The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-22
kinsley Declares War on Next
can Track Men.
Petitions Public Utilities Com
mission for Aid.
PREVENT WINTER SUFFERING
Citizens Accuse Santa Fe of
Preference to Foreigners.
Henry Lautz Says Americans
Will Not Work.

The recent drouth in Kansas cauS-
ing shortage in labor over the state
opened up new source of emergency
today when the state public utilities
commission received a petition from
kinsley demanding that action be
taken Immediately requiring the Santa
Fe railway to hire Americans instead
of MeXicans on the track work in
that part of the state. 1t is alleged i'll
the complaint that owing to the short
crops in that locality the Americans
need all the work the railroad can
give them and that there will be suf-
fer1nS this winter at kinsley unless
the Santa Fe does away with Mexican
labor and hires white men.
Henry B. Lautz, assistant to the
general manager of the Santa Fe in
topeka answered the complaint YER
bally this afternoon by stating that
the Santa Pc is working only a few
white section gangs in Kansas at this
time on account of the refusal of the
Americans to do track work, that the
railroad always was willing to hire
white men, that it is heavy cost to
the Santa Fe in bringing MeXicans to
this country from New Mexico and
the necessity of furnishing bunk cars
for their living.
The Kinsley complaint is signed by
$50 residents of that city and insin-
yates that the Santa Fe gives prefer
ence to the MeXicans over the Kfnsley
citizens even including higher wages
Mr.. Lautz answers this by saying that
it is the intention of the road to keep
the Mexicans separated from the
Americans in the manner of living.
laborers.
Contents of the Petition.
The petition from Kinsley reads:
Whereas, The Santa Fe Railway
company has imported and employed
on it's right of way a large number of
MPXj09nG w
ployed in and adjacent to the city of
kinsley, and
Whereas, Many of our citizens are
in dire need of employment, and
Whereas Said Mexicans are given
the preference over our own citizens
by said railway company because of
its rule in regard to length of service,
and
Whereas, Said Mexicans are paid
higher wages than are paid to white |
citizens in this, to wit: That said Mex |
leans are furnished cars in which to |
live and fuel to burn in addition to |
receiving the same money wages that
are paid to white men who are fur |
nished nothing, and
Whereas, On account of short |
crops and hard times in this part of |
the state many American families will |
be compelled to seek aid from the |
unless they can find employ !
ment and the policy of the said rail- !
way company in imposing and prefer |
ring Mexican labor is a menace to
American labor. now, therefore,
1--WE. the undersigned, citizens of |
Kan, hereby petition and re-
quest the public utilities commission |
to do all in it's power to influence the !
said Santa FEE Railroad company 20
it's policy of preference to
labor and if necessary to take |
such legal steps as are available to rid !
the state of the Mexican scourge in
order that American labor may OBJ
tain employment and a living wage"
Secretary w. P. FEEDER of the pub
lie utilities commission said that the
petition would be referred to the
Santa Fe Railroad company before
further action was taken.