Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-12-06
Intimate That Strike Will
be Avoided if
Possible.
DEMAND SURE TO COME
Situation in Northwest CompIi-
Gated by Snow, Which I'M
pedeS Traffic.

Washington, Dec. e.-The General
Managers association, which Will rep
resent 81 eastern railroads in negotia-
tons with the operating trainmen's
unions for a 10 per cent increase in
wages expects the employees PROPOSE
ton will be submitted the latter part
Of this week. A member of the Cen
eraI Managers association declared to-
day no hostility existed now between
the roads and the men, and none will
be permitted to exist 50 far as the
roads are concerned.
snow CompIicates Situation.
st. Paul, Dec. 6-The swttchmen's
strike situation has been complicated
by cold and snowy weather. which has
seriously affected freight traffic on the
Northern Pacific and some parts OF
the Great Northern, according to state
ments issued by the general managers
of those roads last night.
General Manager Slade OF the North
ern Pacific said freight is tied up all
along the system on account Of the
snow, and especially in northern Min
nesota and North Dakota. Passenger
trains are being run with two engines.
Trninmasters Ordered Out.
ST. Paul, Mimi, Dec. 6.-Presideat
Sheppard of the Order OF Railway Con-
ductors Of Cedar Rapids. Iowa, after a
conference with other national officers,
has ordered out the members OF the
conductors organization who through
the recent strike on the Northern Pa
cific and Great Northern have been
acting as trainmasters in charge II
nonunion switchmen.
ChIcagOnns Endorse.
Chicago, Dec. G.. Endorsing the
stand taken by the switchmen in the
northwest. unions affiliated with the
Chicago Federation OF Labor yesterday
pledged the strikers moral and finan-
ciaI support. Bitter attacks we're made
on the railroad brotherhoods who have
refused to aid the switchmen.
That the men in Chicago expect to be
drawn into the struggle was made plain
by James B. Connors, vice president
of the switchmen's union, who declar-
ed that If a strike is ordered here the
union men belonging to the Brother
hood of Railroad Trainmen will go out
with the switchmen and refuse to be
led by a wolf in sleeps clothing"
Says All Are Ready.
President Hawley of the switchmen's
union in ST. Paul announced last night
that the men at all eastern points
were prepared 70 strike on moments
notice. but that the situation at this
time does not warrant ordering them
out. as the tie-up in the northwest is
practically complete.
Decide whether 10 Strike.
New York. Dec. 6.-At a conference
of the Brotherhood of Railroad Train
men held here yesterday. Grand Mas
ter Lee and Fifth Vice President Muir
dock were named as a committee 10
decide whether the men shall go out
or remain at work in case the demand
which they will shortly present to 50
eastern railroads for a 10 per cent in
crease in pay is refused. It is expect
ed that the final schedule Of grievances
will be in the hands of the railroad
managers Thursday OF Friday of this
week.
Statement Issued.
The following statement was issued
at the close of the conference:
Before a general strike can be call
ed It must have the official sanction
of the grand master. In the event of
the refusal of the demands a poll will
be taken for the purpose of reendors-
ing the demands i'm order that the gen.
eral strike when called may be unani-
nous and effective. The demand has
already been endorsed, once by more
than a two-thirds vote of the member
ship.
The movement planned will have
nothing I'm common with the general
strike being conducted at present by
the Switchmen's Union of North Amer
lea. which is distinctly a rival and an
enemy of the Brotherhood of Railway
Trainmen.7
This statement represents 100000
switchmen and trainmen.