The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-02
ON THE WEST END.
Strike Is in Full Force Out at Albu-
querque.

Strike Is in Full Force Out at Albu-
querque.
Papers from the west filed with
Santa Fe strike news are beginning to
come in. The albuquerque Journal
says:
The strike is now on in dead earnest
at the Santa Fe shops. Yesterday
afternoon at 8 O'Clock forty-four ma
chinists, nineteen machinist appren-
tees, one helper and one handy man
quit work. There was a meeting of
the shop committee of the union at
the noon hour and some were in ia
vor of finishing the day, but the ap-
dinner decided the case and the men
turned in all of the company's prop
erty and drew their time and walked
out of the shops.
The men We're orderly in the ex-
IRENE and not one word was said that
the management of the shops could be
offended at. on the other hand it
seemed as if all the sorrow was on the
one side, that of the shop manage
NJ ent, and that the men felt that they
were striking for principle and that
they had nothing to regret
Two gang foremen who refused to
work with the strike breakers were
discharged and two of the strike
breakers were put in their places. The
expert tool maker also went out with
the balance of the men and his place
was also filled.
The regular force of machinists en-
ployed at the shops is eighty-fve, and
there are but twenty-six machinists
of the strike breaking sort employed,
which leaves the force short some
fifty-nine men. S. L. Bean, the super
intendent of motive power of the
coast lines, who is also acting master
mechanic, stated that there were
more men coming and that in a few
days the force would be up to its full
quota. x1
There is a rumor that the boiler
makers will go out today and that the
steamfitters and blacksmiths will also
be called out. Yesterday members of
the steamfitterS said that they would
not work with nOn-union men and the
same feeling was expressed in stronger
terms by the boilernakers. If tn
men go out it will mean a very serious
condition, particularly as to the boil
ermakers, as the engines have to be
petent boilermaker to keep them in
serviceable condition.
I'VE were simply driven into the
position which we took said a ma
chinist last evening. 1.-THE majority of
the men now employed at the shops
have their families and homes in this
city and the majority of us own our
own homes. We did not, nor have We
ever intended creating any trouble and
the action of the company in putting
in armed deputies and deputizing the
men who have only been in the city
for a day or two, and strike breakers
at that, was more than we could stand.
There Will be no trouble made by any
of our men and we shall keep away
from the shops and property of the
company as long as this trouble is on.
We all regret that it has occurred, but
with US it is question of principle.
I for one do not see the necessity of
deputizing men with huge guns strap
ped on them in a peaceful city, among
peace loving men. We will all re-
main in Albuquerque, but there Will
be no overt acts on the part of the
machinists. We are citizens and as
such will not suffer to see the property
OF any person or corporation damaged,
much less to do it ourselves"
Mr.. s. L Bean was seen last night
by a reporter and he said: Some Of
the men that quit the service of the
company have known personally for
the past 20 years. 1t is a very sad
state affairs and condition that /
personally regret very much. I have
worked alongside many of the men and
1 know their worth and I have valued
their friendship and their kindly feel
ings toward me. I do not blame them,
and 1 believe that they all think that
they are doing their duty in walking
out"
The International Association of Ne
chinists held a meeting yesterday at
ternoon and last night at the Central
Labor Union hall. OF course, the pro-
ceedings of the meeting was secret.
Headquarters will be established at the
hall and will be maintained as long IS
the strike lasts.
The Santa Fe company will in all
probability ship in all the available
maehinist strike breakers and it is I'M
derstood that they have special agents
combing the east for men to take situa-
lions at the different shops along the
line between Chicago and San Fran
cisco.
Many Of the strike breakers are from
the city of Chicago and a number OF
the men are professionals in the bust
ness. They seem to be enjoying life
very much. Yesterday they were fitted
out with overalls and caps and will
make a uniform appearance.
New developments are expected in
the situation today. There has been no
carousing or demonstration of any kind
by the men and as most of them are
excellent citizens it is not thought that
there will be any trouble
There is an army of deputies on duty
at the shops and the greater number Of
these are natives of the city and coun-
try.
At San Bernardino all of the ma
chinists and helpers have walked out.
They were Joined by 20 of the strike
breakers. who claimed that the situa-
ton had been misrepresented to them.
The machinists at Ration are also out,
and at both places the situation is
quiet.