The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-01
TRANSCONTINENTAL
ROADS AFFECTED
Great Northern and Northern Pa
!, cific Refuse Demands of
E Employees.
MEN QUITTING THEIR
KEYS AT STATIONS
Appeal Made to Hill-Settlement
May Be in His
Hands.

Hands,
Great Northern and Northern Pacific
telegraphers who have not accepted |
terms of the company in the discussion
which has been on several weeks be-
tween the companies and the officials
of the Order of Railway Photographers
have been locked out.
The discharge of Great Northern oper-
etors began last night, but it was not
until II o clock today that the North
ezn Pacific operators were obliged to
decide whether they would accept the
company terms or resign.
About LOO men are directly or indi-
rectly affected by the action which
was taken this noon by both roads. The
outcome, as affecting the operation Of
both systems, seems dubious.
The only chance of amicable adjust
ment of the dispute rests apparently
upon the nature of the reply that James
him at IL o'clock last night by Pres
ident II. B.. Perham Of the telegraph
ers. Mr.. Hill was asked to decide the
questions that President Perham and
Vice President Newman have been
discussing respectively with General
Pacific, and F. E. Ward of the Great
Northern.
In the case Of the Great Northern, the
crisis was precipitated by circular dis
tributed personally by the division SUI
perintendents. In this General Manager
+. E. Ward called attention ''to the fact
that in salaries, increased commissions
in relief from the payment of pre-
miums upon bonds. the operators net
incomes would be increased annually
under the proposed schedule by $40, 900.
The agents and operators were formal
ly requested to decide whether they
service and be governed by this new
rule and regulations. When the men re-
fused to accept this proposition, they
were at once discharged.
Local Operators at Work.
"But one man has failed u.s. Mr..
Perham said today. ELSEWHERE they
have gone out uniformly. The superin-
tendents have not yet called upon opera
tors or agents in the twin cities or at
the other large stations. r: 49,. $50 ' 7 -
81 want to make it Clear Mr.. Per
ham added. that no strike has been
declared. This is simply a lockout
Northern Pacific Acts. ..
Convinced that it was the intention
of the strike committee of its teleg.
pending difference until they would
handicap the movement of fall bust
ness and satisfied that the telegraphers
committee is unwilling either to <All {
strike or consent to an Immediate set
element, the Northern Pacific at moor
ing lockout Of the operators VIII
are unwilling to accept the Favorable
terms offered. At - O'Clock Genera
Manager B. j. Horn gave the follow
ing statement with reference to tn
company s action and it's position:
"Mr. Perham this morning advise,
me that he intends to go the limit wit
both the Northern Pacific and Grea
Northern railways just as soon as h
thinks such a course necessary.
''Shortly before noon the Norther
Pacific started a lockout of it's tele|
raphers because Of a strike vote take
on May 81. Strike Instructions WEI
issued July 5, and these, with the vot
are still hanging over it's head, in spi1
of the fact that during several week.
negotiations the points of different
have been pretty generally cleaned u
excepting the Sunday rule and raj
of minimum; The Sunday rule q
United States and would all to II
payroll Of the telegraphers about 500
900 a year. The companies rate.
pay are not exceeded, but, on the 9th
hand, are considerably higher than
most of the roads in the same teri
tory. 1t has made liberal increases
it's photographers during the past fl
years.
CAS- compared with 1900, the san
positions that existed in that year a
paying in 1905 $4,000 addition. Til
increase relates only to the, positions
1905 which were in existence five yea
ago. There are also in existence ov
tyyo hIn
listed in 1900. These, of course, tai
the 1905 higher rates. Comparing tt
1905 positions with those of 1900 as
whole, the telegraphers are receiving ;
increase of annual pay amounting n
less than $150,000.
The increases made may and tho
agreed upon at the recent conferen
foot up about 100000 over and abo
the income paid prior to May l, Of tt
year.
Claim Settlement Wasn't Wanted.
"The impractical rules and exorl
tant demands made by the commit
repeated in their proposition Of Ju
81 are considered conclusive proof tn
at no time has it been the intention
the committee to. make concessio
which would enable the company
make a satisfactory settlement I
fore actual negotiations were co
menced they had fully decided to fol
strike. When conferences started
. July -, strike instructions had alrea
been in force for an entire week.
'Last Friday when we concluded
gotiations they were still hanging o,
our heads. The road was in this pc
ton: Mr.. Perham or his commit
could inaugurate a strike of {
telegraphers any time they saw
They would neither accept nor rel
the company's proposition. This unc
tainty the company could not put
with and as result lockout was
augurated today
According to the telegraphers, ab
two thousand operators are affected
the dispute and of these, 1000 are {
ployed by the Great Northern, but
Great Northern maintains tina tonly
men on it's system are concerned.
President Perham said today t
most of the operators at the smaller
Confined on 9Th PAGE 18th Column