The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-02
STRIKE ON KATY.
Brotherhood Telegraphers Go
Out All Along the Line.
About Wages.
1900 OBEYED ORDERS.
Running of Trains Has Been
Seriously Interrupted.
Both Sides Make Statements
Regarding tho Trouble.
1900 OBEYED ORDERS.

the Missouri Kansas & Texas railway
went into effect at 4 o'clock Monday
afternoon and at the headquarters OF
the Order of Railway Telegraphers 1t
was said that the order was being gen
orally obeyed.
TeIegraphic dispatches received at
the general offices of the railway COM
pany, however, indicate, it is an
nounced, that no more than one-third
of the men are out.
The strike was caused by a disa-
greement between the company and
the representatives of the union as to
wages and rules under which the men
shall work.
H. B. Perham president of the Or
der of Railway Telegraphers, said that
the men asked for a revision of the
wage scale which, if granted. would
mean an average increase in wages
from 10 to II per cent. One OF the
demands of the men is a guarantee
that the minimum earnings OF op-
orators shall be $50 a month north OF
the Oklahoma, Kansas and Indian ter
ritory line, and $50 month south OF
that line.
]. w. Maxwell, assistant general
manager of the Missouri, Kansas &
Texas railroad, said that the men
asked for an increase in wages and
change in working rules that would
mean to the company an increased
cost of 100000 a year.
1.-The men demand" said Mr.. Max
well, ''that those who are station agents
at small towns no longer be required
to put out the switch lights, clean the
depots, handle the mail other than
to put it on the trains, and other SIM
liar duties. 1t is impossible for the
company to grant these demands, for
to do SO would mean that we would be
compelled to put an additional man in
every station.
saThe strike order has not affected
the line to any considerable extent.
order. A telegram from the chief
train dispatcher of the division that
extends from Sedalia to Parsons, Kas.,
says that seven or eight men are out
there so far as is known but some
of the strikers are making SO much
wire trouble that the exact situation
can not be learned.
1.-The trains, it is said, on these divi-
sions are moving without much de-
lay. On the Neosho division, which
extends 160 miles from Parsons, Kas.,
to Junction City, Kas., operators are
on duty at Junction City. Council
Piqua. Humboldt, and Chanute.
Things are i'll good shape on the
Parsons division, which extends from
Kansas City to Parsons. Here only
one night office is closed. A telegram
says that every man is loyal on the
Joplin division.
I'VE will succeed in operating the
trains all right, and will start our men
over the line to take out the instru-
ments at stations where the men are
out, so they cannot interfere with the
dispatching of kilograms.
There has been some interference
with the wires inasmuch as the strik-
ers have opened the keys and begun
operating them when we have tried
to learn the exact situation, and some
times when we were trying to send
train orders. No man who has inter-
fered with the wires in any way will
be taken back, and moreover he Will
be prosecuted. We expect many OF the
strikers to report for work today and
those who have not attempted to dam
age the company will be taken back.
"Our chief difficulty will not be in
the operation of trains, but in finding
suitable agents to handle frelght at
country stations
Although officials deny that lines
are seriously embarrassed, it is as
serted that trains have quit running
between Sedalia and this city
Strikers Statement.
Denison. Tex, Aug. All Missouri, |
Kansas & Texas railway telegraph op- |
orators walked out Monday afternoon
at O'Clock. The entire system IN
Texas and the Indian territory is af-
fected. Railway traffic is seriously in
terfered with. Several hundred oper-
atorS are out.
L. Glover, deputy president of the !
quarters in ST Louis, is in the city and
will remain here during the strike.
He has given out the following for |
publication:
The strike of the operators on the |
Katy system is due to a refusal on
the part of the company to meet the
demands made by the operators for an |
increase of wages amounting to about
10 per cent, request that the or
ganization be given control of the ex-
elusive agents and operators, advanced |
in point of seniority and for the adop- |
tion of rules now in existence on COM |
petitive lines.
a grievance committee took the |
matter up with the katy officials in |
made UP until March of this year, the |
matter was referred to the president |
of the order. He was unable to effect |
a. settlement with the company and |
July 20 a referendum vote was com
as to whether or not the men
would strike July %. More than two
thirds of the members on the system |
the strike order was mailed to all |
points on the Katy system. In all |
80 per cent of the operators voted in |
favor of supporting the demands of |
the general committee and to strike |
if these were not met by the officials |
of the road
Agents Join Operators.
Nevada, Mo, Aug. 2.-A1l of the |
telegraph operators on the Missouri, |
Kansas and Texas railroad have re- |
fused to handle the business and as a |
lar Worlds Fair Special was delayed |
forty minutes and two freight trains |
which followed it out were an hour |
late.