Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-05-07
YSLABOR MEN
| CAUSED 1911 STRIKE
G. w. Creighton of PennsyI-
vania R. R. Declares Union
Organizers Created Unrest.
C0NTRADICTS TESTIMONY
OF HOYER AND MAURER
Tells Industrial Commission Line Is
Opposed to "Closed Shop and
"Sympathetic Strike"

among the Pennsylvania railroad en-
ployes at Altoona in 1911 to the fact
that labor organizers had been sent to
that place particularly to stir up the
men in order to cripple the road and
to make a strike at Pitcairn success
full, g. w. Creighton. general superin-
tendent of the road at Altoona. today
took the stand and contradicted much
of the testimony given before the in
dustrial relations commission yester-
day afternoon at the Shoreham Hotel
by former Mayor Hoyer of Altoona.
During his testimony Mr.. Creighton
declared that the Pennsylvania COM
pany was prepared to go to any ex-
tent to prevent the CLOSED shop" and
the 'sympathetic strike" He also took
issue with the testimony given by
President Maurer of the Pennsylvania
State Federation Of Labor. in which
the latter declared that the National
Guard and the Pennsylvania state con-
stabulary should be wiped out of eX-
istence. Maurer had testified that or
ganiZed labor was antagonistic to the
National Guard. Mr.. Creighton de-
clared that if the National Guard and
the constabulary were wiped out of
existence it would be impossible to
protect property in Pennsylvania
Answers Hoyer's Testimony.
Answering testimony given by former
Mayor Hoyer of Altoona, Mr.. Creighton
said that the strike had been begun
May 81. 1911, and that the company
had issued an order giving the strikers
until June 2 to get back to work.
He said the company was forced tt
maintain a police force at Altoona tt
protect its property along about sew.
en-mile front. including many impor-
tant buildings. An active patrol wa:
needed, he said. and an appeal wa!
made both to Altoona and the count.
for police after frequent attacks hat
been made on the property.
Has there been any change in the
wage scale of shopmen at Altoona since
1912" asked Chairman Walsh.
NO" was the reply.
Mr.. Creighton submitted figures
showing the average yearly earnings
at Altoona during the year 1911. He
showed that the division officers av-
chinists, s1.oso.7s; shopmen. s7ss.2s:
watchmen, s697.43; engine house men.
$S19.75; fuel and water station men,
S706.09; car cleaners. oilers, etc,
$581.35: all other employees, laborers,
ETC.. $74S.41.
class were classed as ordinary laborers
at an average wage Of $3.50 a month.
Some of the laborers ran as high at A
cents an hour
Commissioner Garretson asked if the
A cents an hour wage was not unus-
ually high. 1t was shown, however,
that a large number of laborsrs were
paid from IS up to A cents an hour by
the company.
In times of retrenchment how do
you decide which men are to be laid
OFF," asked Chairman Walsh.
Loyal Employees Rewarded.
I'VE go carefully over lists and re-
tain the most loyal and efficient en-
ployes," replied Mr.. Creighton.
He told the commission that arms
were not kept at Altoona at time of
the 1911 trouble. but that the com
pany got revolvers from the purchas-
ing agent in Philadelphia for the pur-
pose of defense.
They are always kept on hand in
Philadelphia in times of peace, said
Mr.. Creighton.
He testified that he called upon
and said that If he couldn't give it it
would be necessary to call out the
state constabulary.
Mr.. Creighton natly contradict ed
statements Hlduc by LIZ
commission yesterday that the Penn
sylvania railroad had attempted to
fix" the courts in the interest of men
who were alleged to have had trouble
with the strikers. Mr.. Creighton testi
fled that eventually all but o15 of the
573 men on strike came back to work.
Did you or any officer of the COM
pany try to prevent these men who
failed to come back from getting EN-
ployment elsewhere asked Mr.. Walsh.
NO" replied Mr.. Creighton.
Commissioner Garretson asked
MIR. Creighton believed il had
been right to send a communication to
the pastors of all churches in Altoona
asking them to prevent diSorderly
and trouble.
Il believed it was right to try every
means to prevent trouble replied MIR.
II still think it was right.
DO you think it would have been
right for the unionists to ask the pas
tors to preach in support of the
striker"
II would have done all in my power
to offset such a proceeding was the
answer.
Organizers Created Unrest.
The witness said that 1900 men had