The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-09
SHOP MEN UNITE
Every Railroad West of MissiS-
sippi Is Involved.
Shopmen VIII Organize With
Membership of 100000.
4 DEMAND FOR MORE PAY
Labor Leaders Believe They
VIII Overcome Old Weakness.
Failure in Strike on Hartman
Lines Causes Action.
4 DEMAND FOR MORE PAY

Chicago, Feb. 9.-Labor leaders are
secretly perfecttng the formation of g
territorial organization of railroad
shopmen that will include every road
operating west of the Mississippi riv-
er. according to the Record-Herald to-
day.
A meeting to place the finishing
touches on the organization will be
held in Kansas City, March 4.
As soon as the organization is
launched demands are to be made for
a general advance in wages on every
road
It is the aim to unite all the me-
chanical trades on one railroad, so
that concerted action may be taken
when wage demands are made. De-
mands will be made on all railroads in
the same territory at the same time,
so that all railroads will be involved
simultaneously if a strike is called.
Labor leaders say they discovered
the weakness of their former plans
during the recent disputes with the
Hartman lines and Illinois Central
and that the next time they strike it
will be on a broader scale
The new organization, if consum-
mated on the lines planned will en-
brace more than 100, 900 men.
The plan is said to be the most far
reaching of any that has been at
tempted. Railroad managers were
alarmed when they learned that the
shop crafts we're forming federations
on each system, and it was the refusal
of the managers to recognize such fed
erationS that led to the strike on the
Illinois Central and the Hartman
lines.
The system federations aim to unite
all the mechanical trades on on rail
road, so that concerted action may
taken when wage demands are pre-
sented.
The new plan of organization aims
to unite all the federations so that
when demands are made they Will bel
made on all railroads in the same ter
ritory at the same time and if strike
is called it will involve all the roads
simultaneously.
Since the strike on the Illinois Cen
trail and the Hartman lines was call
ed, labor leaders say they have found
out that the other roads were helping
out the ones in trouble by lending
equipment and hauling freight origin
ally consigned to the strike bound
railroads.
They say they have seen the weak
ness of their plans and that the next
time they strike it will be on broader
scale.
They believe that if the employees
in the mechanical departm ents of all
the roads were called out at the same
time it would be impossible for the
to find a sufficient number of
men to take their places
That the federation plan of organ
ization is taking firm hold. the leaders
say, is shown in the fact that the four
big railroad brotherhoods formed a
federation on the Denver & Rio
Grande railroad recently.
This federation includes the locomo-
tive engineers, firemen, brakemen and
conductors. and they are all pledged
to stand together in the event that
either one is involved in a dispute. For
several years the brakemen and con-
ductors have acted Jointly, although I
to separate organizations /
and this is said to be the first time in I
railroad history that the engineers and |
fremen have Joined with the others.
Adenoids Removed at CIty's Expense.