The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-21
HAS CAUSED TALK
State Journal Rock Island Strike
Prediction Discussed.
Statement Made by Head Off
GERS of the Road.
THEIR SIDE OF 1T
Why Road Has Turned Down
Requests of ShOpmen.
Believe Men Are Being Treated
Fairly ON Lines.

The prediction of the State Journal
Monday evening, to the effect that the
recent statements of the Rock Island
officials on the strike situation was the
! first sign of independence of union
shop labor, has caused considerable
comment and discussion in railroad
circles. The predictions are both
favored and denied.
The statement signed by w. A. Net
Teton, general superintendent of mo-
tive power; w S. Tinsman, A. E:
! Sweet and w. NJ Whitenton, general
| managers, was left out of the State
Journal Saturday evening by mistake.
AS a result of the strike article in the
paper Monday evening came as a sur
prise to railroad men who did not read
the statement
Rock Island officials in Topeka feel
that it is putting the matter too
strongly when it is stated that in his
stateme nts to the men, General Mana
ger Sweet and the other officers pub
licly denounce the action of the union
shopmen.''
That the public might read the ulti-
matum from the Rock Island-the
stateemnt that was left out of the
State Journal Saturday evening by
mistake-it is printed below:
Statement in Full.
In view of rumors of an impending
strike of the shop employees of the
right of the public to have full infor-
nation on a question that involves its
welfare, as we'll as one which involves
the surrender to a committee of en-
ner the corporation shall perform its
service to the public, the following
statement is submitted:
The policy of the company has al
ways been one of fairness toward its
employees. 1t has withheld retrench-
ment of forces as long as possible. 1t
has always paia wages equal to those
of contiguous lines. Its men have al
ways served under working rules and
conditions as favorable as those of con-
tiguous lines
In view of these facts and the pres
ent conditions of the country, this
company could not consider anything
that contemplated an increase in it's
of shop employees, at the beginning of
the conferences, over four months ago,
were fairly advised of this.
But, notwithstanding that notice, the
above committee insisted upon press
ing negotiations that finally terminal
ed November 10, 1911.
Briefly, the issues upon which the
employees committee justify a strike /
are follows:
First-They demand that the pay
ment of five hours minimum overtime |
shall commence one hour earlier than |
at present.
of increased expense, with no COM /
pensating return.
Second-They demand that any en-
ployee called to work overtime shall
sob called or held for, unless other
emergency work arises which requires
immediate attention and he is the only
man of his craft on duty
The company declines this, because
of increased expense, and for the rea-
son that a man is given a minimum
of five hours pay if he works after 6
a. m. or D. IN. The company has a
time paid even though the job for
which he is called may not consume
all of that time.
Ability Over Seniority.
Third-They demand that laying off
and employing men shall be governed
by seniority.
The company declines this, for the
reason that its schedules with all 9TH
er employees provide that ability of
the individual shall be taken into
consideration in employing and pro-
melting men and in reducing forces.
existing evils are:
1t is the duty of the company to
treat all employees alike and to give
all fair and equal consideration, to the
end that the most efficient, honest and
diligent wofkmen shall be given steady
and for the further rea-
son that if forces We're to be reduced
in the manner demanded by the en-
ployees it would permit them to indi-
cate those to be laid. off, thereby pro- {
hibting the company from Kidding the ]
service of the less desirable employees,
and thus embarrassing it in its efforts
for economical operation. {
FOurtl-They demand that only run
mir e repair w1rk'' be done when shops {
are closed; that time and one half be s
paid to men employed in regular hours, +,
when shops are closed, upon niscellan-
eous repairs to locomotives or cars or !
what l.
dead work. (
The company declines this, because of
increased expense which would result :
from an idle force of such men. a great =
er part of the time, as are necessary :
to be employed in keeping up running ,
repairs when shops are closed, and de- r
clined for the further reason that it :
prevents the company from exercising
its rights to conduct its own business
in the most economical manner
Would Prevent Organization. {
Fifth-They demand that 10 foreman,
either regular or temporary, be permit s
TED to work at any time when mechan-
les are available. T
The company declines this for the !
reason that such a rule would prevent J
the company from retaining its fore t
zen and thus maintaining its organiza-
ton in times when shops are closed {
Slxth-They demand that applicants [
-or employment shall only be required
10 give the name, position wanted. ad-
1ress ard address of nearest relative
This question also involves the right
II the company to secure the personal
'ecords of applicants for employment,
Ind, indirectly, although not appear
ng in the demand the ability of the
to apply itI pension sysem
like to all employees.
The pension system, created to care
or aged employees, is frankly opposed n
~ the committee representing the p
employees in the mechanical crafts. G
The company declines for the reason F
hat it has one application blank for n
III candidates for .-ernnI l,-,,n ant Il | il