Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-04-28
THE STRIKE
SITUATION
UNSETTLED

The influence OF the l. W. W. was
felt in this community Saturday, when
nearly 100 men who have been en-
gagged in track laying on the Salem
Eugene extension of the Oregon Elec-
trio, about eight miles south Of the
city, went on a strike. The men en-
gagged at this work have been recely-
ing $225 a day for 10 hours work,
which has been apparently satisfactory
to the laborers. The only differences
that have arisen was the fore part of
last week, when the men struck ON
account Of the kind Of meals that
were served them. The strikers and
labor disturbances in various parts
OF the Northwest have resulted in
large number Of the I. w. WIS COM
ing to this section, and 1t is largely
on their account that the men quit
work Saturday. The officials Of the
road have always been apprehensive
Of the reprehensible work done by the
]. W. WIS, which has created so much
agitation in labor circles during the
past several months, and were deter
mined that that organization should
not get foothold on the construction
work. Accordingly, as soon as they
learned that a number of their gang
had secured employment, they we're
picked out and dismissed. Several
others were slated to be discharged
Saturday evening, but those first dis
charged at once began to be dis
turbing element among those still en-
ployed. All the I. w. WIS then quit,
and by their threats OF violence they
soon had the more timid of the others
so frightened that they quit work al
so. The men have been receiving
$2.25 for 10 hours and are demand
In $3.50 for nine hours. AS a basis
for further differences they are claim
ing that the employment agents, the
foreman and the time keeper are graft
ing from them. It is a well under
stood fact among railroad contractors
and others engaging a large force of
men, that the men only work few
days at time. The contractors say
they send their demands to the agen-
cies for certain number Of men.
The men are got together as soon
as possible and forwarded to the
scene Of operation. They work few
weeks, or until they have accumulat-
ed a little money, when they become
independent, quit working to return
to the city for good time. The
idlers Of the city roll these "llve
ones" for all they can and all are
soon broke only to return to work
again as soon as chance Of work is
found. 1t has become familiar sight
to Salem people to see almost every
day men going toward the railroad
construction and a large number Of
them coming away.
OF the $50 men employed on the
road at the point where the track
laying is in progress there are still
about 70 willing to work
The strikers came at once to the
city and paraded through some of the
streets, some of them going to the po-
lice station for sleeping quarters and
assistance in getting rooms until they
were able to get their pay checks,
which they did yesterday. OF the men
who quit work, most of them are I.
w WIS, there being a few exceptions,
men who would rather quit than be
involved in labor disturbance. Sew
eral instances of this kind have been
noted within the last few days.
1t is possible for employment agents
to fleece men whom they send to large
jobs of contracting, but, with good la
borers as scarce as they are, II Is not
likely that the contractors would long
tolerate such work, especially while
they are making the effort they are
at present to rush the laying OF steel.
II is reported that the strikers have
rented barn in some part of South
Salem, where they have established
headquarters, and from which they
will keep up their agitation and intim-
ldation among those those who will
be likely to seek employment on the
railroad work.
No especial difficulty has been ex-
perlenced so far by the police depart
ment, as the strikers are very order
ly Two or three representatives OF
the l. w. WIS. or Socialists, as they
are pleased to call themselves, were
In the city yesterday from Portland.
They conducted a meeting at the cor
ner Of State and Commercial streets,
but the speakers did not appear to
stir mp much confusion or disturb
ance by their speeches. It is under
stood, however, that banners are being
displayed in Portland denouncing the
Oregon Electric railroad, which may
handicap the contractors in getting
more men.