the
Santa Fe, however, indicate that
strike is highly probable. The local
machinists at this point are expected
to abide by the decision of the execu-
tive committee and no action is likely
to be taken until they have been noti-
fed of the committees decision
Deputies ct San Bernardino.
The San Bernardino (CaL) Times
Index says:
The woods is full of deputies, but
the cause of it all is not apparent. A
stranger would be puzzled to account
for this stalwart parade of under
sheriffs, and would as soon think of
looking into the deeps Of the upper air
Tor solution as down in the shops
among the busy men, who through the
long hot hours of day have held duti-
fully to their work.
It's said that there's to be strike
and some ones afraid the machine
danger Of being stolen. But the ma
chinists, the boilermakers, the helpers,
the round house men, smile blandly if
you ask them the truth of the report,
and nine times out of ten that's all
the reply you get.
The machinists are not talking. Very
wisely they are keeping their own
counsel, and while at work are giving
their employers every minute paid for.
1--WE viii probably give out a state
ment at the proper time is what sew
eral of them have said today, and not
even the first word Of criticism is ut
tered at the employment of the great
army of under sheriffs which is being
rushed full-fedged out of the county
building.
This one thing is certain the men
will conduct themselves in the most
orderly manner no matter what may
be the outcome of the present rumors
of war, and if public opinion has been
placed on either side the cause of the
machinists has not been the one over
looked.
The movements of the deputies is
most mysterious.
A few days ago a large number were
sent to the desert towns of Barstow
and Needles. Yesterday these had been
called in and received their pay at the
sheriffs Office yesterday afternoon.
Last night Cade Selby, one of the
chief officers of the Santa Fe went
through the city and left word for the
sheriff to swear in 100 deputies. This
the sheriff proceeded to do this morn
ing.
But what they are to do is a mystery
which no one can or will solve.
The suggestion has been made that
the machinists are taking vote on
certain propositions which have been
made to the Santa Fe but this is out
of the ordinary and hardly probable.
General Manager Wells when asked
about the situation denied any know
ledge of an impending strike and thus
is more mystery added to that which
is already so thick that you can al
most cut it with a knife
On tOnight's overland Is deputies will
leave for Barstow and 20 for Needles.
Quite a number of others were sworn