The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1909-12-03
The Most Complete
Tie-Up of Railroad
Traffic Known,
StrikerSDemandS
Reasonable, They
Ask for Raise Of.
G Cents.

In 4 statement prepared Wednesday
by the press committee of the local
switchmen's union, the men on strike
thus present their side OF the contro-
yersy;
TO the Public:-ln view of the con
ditions of this city and the apparent
effort to develop sentiment for the rail
way corporations, due to strike of
sWitchmen in Everett as per the news
items in the daily papers of this
date, we, the press committee, offer
this reply for consideration by all par
ties. including the third party, who
we expect to see referred to very much
in the future by our friends the enc
my.
"First-There are thirty regular and
eight extra switchmen in this city. Of
that number there are but three who
receive the wage mentioned by tn news
items to date--thirty seven cents, Those
three men are night foremen of en-
gine crews. The remainder OF the force
receive thirty-five cents for foremen
and thirty y-two cents for helpers; the
night helpers receive thirty-four cents.
Second managers committee,
by the statement issued, prove that
they wish to cast reflections on our or
ganization, by quoting the highest wage
of thirty seven cents and, in failing to
the price list, they show them
selves willing to mislead the public
"Third-As to the statement of the
managers committee, that in 1906 the
switchmen received an increase of
wages. that is correct, though the same
committee fails to state that the cost
of living has more than overbalanced
that increase in the same time. And
when the public consider that the rail
way companies cut the working forces
to the quick, as it We're, the least pos
sible limit. and that we are not re-
sponsibe for that period of depression
which we expect to see referred to so
much an apparent reason is presented
for our request for an increase in pay.
"Rourth-The managers committee
also refer to the total wage received
by us as one hundred dollars; but when
the public understand that if we work
SUNDAYS, holidays and overtime, gen
erallv that would be correct, the public
should not forget that we do not en-
dorse overtime and that We claim that
onr work is hazardous and we wish to
spend a fair portion of the time at home
with our families hence the pubic can
appreciate our positions.
"In concluding this statement we wish
the public to read F. G. Hawley's state
ment, of the switchmen's union of this
state. which follows:
"Ne have had no further communica-
tion from the railroad officials. The
switchmen have been fair in their re-
quests.
"We want an advance of 6 cents
an hour in pay and the elimination OF
overtime and Sunday work as far as
possible and the request for double
nav for overtime is in the nature of
penaltv more than anything else, as
we want to discourage overtime, Sun
day and holiday work.
"Nye also ask for modification of
the physical requirements and age limit
rules. Examinations for employment on
railroads now are as rigid as those re-
ouired for service in the regular army
81 have never seen the time when the
men were so thoroughly organized and
ready for concerted action as is the
nresent instance. This strike will re-
suit in the most complete tieup of rail-
road traffic in the territory affected
that ever has been known, not even ex-
cepting the great strike of 1894. From
now ON not a switch engine will move
in the territory between the head OF the
lakes and the Pacific coast.
"The switchmen greatly regret the
action that they have been forced to
take. We did not wish to strike, and
used every reasonable means to avoid
one. and / am quite positive that if We
had to deal only with the officials Of
the northwestern roads instead of will
the general committee we would have
reached an amicable agreement. We rea
lie the inconvenience which a STRIKE