The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-07
HOCH TAKES A HAND.
Attempts to Prevent Strike on Union
Pacific.

Governor Hoch is trying to prevent
the threatened strike of hremen on the
Union Pacific, and has offered to act as
arbitrator of the difficulties. or to as
sist in bringing the trouble to arbltra-
ton.
The governor has written to E. H.
Hartman, president of the Union Pa
cific and Mr.. ]. J. Hannahan, grand
master of the Brother hood OF Iocomo-
tive Firemen and Enginemen- In both
of these letters the governor explained
the situation In Kansas and declared
that full use of all transportation IA
cilities are necessary to prevent SUI
fering among the residents of the west
ern counties who are dependent upon
the Pacific for furnishing coal and sup
plies.
The letters follow:
''E H Hartman, President Union Pa
cif1c Railroad Company, New York
My dear Sir:-I write you frankly
concerning the differences between your
Southern Pacific company and the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Ffremen and
Enginemen-
Il notice in the newspapers a letter
from the grand master OF this organ1Za-
tion, addressed to you, in which 1t is
clearly intimated that unless the differ
ences between this organization and the
Southern Pacific company, which have
resulted in a strike, are at once adjust
ed the strike, through sympathetic
channels, will be extended to the Union
Pacific lines. This involves the interests
within me apprehensions of grave disas-
ter to them.
II know nothing of the differences
between your company and this or
ganization, but / know that the great
overwhelming majority of the people of
Kansas are neither members of this
organization nor directly interested in
your company, and 1 submit that their
interests are worthy of most serious
consideration in all these matters. 1t
seems to me that some system of arbi-
tration could avert a disaster like the
one which seems to be impending, and
/ write to tender you whatever
services 1 may be able to render Off
cially and personally to the end that
an amicable and peaceful solution OF
these difficulties can be reached. The
fuel supply of the state is exceedingly
me2ger at this time and if there should
come a blizzard it would be impossible
in the western half Of this state, even
with the largest and freest use of all
the transportation facilities which seem
to be available at this time. Cordially
yours, E. W. HOCH.
January 5, 1907
''Mr. J. ]. Hannahan. Grand Master
Brotherhood Locomotive Firemen
and Enginemen, Peoria, Ill.
Dear Sir:-I write you frankly
concerning the proposed sympathetic
strike of the members of your organ
ization along the lines of the Union
Pacific railroad, in this state particu-
larly, growing out of the strike now in
progress along the Atlantic system of
the Southern Pacific company.
81 know nothing of the merits of
the controversy between your people
and the Southern Pacific company
but 1 do know that a strike in this
state at this time would be extremely
disastrous to the people of Kansas.
and might entail great suffering and
even much loss of life. The fuel sup
ply in most of our towns and cities
and especially in the. western half of
the state. is exceedingly meager and
under normal transportation condi-
tons if a blizzard should occur at this
time 1T would be difficult to prevent
great suffering.
at am a friend of organized labor
and desire its success in every legiti-
mate and worthy undertaking but the
interests of the great mass of people
who are neither railroad magnates nor
mem bers of labor organizations should
@Nve some consideration in all these