The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-29
NUDGE PLEASED.
Says Santa Fe Officers Are
Grateful to Topeka.
Thinks Public Sentiment Kept
Down Strike Excitement.
MAY BRING BENEFITS.
Will Recommend That Shops b
Moved Here.
Was Satisfied That Property
Would Be Protected.

The city of Topeka will more than
likely be materially benefited on ac-
count of the attitude taken by the
citizens and officials of this city in
regard to the recent strike troubles
which the Santa Fe railroad has I'M
dergone-
H. L. Nudge, general manager of
the Santa Fe, stated to a reporter for
the State Journal this morning that
the officials of the Santa Fe and the
directors were highly pleased with the
manner in which the company was
treated in Topeka
THE fact that we were given ample
protection to prevent any damage to
the properties of the company at this
point will tell in the future when the
matter of the location of improve
ments in the mechanical department
is under consideration" said Mr..
Nudge
The officials at Topeka made it
very thoroughly understood to the
strikers at the outset that any vio-
lence on the part of the striking ma
chinists would not be tolerated, and
the sentiment of the community has
been opposed to the liberation of any
violent tactics whatever For this
reason the strikers have made US no
annoyance here.
But you take Fort Madison, Iowa,
for instance. l am at a loss to under
stand the attitude of the merchants
and business men or that town and
the reason for the laxity of the city
officers of that place in the matter of
giving our company proper protection
a very considerable sum in taxes in
Fort Madison, and we believe that we
are entitled to protection to our prop
erty as we'll as any other taxpayer.
But we have had considerable diff
ficulty at Fort Madison from evil in
clined strikers. The strike leaders
have in some instances sent in men
who were toughs and who went to
that place for the sole purpose of
making trouble
The company's property at Fort
Madison is out some distance from the
main portion of the town. which gives
very good opportunity for those who
wish to work damage to the property.
There was laXity, however. at Fort
Madison, on the part of those in auth
ority, and although we have had no
serious damage to the property of the
company at that place, 1t is a fact that
the protection we should have had and
the cooperation of the city officials was
lacking. We, however. kept our own
guards which in a great measure pre-
vented trouble.
but now that the trouble is over. and
the strike seems to have passed, we are,
thinking of the policy to be pursued in
the future.
L shall strongly urge that a portion
of the machinery from the Fort Madi-
son shops be removed to the Topeka
shops. 1 think 1 can safely say that
hereafter no more improvements in the
way of shops, etc, will be made at Fort
Madison
I am glad to see prediction verified
which made some time ago, when the
matter. of locating the new shops at
Topeka was under consideration.
L took the position at that time that
Topeka would prove an admirable city
for the new shops because it is a good
place for the workmen>To live We have
not been trubled with diSSenSion here
and the workmen are contented- And in
addition we are given the protection to
our property which is but just we
should have We pay our share of the
taxes in the community and they
amount to no inconsiderabIe sum. and
the railway officials are always ready
TO spend money in making additional |
improvements in the city where they
know and feel that they will get fair
treatment, and that the destruction of |
property by hoodlums and thugs will |
not be tolerated