The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1909-12-03

! which contemplates double pay In
| cases where it became necessary 10
| work portion Of the meal hour; ana
elimination of the physical examina-
ton and age limit placed upon switch
men entering the service.
FIVE MEETINGS
Give conferences were held al St
Paul The switchmen in no detail
receded from their demands, which
If conceded. would entail additional
expense upon railroads for switching
service of 40 TO a. per cent.
The managers committee Offered
the switchmen an increase Of 20 cents
per day OF ten hours to switchnen
employed in the territory west OF
Havre, Mont. on the Great Northern;
west of Billings, Mont, on the North
ern 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 over Is per celt
in November 1906, and because the
rates then established were not re-
depression which followed.
"AttentiOn 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
ent rates the wages Of the switChmcn
average over 500 month.
November 23d. in submitting their
final answer to the switchmen, the
managers committee. assuming that
the switchmen desired an amicable
adjustment suggested that the de-
mands be submitted to arbitration un-
der the Erdman act The switchmen
declined to accept the suggestion, and
in 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 the
representatives of the railroads and
switchmen.
November %. despite the under
standing in conference that mediation
under the Erdman act would be invOk-
ed. and without knowledge of either
managers or mediators. a strike order
was issued by the switchmens COM
nittee. directing the switchmen of
thirteen northwestern railroads to
cease work at o'clock November 30
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-
sibe and led to a demand by Knapp
and Neill 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
proper method to settle the differ
ences is offered through decision by
disinterested third party under the
terms of the federal law"
STRIKERS STATEMENT
In behalf of the switchmen, Presi-
dent Hawley said tonight:
I'VE have had no further cOmmuni-
cation from the railroad officials. The
switchmen have been fair in their re-
quests.
we want an advance of cents an
hour 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
penalty more than anything else. as
we want to discourage overtime Sun
day and holiday work
1--WE also ask for modification of
the physical requirements and age
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
now. This strike will result in the
most complete tie-up in the railroad
traffic 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
Pacific 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. l am
positive that 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 inaugurated,
Hawley issued the following:
we have advised every member
that he must keep away from the
compauy's property. obey the law,
commit no violence nor do anything