The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-23
SAYS HE
HOPES RAIL men
WILL WALK OUT
Santa Fe Can Break 1t in
Thirty Days, He Says.
Might as Well Battle Unions to
StandstilI Now.
I'VE CAN RUN OUR TRAINS"
Country Ought to Know ii Men
Can Block Traffic.
TOpekanS Believe He'll Stand
Out Against Wilson.
Might as Well Battle Unions to
StandStilI Now.
WE CAN RUN OUR TRAINS"
Country Ought to Know ii Men
Can Block Traffic.
TOpekanS Believe He'll Stand
Out Against Wilson.

Thru its president, E. P Ripley
dean of American railroad heads. the
santa Fe has taken its stand sQuareiy
against the demands of President Will
son which are considered, by Topeka
railroad officials, as an invitation to
the roads to extend an unconditional
surrender to the train-service brother
moods, and has defied the trainmen
to strike
That statement is based on reports
and press dispatches received here to-
Gay. President Ripley's attitude is set
rorth IN an interview he gave out to
the Tribune just as he was catching a
train in the Chicago station for Wash
ington.
President Wilson's so-called plan
for adjustment of the questions at
stake" said Mr.. Ripley, "is no more
nor less than an invitation to the
railroads to surrender"
What will you tell President Will
son?"
Just what am saying now"
Then you do not think there is any
chance of President Wilson's finally
adjusting matters between the men
and the railroads."
You Never Can Tell.
Il don't think so, but you never
can tell. When we are stood up in a
corner and 1ectured and told what we
ought to do and what will happen to
the nation if we don't do it, there is no
forecasting the result
This is fight in which the entire
country should stand behind the rail-
roads. If comparatively small num-
Der of men can take the bit in their
teeth and demand something and tie
up commerce of the country if they
don't get it. it can be done in anv
other line of business The men start
ed out to enforce their demands with
cut arbitration. We Offered to arbi-
trate in any way. They would not do
it. President Wilson has lined up with
the men"
You think his attitude unfair?"
''Yes, the present schedule calls for
the 100 miles or less a day or ten
hours or less a day. Their demands
mean 25 per cent advance in pay"
How do you figure that?"
1.-The men run, say five hours a day
They want eight hours pay but they
don't give us eight hours service. If
they run 100 miles in four hours and
then work fifteen minutes overtime
they demand pay for an extra day.
hours and fifteen minutes. The
schedule they demand would increase
their hourly pay without increasing
their hours of work.
Hopes for a Strike.
rs there any plan by which peace
can be insured?"
81 know of none just now"
But you have hopes?"
Yes, L hope the men will strike"
''What?"
Exactly that. 1 hope they strike"
"Why?"
''If a small body of men can block
the country's business, the country
ouht to know it. The sooner the bet
ter. That condition ought to be de-
feated at once and decisively.''
There is no doubt in your mind
that a strike would tie up the coun-
try's business ?"
"It would cripple it for a time 1t
would cause a very serious incon-
venience. But the strike could be
defeated We can run our trains"
"How?"
we can run our trains all right"
-tCan the other roads run their
trains?'
Yes"
Then you have no fear of a strike
if it comes?'
None. ] would welcome it. 1t
would be broken in thirty days.
1t is known in Topeka that should
strike be called the Santa Fe has
enough applications for jobs as train
men 20 have full crews on every train
in a few DAYS.