Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-12-30
THE "OPEN SHOP" QUESTION
STOPS NEGOTIATIONS
AT ST. PAUL
STRIKE MAY SPREAD OUT
If GOVERNMENT DOES NOT lN-
TERVENE MAY SWEEP
COUNTRY


the controversy between the railroads
of the northwest and the striking
switchmen instead of resulting in an
amicable settlement of the strike, re-
suited in wider breach than hereto
fore existed. The switchmen declare
negotiations are terminated, and the
labor leaders say there is strong
possibility of general strike by the
allied orders belonging to the railway
branch Of the American Federation Of
Labor.
H. B. Perham, who has been acting
chairman of the railway council here,
tonight started for Washington, where
he will seek Intervention by the gov
eminent in the controversy.
What II your efforts to secure in
PREVENTION by the government fail?"
Perham was asked. Then there I'M
doubtedly will be general stike,"
was the emphatic reply
President Hawley OF the switch
mems union, asserted:
Several other members of the rail-
way council besides Perham left for
their headquarters tonight to prepare
for strike by their respective ord
ers"
Perham said:
Friday we were on the verge of q
settlement with the railroads We
thought that the matter would be
fixed today. But this morning the
railroads presented mysterious
change Of front, and assumed such ar
rogance that we decided to have moth
ing more to do with them. l am leav-
ing tonight for Washington; have
business in Chicago and Cincinnati
first, but will arrive at the capital on
Thursday. AS Intervention by the
state authorities has failed, shall
seek aid ofthe United States in end
ing the controversy that is causing
bankruptcy and suffering among the
innocent, who have no voice in the
matter"
Perham would not state to which
department at Washington he will
appeal, and said he may seek the in
terest of the interstate commerce COM
mission and may take the matter up
directly with Taft.
The railroad officials refused to take
back all the switchmen at once, but
agreed to re-employ all those they
have places for, and gave the switch
men until noon Wednesday to accept.
The offer was Immediately rejected.
This afternoon Hawley and Perham
asked Governor Eberhart to invite
the interstate commerce commission
to intercede. The governor replied
that he did not care to act on this re-
quest until he had consulted the at
torney general, who was absent and
will not return until tomorrow.
Chicago. Dec. 27-The general man.
ayers association gave out the follow
ing today:
The conference between the rail-
roads and President Hawley of the
switchmen's union ended in Governor
Eberhart's Office this morning.
"Hawley demanded that all striking
switchmen be reinstafed at once.
pending settlement through the Chi
cago conference. The railroads Offer
ed to take the men back as fast as
possible without displacing the men
now at work. Hawley would not
agree to anything but complete rein
statement Of all the men, seauent-
ly further negotiations ended.
The only important point Of DIFF
ference was complete reinstatement Of
all the strikers at once.
The railroads today officially noti-
ded Governor Eberhart that they will
hold open their proposition to Haw-
ley until Wednesday, II he cares to
accept It,"
Washington, Dec. n " Secretary
Morrison OF the American Federation
OF Labor, explained the coming con-
ference OF the railroad department Of
the federation as a step in the general
agitation for increases OF wages all
along the line for railroad men.
The four big brott erho ds--engin-
eers. conductors. iremen, and train
men--are not members of the railroad
department. Morrison said he lew
ed they will Be represented at thu
conference.
photographers boilermakers, machin-
lists. freight handlers, clerks, switch
men. and the various unions Of shop
workers comprise the railroad depart
ment Of the federation.
Commissioner OF Labor Neill said
he supposed q poll of all the or0aniza-
tions affected would have to indicate
strike sentiment among the men be-
fore one can be ordered
Buffalo. DC. 27--Failure az negotia-
tions ct st. Paul is regarded here as
the forerunner of similar result of
the Chicago conference. at which this
territory is represented
The attitude Of the railroad Inter-
ests at ST. Paul. said Grand vice
President Burt Of the switchmenss
union tonight, Indicates plainly that
the basis OF settlement in the north
west must be acceptable to Ill the
roads included II the general manax-