The semi-weekly messenger., 1906-10-12
300 MEN ON STRIKE
Machinists Employed by the
Southern Railway.
DEMANDED HIGHER WAGES
At the Various Shops the Men
Walked Out Quietly.

International Association Says the
Strike Can be Carried on Three
Years IL Nccessary-Boiler Makers
and Blacksmiths May Join the Ma
chinists-The Order TO Strike Fol-
lowed Protracted Negotiations With
Officials of the Company-SupcEtA
tendent Stewart OF the SoutlIc
States the Position of the Road
Washington, October S.-The ma
chinists employed on the Southern rail-
way system, who according TO the Of
ficials of the road number about 500.
went on a strike today for an increase
of 1-2 cents an hour. which amounts
was ordered by p. J. Conlin. first vice
president of the International Associa-
tiOn of Machinists. and followed pro-
tracted negotiations with the officials
OF the company. None OF the machln-
lists are employed in this city, but
twenty-one machinists, seven apprcn-
tice boys, and a number of helpers
walked out at the shops ut Alexandria,
Va, and all along the line at the
various shops the men quietly walked
out, without any demonstration.
A. Stewart, superintendent of the
Southern railway, said today:
The basis of machinists' wages paid
by the Southern railway company Is
substantially standard in the south.
Where inequalities have existed, the
company has been willing TO bring
them up to the standard. This has
been the subject of discussion with
machinists' committees for sometime
past. The machinists have argued that
the increase in the cost of living shown
by government statistics and their own
experience, justifes them in expecting
higher basis Of wages than they
have ever yet received.
1T has been shown to the machinists
that while the earnings from the propN
erty have constantly increased IL n
cent years, still for various causes the
expenses OF operation have also in
creased, and in q greater proportion;
with the result that the company Is not
now by reason of its greater gross
earnings, in q better position IN in
crease wages generally to all classes OF
employees than II has been at any time
within the last few years"
1t Is said by the union men that the
boiler makers and blacksmiths may
join the striking machinists. Nr. Colon
said tonight:
Financially We are able TO carry
these men on strike three years II
| necessary. Married men received 81
week as strike benefit, while single men
receive S.. We are also able to ind
better places for the idle men, as We
received an order this morning from
| ST. Louis for 200 machinists.'
Richmond. Va, October S.-A gen.
| eral strike Of the machinists of the
| Southern railway shops went into ef-
! feet this morning, at which time sixty
! men in the Manchester shops lad
! down their tools. One man and several
| apprentices remained at work. This
| is the second strike the Southern ma
chinists have had within the past
seven years. the first, which was won,
being for the right TO organize. The
strike finds the road rushed with the
strike Is for an Increase Of pay. and
has been pending some weeks.
Asheville, N c., October S-Twenty-
five machinists of the Southern rail-
! way shops in this city went on strike
today, following the lead OF other
| shops.
Macon. Ga. October 8.-Twelve usk
| chinlsts In the employ OF the South
ern railway shops irf'rhis city went On
strike today for advance in wages.
Atlanta. Ga. October s.-Two hur-
dred men employed In the Southern
railway shops IN this city laid down
their tools this morning and walked
out in accordance with instructions
from President O'Connell of the ma
chinists union at Washington. The
strike Is general, covering the entire
Southern railway system, and about q
thousand men are involved The men
demanded an Increase I'm wages of %
cents a day.
Birmingham, Ala, October 8.-Ail
the machinists in the shops OF the
Southern railway In Birmingham
struck today In accordance with the
general movement along the system
among the shop men for higher wages.
Upwards OF 100 men are effected
Knoxville, Tenn. October S.-Fifty
machinists and 10 helpers and appren-
tices went on strike today at the Voo-
ter shops Of the Southern railway 10
Gated here.
Spartanburg. s. c.. October S.-F1vs
hundred machinists In the Southern
railway shops at Spencer, N. c., went
out on strike today. Odcials Of -
Southern have gone to Spencer 70 PR
vent violence when non union maehia-
ssts arrive.