Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-12-01
Ry Asso Lated Press.)

st. Paul, Nov. 30.-After fifteen
days of negotiating between the
Switchmens Union of North America
and the joint committee of railroad
managers representing thirteen rails
roads Of the northwest, strike in
volving $500 switchmen became eff
fective at 6 o'clock tonight. y -
The men involved in this strike are
employed by the various railroads run
ming west and north of St. Paul, from
Lake Superior to the Pacific coast
and unless speedily settled will mean
a serious interruption to traffic.
The first effect of the strike was a
sharp bulge in the prce of wheat in
the Chicago grain market late today.
AS the roads entering the twin cities
and Duluth and Superior are largely
grain carriers from the west the
prospect of long interruption to this
traffic will mean something.
Within the last two days of the ne
gotiations between the contending
parties, Chairman Martin A. Knapp
of the Interstate commerce commits
sion and United States Labor Commits
sioner Chas. P. Neill, were called in
as mediators under the Erdman law
Of 1898. They were in conference
with the men and railroad managers
committee until early hour this
without result.
In the meantime the situation had
become so acute that President
Frank r. Hawley, Of the Switchmen's
Union called for vote to strike, If
the demands Of the mems represen-
tatives were not agreed to. The vote
according to Mr.. Hawley was unan-
imous. III
The demands of the men are for an
increase Of six cents an hour in pay,
and double time for Sunday, holiday
and overtime work. The regular
work day consists of 10 hours. I
. The men contend that the increase
in business warrants the railroads in
granting these demands while the
railroad officials contend that the
recruperation Of business from 1907
depression is not far enough advanc-
ed to warrant an increase In their
operating expenses.
Speaking for the Switchmen, Pres
ident Hawley said this afternoon:
1--WE have had no further communi-
cation from the railroad officials. The
switchmen have been fair in their
requests, but up to the present time
all they have received has been pro-
misses and few Of them.
<'We want an advance of six cents
an hour in pay and the elimination
of overtime and Sunday work so far
as possible and the request for
double pay for overtime is in the
nature of a penalty more than any
thing else as we want to discourage
overtime, Sunday and holiday work.
s'We also ask for a modification of
the physical requirements and age
limit rules. Examination for en-
ployment on railroads now are as
rigid as those required for service in
the regular army. The age limit var
les. It is IS years here but in some
parts of the county it is 27. That
is to say that man past IS years is
barred from employment by the age
limit.
sWe are not so particular about
the age limit when men are going in,
but when capable employees are being
thrown out of work by this excuse,
we object most strenously to the ap-
p1ication of the rule.
II have never seen time when the
men were so thoroughly organized
and ready for concerted action as in
the present case. This strike will re-
suit in the most complete tie-up of