The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-03
FIVE MEETINGS

west Of Billings, Mont, on the North
crn Pacific; the differential in that
territory having obtained for two
years.
"Further concession was declined,
for the reason that the pay of switch
men was Increased owe IS peg cent
in November. 1906. and because the
rates then established We're o re-
Auccd during the period of business
depression which followed.
"Attenti0r was called to the tact
that in 1906 the switchmen were
granted a larger percentage Of in
crease than any other class Of en-
plOyes in the train service. At pres
pH1 rates the wages of the switCnmcn
average over 500 a month.
"NCvcmber 22d. in submitting their
fnal answer to the switchmen, the
managers committee, assuming that
The awit2hmen desired an amicable
adjustment suggested that the de-
manGs be submitted to arbitration un-
der the Erdman act. The switChmen
declined tC accept the suggestion, and
in a final written answer stated that
they would not submit to arbitration
under any circumstances"
CALLED ARBITRATORS
The statement then recites that af-
ter discussion of the proposal to arbi-
trate. at suggestion of President Haw-
ley of the Switchmen's Union, a joint
telegram was addressed to Interstate
Commerce Commissioner Knapp and
Labor Commissioner Neill, asking
them to act as mediators under the
Erdman law.
Continuing, the statement says:
monday was selected for a confer
ence between Knapp, Neill and tn"
representatives of the railroads and
sWitchmen.
November %, despite the under
standing in conference that mediation
under the Frdman act would be .invOk-
ed, and without knowledge of either
managers or mediatOrs. a strike order
was issued by the switchmen's COM
n~Ettee. directing the switchmen of
thirteen northwestern railroads to
cease work at 6 O'Clock November go
in event their full demands were not
conceded.
VIOLATION OF GOOD FAITH
This violation of good faith so
embarrassed the negotiations that
successful mediation became impos-
sible and led to a demand by Knapp
and Neil that the controversy be sub
mitted to arbitration under the Erd-
man act. To this proposal the man
ayers committee willingly %assented,
but the switchmen absolutely de-
clined.
The managers committee believes
the public interests should not suffer
because of this disagreement, where a
proper method to settle the differ
ences is offered through a decision by
a disinterested third party under the
terms of the federal law"
STRIKERS STATEMENT
In behalf of the switchmen, Presi-
dent Hawley said tonight:
We have had no further communi-
cation from the railroad officials. The
switchmen have been fair in their re-
quests.
I'VE want an advance of 6 cents an
in pay and elimination Of over
time and Sunday work as far as pos
sible, and the request for double pay
for overtime Is in the nature of a
penalty more than anything else. as
we want to discourage overtime, Sun
day and holiday work.
We also ask for a modification of
the physical requirements and age
limit rules. Examinations for en-
ployment on railroads now are rigid
as those required for service in the
army.
Il have never seen the time when
the men were SO thoroughly organized
and ready for concerted action as
This strike will result in the
most complete tie-up in the railroad
in the territory affected ever
known. From now On not a switch
engine will move in the territory be-
tween the head of the lakes and the
coast.
REGRETS THE NECESSITY
"The switchmen greatly regret the
action they are forced to take. We did
not wish the strike, and used every
reasonable means to avoid one. | am
positive hat if we had 10 deal only
with the officials of the northwestern
railroads, instead of the general COM
mittee, we would have reached an
amicable agreement. We realize the
inconvenience a strike will cause the
public, but the responsibility does not
lie with the switchmen. They only
asked for that which is justly theirs"
After the strike was i~naugurated,
Hawley issued the following:
I'VE have advised every member
that he must keep away from the
property, obey the law,
no violence nor do anything
would reflect discreditably upon
himself or the organization.
I'VE also insist won strikers strict
ly abstaining from lntoxicants. While
may seem unnecessary, owing to
the remarkable degree OF sobriety
observed by the members Of the
switchmen's union, we feel it is their
duty to have clear heads at such a