The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-18
union PAYS UP.
Topeka Strikers Get Their First
Relief Checks.
Men Receive 81 aud
Single Men S5 Per Week.
AFFAIRS ARE QUIET.
Leaders Say That They
Are Satisfied.
Claim Made That Imported Men
Are Incompetent.

The striking machinists at Topeka
received their first relief checks at
Trades Assembly hall, in the Palace
building. this morning.
The checks were drawn on a To-
peka bank and were signed by w. L.
Stark, who is one Of the local leaders
in strike affairs. The checks distrib-
uted at the meeting of the machinists
this morning aggregated s31s. Mar
ried men receive 81 per week and
single men get 50 a week
The strike situation apparently re-
mains unchanged. The railroad ON
cials declare they are working a full
force of employees at the shops at the
various localities along the line. and
the strikers also appear satisfied at
the condition Of affairs.
J. D. Buckalew, the officer Of the
pachinists' union, has not yet re-
turned to the city, but the men here
say that he will return one day this
week. They are very reticent IN re-
gard to his whereabouts.
The strikers declare they are keep
ing in touch with the situation On
thoroughly as do the railroad officials.
Mr.. Stark had bundle of letters,
about twenty. which he told a re-
porter for the State Journal were re-
I
along the Santa Fe in regard to the
situation.
MI Ireland. one of the officers OF
the American Federation Of Labor
! comes to Topeka today" said Mr..
] Stark, "and he will address a meeting
Of the machinists either tonight or to-
/ morrow"
The local nachinists are confident as
to the outcome Of the strike. They re-
gard the statements of the railroad
. off irfafz rr77caT-lfT7er the strike affafrz
as simply a bluff
He who laughs last, laughs best
said Mr. Stark We know that the
railroad company has about 500 car
llOads of freight sidetracked at dinar-
ent points along the line which IL is
impossible to move, and they are not
keeping their passenger trains on
\ sDo you attribute this condition Of
affairs to the strike? ?' was asked. Tine
Santa F'e you know claims to have all
yes" said Mr.. Stark. ''They have
a full pay roll, but the machinists are
! incompetent. Why at one point where
six machinists went out the company
/ had to hire ten men and give them ten
helpers and then place a guard OF thir-
/ ty men, So you see the situation IN
regard to the number of men en-
/ ployed."
standing near, I'VE are at-least caus-
/ ing the company a big expense
''The men at all points are in good
spirits" continued Mr.. Stark. They
/ are sending in reports every day, ana
we have nothing but the best OF
news
/ So the strike appears to be at a dead
\ lock The Santa Fe officials declare
/ that the strike is not now proving an
inconvenience to the road only that Il
/ is making additional expense in keep
\ ing guards to prevent any damage be-
/ ing done by the strikers to the railroad
property. but the matter Of expense
/ is not taken into consideration by the
railroad officials. They declare they
would spend enough to bankrupt the
road rather than capftulate. They are
making a fight for principle they de-
clare.
I'VE will not allow the machinists to
dictate to the company what shall be
! done" declares Mr.. Kendrick, third vice
president "and we will have no deal
! fnes whatever with the strikers in the
future. So Sar as we are concerned the
AFFAIR is ended. We have nothing to
arbitrate with them We have the
shops working the full quota OF men,
| They are good Blachinfsts. In fact We
find that our new men are as rule
better than we had anticipated they
would ba."
/ There has been no evidence OF at
/ ter1pted violence among the strikers az
Topeka. and Mr.. Stark said there would
I be none either at Topeka or at the 9TH
er points.