Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-03-16

n.,,cr March f6.--At 10 O'Clock
-. 200 machinists, boiIcrmakcrs
i ,,d members OF kindred trades work
,no 4, tbc Dcnycr n Rio Grandc shops
4 -, an strike. in response 10 m
s,,or issued by w. j. McQuecney, rep
an,,nc lbe nachinists national Or
a.n,,,,lon, after fual conference at
',hich Manager \. &. Ridgway, of the
raiiroad refused any concessions.
.,Thc strike viii ultimately spread
o,or, rond i'm the Gould system.
,nJ affect roads all over the United
s,atcs., said Mr.. McQueeney. "ihcrc
:. ovcry Indication that tho struggle
:, IN no long one. and fought hard
Ion both Sides
The strike is the result of an order
,,osted by the road Il month ago, ABB
,tpating all contracts with the unions.
since that time, numerous conferences
have been held between the men and
tho company, but 1t was impossible to
reach an agreement.
After a couple of tense weeks, the
finale in local labor circles came this
morning. The shopmen of the Rio
Grande, in obedience to orders from
committee. representing them in Dem
yer threw down their tools this morn
ing and are now out for an indefinite
period. In the neighborhood of $50
men are out. At Grand Junction the
shopmen also walked out and by this
evening it will be probable that the en-
tire system Will see the shops closed
The walk-out was expected in a way
and yet, rather sudden. 1t came about
through the company's abrogating its
agreements with employees. or in other
words. the company's avowed determi-
ignore labor unions. The wage ques-
ton was not an issue to any great eX-
tent. The company announced sew
tral weeks ago that on March IA, it in
tended to abrogate its agreements and
at that time the employees talkeo
strike" f
COMMITTEE IN DENVER.
committee, made up OF shopmen,
aeehaaics- and other employees and
union men, was sent post haste TO Dem
veto confer with officials of the COM
pny and frequent conferences have
Fsa held. Just what transpired al
ttse sessions has not been given out
-aot to the men, themselves. even, a
laaR ballot was sent out by the COM
rIttee throughout the system, and each
ias asked to send it back to Denver
nth his. individual opinion upon the
abrogation" question. 1t is under
GOOD the hundreds of response received
we're ali bitterly opposed 10 the open
4 hop idea. Upon that showing, the
Nmmittee returned to conference with
De company officials and endeavored 10
ave them change their attitude.
MEN GO HOME.
| 1t was not thought by a good many
that the men would strike, as times
ue rather unsatisfactory in labor cir
des generally. but the workers were
determned that their organizations
we're to be recognized as in the past.
Just the second the word came over
the wire II was passed around the shops
and throwing their coats over their
shoulders and picking up their full
lunch pals, the men walked quietly
~N4iAf NhN COMPANY SAilNS anu Stdlltl-
ing went TO their respective homes.
Tho abrogation of agreements came
10 an end, so far as the company was
concerned, Saturday. The local EN-.
ployes came to work as usual this
morning, but there was something in
NE air which breathed "TROUBLE."
Inc men went about their duties as IL
expecting something TO happen. And
shortly after 10 o'clock It did. 1t all
rested In the hands OF the committee
sent 10 Denver; upon their Instructions
several thousand men would walk out
or stay az work. The daily bread OF
thousands was a matter left entirely
70 half dozen men. When the word
zane the men seemed actually relieved
ana they went out almost gladly
RULES RESPONSIBLE.
The rules which caused all the trouble
follow:
Enetlve March 16. 1908, the fol-
lowing rules and regulations for tho
s'Vernmcnt OF shop and engine house
'nployes will be Observed The hours
~ work shall be regulated from time
10 Time as nor instruct long frnnt thiu