The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-03
ALL CALLED OUT.
Members of the B. r. 7. on the
Colorado Southern
Ordered to Strike by Grand
Master Morrissey.
1T is SYMPATHETIC
And Grows Out of the Trouble
With the SWitchmen.
Vice President Parker Appeals
to Interstate Commission.

Denver, Col, Aug. 3.-In conse-
quence of the failure of the negotia-
tions for an adjustment of the differ
ences between the striking Denver
switchmen, who demanded an in
crease of two cents a hour in their
wages, and the Colorado and South
ern railway. Grand Master P. H Nor
rissey of the Brotherhood of Railway
TFainmen called out all the trainmen
on the road who are members of the
brotherhood at noon today. These in
clude about 500 brakemen and a few
conductors
the brotherhood officials to extend the
strike Vice President A. D. Parker of
the Colorado and Southern railway
sent the following telegram to the in
terstate commerce commission and
the department of labor at Washing
ton:
Denver. Col, Aug. 8, 1907.
Martin A. Knapp, Chairman Interstate
Commerce Commission, Washing
ton, D. c.:
Charles P. Neill, Commissioner of La
Dor, Washington, D. c.:
The Colorado and Southern Rail-
way company has at present a strike
of the switchmen in it's Denver yards
which has now extended over a period
of two weeks. The trainmen of this
company who were represented at the
Chicago conference and who agreed to
their schedule of wages established
after your arbitration of the differ
ences at that time, are now threaten
ing in violation of that agreement, to
go out on strike, in order to compel
this company to assent to the demands
of the switchmen. Both the switch
men and the trainmen belong to the
Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen.
This company is now paying it's
toby he co. &c Vol n
in Chicago, St. Louis, Omaha, Kansas
City and all western cities. In view of
the foregoing facts the Colorado &
Southern Railway company requests
you, in accordance with the act of con-
gress covering matters of this kind, to
take such steps as may be necessary to
prevent the trainmen from going out
on q strike and thereby violating their
Chicago agreement. In view of the fact
that a strike of the trainmen will seri-
nously- interfere with the Interstate COM
Tneree of this company, we ask you to
take immediate steps TO put yourself
into communication with the RESPONSE
Bile parties at the head of this organi-
cation. We have made offers to arbi-
trate the switchmen's contention by my
choosing one, the switchmen choosing
one and the two arbitrator choosing
one and the Brotherhood of Railway
Trainmen have refused
I have sent copy of this telegram to
Mr.. P. H. Morrissey, grand master, who
is mere IN DenVeT DIT lIiuG
Please acknowledge receipt of this
telegram and advise me what steps you
may take.
(Signed) A. d. PARK Err.
Vice President of the Colorado & South
ern Railway Company.
The strike order was authorized by the
officers and general committee of the
colorado & Southern trainmen and it
calls out every member. of the organ
ization from Greeley and Silver Plume,
Col. to Texline, Texas. About 26O men
in this city went on strike at noon and
If is expected that freight traffic will
he completely tied up and passenger
service disarranged.
The order affects passenger and
freight brakemen, fagmen, conductors
Who belong to, the brotherhood and
switchmen of the same order. From
5oo to 1000 men not directly involved,
incIi1ding engineers, fremen, conduc-
tors and baggagemen, will be thrown
ont of employment unless the company
succeeds in moving trains. while thou
sands of other workmen throughout
the state will feel the effects of the
strike through the closing of industries
if it is prolonged. A coal famine will
also Quickly follow as the smelters and
other plants have supply sufficient only
los few daVS,