Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-02
Photographers Demand Ex-
ira for Sunday Work
Of Northern Pacific And a
Lockout Is Result.
The Men in Turn Order General Strike
Throughout the System.

St Paul, Mimi, Aug. IA general
strike of the telegraphers OF the lines
of the Great Northern and Northern
Pacific Railways was ordered at IL
O'Clock, tonight, by President Perham
OF the Order Of Railway Photographers.
President Pcrham Is confident that by
tomorrow room, IS per cent. of the op-
orators will be out.
According to the officials of the Tele-
graphers Union between 1900 and 1000
men will be affected by the order. The
railway officials maintain that they
will be able to fill the places OF most of
the men.
st. Paul, Mimi, Aug. 1.-General
Manager Horne Of the Northern Pac-
ifc Railway, today, sent an order to all
telegraph operators employed by the
system from St. Paul to the Pacific
coast, that they could accept the terms
of settlement of the wage question,
offered by the company, or they could
leave the company. Just how many
men have refused to accept the COM
panys terms is not yet known. After
having issued the ultimatum to the
men, Mr.. Horne gave cut a statement
In which he said among other things:
Mr.. Perham. president of the Order
of Railway Telegraphers. this morning,
advised me that he intends to go to the
limit with both the Northern Pacific
and Great Northern Railways. just as
soon as he thinks such course neceS-
sary.
1.-THE Northern Pacific started lock-
out of its telegraphers because of a
strike vote taken, May a. Strike in
structions were issued, July 5. and
those who voted are still hanging over
it's head in spite Of the fact that during
several weeks negotiations, the points
OF difference have been pretty gener-
ally cleaned up excepting the Sunday
rule and raise Of minimum. The Sum
day rule demanded is different from
any in the United States and would
add to the pay roll Of the telegraphers
about 100000 per year. The COM
pany's rate of pay Is not exceeded, but
OIL the other hand, is considerably high
er than on most of the roads in the
same territory. 1t has granted liberal
increases to its telegraphers during the
past five years. When the conferences
started, July Il, strike instructions
lad already been in for an entire week
Last Friday, when we concluded nego-
tiations, they We're still hanging over
our head. Tho road was in this posi-
ton:
"Mr Perham or his committee could
inaugurate q strike of our telegra-
pliers anytime they saw fit. They would
neither accept nor reject the cOmpany's
proposition. This uncertainty the COM
pany would not put UP with and as a
result a lockout was inaugurated, to-
day"
President Perham of the Railway Te-
legraphers Union. said. today:
"But one man has failed us. Else
where. they have gone out uniformly.
The superintendents have not called on
operators or agents in the Twin Cities
or any of the large stations. I want to
make It clear that this is strike. but
1t is a lockout"
A statement issued by the Great
Northern covering its controversy,
says:
All Of the points at issue between
the telegraphers committee and the
company have been satisfactorily adj
justed with one exception. This is a
rule governing the payment Of over
time at special rates for Sunday work.
In view OF the fact that 1t has been
impossible for the officers of the COM
pany and the members of the tele-
graphers committee to reconcile this
difference. II was decided to prepare a
schedule OF rules and rates. which. with
but this one exception. cmbodies the
concessions made to the committee.
Copies Of the new schedule and list
of the new rates of pay have been sent
out to the various divisions and the
men on those lines are being requested
to signify their intentions with refer
ence to their acceptance without the
concurrence Of the telegraphers COM
mittee.
THE canvas Of the telegraphers on
the systems so far made indicates that
approximately so per cent. of tire tele-
grapners of the line are entirely salts
fed with the new rules and rates. It
IS expected that there will be no diff
Guilty I'm maintaining a regular and
satisfactory traffic over the company's
lines"