Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-09
Nineteen Lines in Buffalo Dis
trict Face Same Trouble
As Northwest.
TIME LIMIT is UP TODAY
+ Negotiations with Managers at
Chicago Fail, $4,000 to $4,000
Men Will Be Called
Out.

st. Paul, Dec h.-Frank T. Hawley,
president of the Swtchmens Union Of
North America. has authorized the state
ment that a conference will be held on
Monday or Tuesday in Chicago between
board OF managers of the railroads and
committee of the switchmens union
representing those employed on all lines
vest of Buffalo, y. y, but not including
The Northwest, at which time the switch
mon will make demand for the same
concessions asked for by the switchmen
of the Northwest. now on strike. When
asked as to the probably of strike
tf the demands of the switchmen are
refused. Mr.. Hawley said he did not care
10 make a statement at present
HAVE POWER TO CALL STRIKE.
Buffalo, n. Y. Dec 5--rhe committee
Of the switchmen's union. which meets
the general managers Of 10 railroads in
Chicago tomorrow. goes clothed with
absolute authority not only to negotiate
for a settlement but to Immediately call
out all the switchmen between Buffalo
and Chicago II such course Is deemed
necessary. The referendum vote to secure
the sentiment of the organlzat ton and to
give the committee n free hand was taken
some time ago. according to Grand Vice
President Burt. who is in charge Of the
Buffalo district during the absence Of
President Hawley.
Tie district east OF Chicago includes
not only Toledo. Fort Wayne. Detroit
and other important centers but also
takes in points far south as Pittsburg
E mat the ranks of the strikers will be
iucreased by between 1900 and Ia, 900
men If the negotiations which begin at
Cl rago tomorrow fail.
The demands to be submitted at Chi
cago will be for an increase in wages OF
,X cents per hour and time and half
for over time exceeding a 1O-hour double
time for Sundays and holidays and
modification Of the physical test Notices
of these demands were sent to the gen.
eral managers Of the lines in tho Chi
cago- Buffalo district on November so
that the 30 days limit In which reply
must be made expires tomorrow
Grand Vice President Burt to-day re-
ceved a telegram from President Hawley
requesting him to notify all terminals
that the situation in the Northwest is
satisfactory 70 the union officials There
have been no assertions from the ranks,
the message said and the union has re-
ceiVed assurances Of the support OF the
American Federation Of Labor.
ib.AliINthIJS MDN MI fISf<lNIfti.
s.. Paul, Dec. Sold and snow are
now delaying freight traffic on the
Nurthern Pacific and some parts OF the
Grcat Northern railroads moro than the
strike Of switchmen. according to state
nonts issued by the general managers
Of those roads tonight. Passenger trains
are from one to four hours late in St
Paul tonight.
According to official statement. the
Northern Pacific has all the switchmen
here that 1t needs now and new arrivals
are shipped West
General Manager Gruher tonight said
that the Great Northern had moved rs
cars OF wheat into Minneapolis to-day.
President Hawley OF the switchmen's
union stated that he had received word
from several eastern points to-day to
the effect that switchmen in those places
are ready to strike on moments no.
tice
PLEDGE STRIKERS SUPPORT.
Chicago. Dec, 5-Cnions affiliated with
che Chicago Federation Of Labor to-day
Endorsed the stand taken BY tho striking
railroad switchmen in the Northwest and
pledged tho strikers moral and financial
support. Attacks were made in the fed
Grafton meeting on the Brotherhood of
Railway Trainmen for its refusal to SUD-
port the strike.