The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-30
SWitchmen's Union of America
Threaten to Go Out.
Demand an Increase in Pay on
the Great Northern.
NO TROUBLE HERE.
Railroads Are Not Looking for
Clash in Topeka.
Santa Fe Employs Switchmen OF
Other Union.

st. Paul, Nov. Something but sur
render by the Switchmen's Union of
North America or the unexpected con-
cession by the railroads to the switch
men of their demands can prevent a.
strike Of the switchmen of all north
western railroads at o'clock this even
ing. Late today no hope of concessions
by the railroads was apparent.
I'VE will fight" declared President L.
w. Hill of the Great Northern railroad.
I'VE carried the men through the finan-
cial depression without cut in pay.
Every five years or so we have to meet
this question and it now is time to set
tie it,"
President Hawley, of the Switchmen's
union, maintained the demands of the
men We're reasonable. They ask 1or an
advance of cents an hour and double
pay for all Sunday work and overtime
in excessof 10 hours.
According to Frank T. Hawley. presi-
dent of the Switchmen's Union of North
America, a strike order has been issued
to take effect this evening.
The order is issued to all Of the union
switchmen from Lake Superior to the
Pacific coast and applies to all Of the
railways of the northwest.
Unless we get some substantial con-
cessions before o'clock this evening"
said Mr.. Hawley, "all of our men will
strike. The mediators, Martin A.
Knapp. for the interstate commerce
commission, and Charles P. Neill,
United States labor commissioner, have
have failed"
Two of the three big roads running
into Topeka would be seriously affect
ed by Strike among the switchmen
of the country. The Rock Island and
fhn hi
and nothing but union labor. The San
ia Fe employs members of the Switch
mems Union, SWitchmen who belong to
the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen
and nonunion men.
A strike, if declared, would paralyZe
the Rock Island and the Union Pacific
In their freight traffic TIE Rock Is
land yards in Topeka are always fill
ed with freight traffic. A strike among
the switchmen would mean a complete
lull in the business here. There are
about ten men in the Rock Island
yards. The Union Pacific employ about
the same number.
Henry Lautz. assistant to General
Manager ]. E. Hurley, was surprised at
the news of the proposed strike today.
. Mr. Hurley has been in st. Paul
about two weeks attending this meet
ing of the general managers of the
western roads and he has sent me
rotes now and then but there has been
come. 1t would seem that the railroads
and the union are in the midst of ne
Sotiations at this time. 1 have heard
nothing of a strike.'
General Manager Hurley is in st.
Paul at this time. The general mana
convened at st. Paul about two weeks
ago to listen to the demands of the
switchmen union. This committee is
the same famous committee that met
trainmen and the switchmen all made
large demands.
According to the officials, a strike
would have little effect on the Santa
Fe. They employ about 40 switch
men in Topeka and probably 25 of
longing to the Switchmen union.
The rest of the men belong to the
B. R. I. or are non-union men. A
strike in this city would not be as
Rock Island and the Union Pacific.
There are probably rs switchmen al
together in this city.
The switchmen are now getting
from 81 to 81 cents an hour. They
are asking for an advance of six cents
an hour and double time for all Sun
day work and overtime in excess of
ten hours.
None of the switchmen in Topeka
are aware of the contemplated strike.
ThOSe VINO were seen about the mat
ter said that they had received no
official information of any kind from
headquarters and could make no
statements as to the alleged coming
strike. They admitted that they were
asking for raise of six cents an hour
and commented on the fact that they
deserved the money. 1t is not
thought that any trouble will be made
if the strike is declared. The Rock
Island and Union Pacific employ
union men altogether and have none
for substitution. The Santa Fe has
enough non-union and B. of r. T.
men to take the place of the union
strikers.