New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-03
An APPEAL TO TAFT.
Chicago Commercial Interests
Consider AduisaHlity.

Chicago, Dec 2-Railroad managers
interested directly indirectly i'm the
switchmen's strike in the Northwest dis
cussed the situation here to-day. Com
mercial interests in the city alarmed
over the possibility of serious dis
turbance OF the nations business con-
sidered the ACCESSIBILITY of appealing to
President Taft to use his influence to
prevent a spread OF the labor troubles.
Should the strike spread Chicago busi-
ness men fear that the railroads would
refuse to handle freight TO other sections
than the present storm centre.
The joint committee OF railway man
ayers who arrived here from st. Paul
to-day issued the following statement
later:
The millions of people who will suffer
b. reason OF the growing paralysis OF
traffic of thirteen railways entering 81,
Paul and Minneapolis. and by the Throwing
out OF employment of thousands OF men
engaged In mining. manufacturing ana
commercial business requiring ra stit,o IA
due TO the refusal of the membership OF
the Switchmen's Union OF North America
to abide by the proposed arbitration OF dn-
The present strike. called in spite of The
managers Oner 10 aTbludte.
spirit OF fair play which every American
citizen must regard as Fundamental prin-
ciple as between employer and empioye:
The proposal that the question involved
should be arbitratesl was acquiesced i'm by
this committee which assumed that the
switchmen shared the desire for an ami
cable adjustment OF the questions under
consideration and would not willingly bring
upon the public the paralysis OF business;
the immense monetary loss and the actual
hardship which n strike would occasion.
Notwithstanding President iiawiey, OF
the Sw'tchmens Union. Joined with this
committee in the telegram sent November
23 To Martin A. Knapp. chairman OF the
Interstate Commerce Commission. and 10
Charles p Nein, United States Commits
sioner of Labor. inviting their good Offices
as mediators under the E.rdman act. the
strike order was issued without the knowl-
mediators. the switchmen's committee
directing the switchmen TO cease work In
event that their fun demands had not been
conceded a violation of good faith which
led to the present condition. The trans
portaticn of perishable freight has become
practically Impossible. and the result can
not fail to be actual hardship to the public.
Every effort will be made to restore trans
portation conditions TO the normal at the
earliest possible moment
Chairman Martin A. Knapp of the
Interstate Commerce Commission arrived
here to-day with the members OF the
general managers committee from st.
Paul The latter plan TO make Chicago
their headquarters
That little support may be expected by
the striking switchmen from the Brother
hood of Railway Trainmen was shown
here tonight. when w. G. Lee. president
OF the brotherhood. mailed to all lodges
letter which read in part as follows:
Let il be understood that members of the
switchmens union filled the places of our
members during an authorized strike of
the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen on
the Fort Worth Belt Railway in August
of this year. and In the face of such ac-
ton by that organization | cannot under
stand how Hawley can expect our men,
bers TO disregard their own laws and de-
cent methods in order that the present
strike may Re won for him. Members of
the Brotherhood must not take the places
of strikers. but should perform their reg
uler duties or resign and seek employment
elsewhere.
Similar instructions were issued by
President w. s. Carter of the Brother
hood of Locomotive Firemen and En-
ginemen.
Railroad managers on the conference
committee. who returned from St. Paul
to-day, at once began preparations TO
rush non-union men to the strike centres
throughout the Northwest. Four labor
recruiting stations were opened and
nearly n thousand men were hired be-
fore shutdown tonight. Special trains
the Great Northern road left here to-
night and preparations for more trains
tomorrow were made.