The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1911-01-20

i
What the Men Got.
Abolition of the piece work system il
all repair shops throughout the entire
system. Recognition of the Union. Jobi
back for strikers. Six per cent. increas'
in wages.
General Manager Potter wanted tt
win his spurs at the expense of the
men. and started an era of arbitrary
treatment, and when the men protested
dared them to strike. They took up his
challenge and now the world knows the
result.
The strike has cost the B. & o. al
least $l0,000,00O in actual outlay, not
! figuring the depreciation of rolling
stock, which must be tremendous.
And the Union is not "busted'
The Machinists Union spent $4,000
History of Great Strike.
The International Association of Ma
chinists had been doing business with
the management for four years to the
satisfaction of both parties.
In November 1908, j. d. Harris was
appointed general superintendent of mo-
tive power. He Immediately started tc
destroy any and all organizations of the
workers.
On May I. 1909, 2l2 men struck, as 81
were to be discharged because they re-
belled against the introduction of piece
work and Harris arbitrary attitude
Every effort was made by officers OF
the Association to avoid a general strike
Harris was backed by his uncle, the
third vice president of the road who
dared the Association to call a general
strike
General Strike Called.
On June 2, 1907 73S men walked out
on the main lines of the B. & o. max
inc total of 1850 men who stopped
work. After eleven months confer
ence was held.
Potter and Harris insisted that the
men must give up without any assur-
ance at all. They refused.
Strike Extended.
On May ?, 1910, the strike was eX-
tended to the b. & O. Southwestern, Il
subsidiary line of the b. & o. system,
involving another 325 men.
During the next six months five con-
ferences were held with Potter and Har-
ris. but it was the same old story. The
men could never work for the road un-
less they surrender Internationally.
The men refused, even though the pub
lie and many Unionists believed their
cause was a lost one.
Arrest Union Men.
Vice President Ames and four men,
bers of the Baltimore local were arrest
ed, and charged with conspiracy and at
tempts to dynamite the b. & O. shops.
They were placed under $265,00O bonds.
so had to lay in Jail for six months be-
fore trial took place. After trial, last
ing twentyone days, they were acquit-
ted, even though they did not have one
witness to testify in their behalf. The
jury brought in verdict in seventeen
minutes.
Men Stood Together.
Strikers were charged publicly with
everything under the sun. Every influ-
ence was brought to bear on individuals
and on the men collectively in an en-
deavor to get them to break ranks Re-
gardless of the hardships they stood
together
Tire Officials.
In October Brimson, the general SUI
perintendent of the B. & o. S. W., was
dismissed. In November ]. Hair, SUI
perintendent of motive power, went.
Also the only two master mechanics of
the Southwestern. Also two general
foremen and two roundhouse foremen.
All this Potter and Harris did to shield
themselves against criticism on the part
of the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion and the stockholders and directors
of the road.
The mills of the gods grind slow, but
sure, and Potter and Harris finally land
at the chopping block.
Potter and Harris Fired.
Next master mechanics commenced ia
lose their positions on the b. & O. main
line. This was stopped. The moneyed
interests had enough of the fight for
about December 10,
Vice President Potter was released
and A. w. Thompson appointed to sue
ceed him. Next Harris was looking for