The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-06-07
FOUND THEM OUT.
Claimed That PinIertons Were EN-
pIoying Topeka Strikers.

H. u. Nudge, general manager of the
Santa Fe, made the statement today
that at least six of the men formerly
employed as machinists in the Santa
F'e shops at this point and now posing
as strikers, are in the employ of the
Pinkerton Detective agency with the
purpose of looking after the interests
of the company. According to Mr..
NIudge's statement the Santa Fe has
a contract with the Pinkertons, who
have succeeded in securing the services
of several of the striking machinists.
These men pretend to sympathize with
the union while at the same time they
furnish the road with information re-
garding any action taken by the strik-
ers.
1t was stated today that two of these
men-Fred Robertson and D. H. Hal
iowell-Were suspected by the machin-
lists as being in the employ of the Pink
ertons and have since left Topeka Rob
ertsOn was serving as president of the
local lodge at the time the strike was
called. When ]. D. Buckalew, the strike
leader, arrived in town Robertson was
one of the first men he suspected and
it is stated on SeTni-Official authority
that in a conference at BuckaleW' S
room at the Victoria hotel Robertson
was accused openly and confessed. The
fact that Robertson left shortly after
Buckalew arrived and was succeeded
by Stark, one of his assistants, gives
color TO this report but there is no real
evidence that D. II. HallOWell, who was
secretary of the union at that time,
was in league with the PinkertOns, eX-
cept that he left Topeka Immediately
upon being accused by the officers of
the union. HauoWell is now in Kansas
City but it is not known where Rob
ertson went when he left Topeka Some
think that he has left the country and
others are of the opinion that he is
still working for the Pinkertons in this
vicinity.
When asked for information regard
ing the report that the Santa Fe had
several of the strikers in its employ
as detectives, H. u. Nudge, general
manager, said that he knew nothing of
that part of the report regarding Rob
ertson and Hallowell, but that it was
fact that the Pinkertons had succeeded
in securing the services of several of
the local strikers.
THAT is all that know regarding
these men," said Mr.. Nudge Il am not
furnished with their names. Each man
has a number and when. a report is sub
mitted to me the name of the man who
secured the information is not enclosed.
In this way 1 am kept in the dark re-
garding names although 1 secure the
necessary information. AS regards &c
Robertson and Hallowell 1 know moth
ing further than that BuckaleW in an
interview with me intimated that he
suspected the former of being in the
employ Of the company. You can say,
however that although Robertson and
Halloweu have been found out, there
are at least six more of their own men
who are in the employ of the Pinker-
tons and are acting in the interest OF
the company"
Now that the secret is out the strik-
ers admit that Robertson was suspect
ed of being a detective but when asked
at the time why Robertson left they
said they did not know. Every precau-
ton was taken to prevent the story
from getting to the newspapers. It is
stated now, however, that Robertson
and HallOWeu were not the only men
suspected and that one other man was
given to understand that he had better
leave.
one version of the conference be-
tween Buckalew 5 and Robertson, at
which time the latter confessed, con-
tanned the statement that the former
drew gun, at the point of which Rob-
ertson was compelled to ADMIT his
guilt. This, however, was denied by
the officers of the -u1ion today. They
say that Buckalew never carried a gun
at any time and had no need of one.
AS regards the strike the machinists
say they are confident of success and
that they are becoming stronger every
day. On the other hand General Man
ager Nudge of the Santa Fe says that
/ insofar as the operation of the road is
concerned there is no such thing as q
machinists' strike, and to prove this
Mr. Nudge produced a report showing
| that fewer engine failures occurred dur
ing the month of May than during the
month previous to the strike.
It is not known when J. d. Buckalew,
the strike leader, will return to Tope-
ka but it was stated today that z. A.
/ Ireland, of the American Federal ton of
/ Labor, would return Wednesday from
a two weeks inspection trip over the
Gulf lines