The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-18
Pay Glowing Tribute to Fair
ness of Big Corporation.
MUST WORK IN HARMONY
Danger of Strike Is Pointed Out
by Treasurer Copeland.
Men Really Want More Pay,
Says General Manager.

Before a crowd that squeezed into
every inch of available room in the
huge Auditorium yesterday afternoon,
officials Of the Santa Fe railway urged
their employees to stand by the com
pany in what promises to be the great
est crisis that railways in this country
have ever faced.
The meeting called by officials of
the road to discuss with employees the
issues involved in the demands of en-
ginemen and trainmen for an eight
hour day with time and a half for
overtime is perhaps without a parallel
in this country More than 1000 men
and women. employed by a single in
stitutiou, packed to the limits. the
ciry's largest convention hall
Immediately after the whistle in
the shops blew at I o. clock the stream
of railway workers began to pour into
the big hall. They came from the
two general office buildings at Ninth
and Jackson streets; from the shops
east of the Santa Fe depot-the larg-
est railway repair shops in the world
and from the shop offices Even the
hospital sent its quota
First came the young women en-
ployed by the company for whom
space had been reserved in the front
part Of the hall Men from the gen
eraI offices followed Immediately be-
hind them and pushed their way into
the building with the shOpmen who
came up shortly after the whistle dis
missed them from their work.
In seats reserved for them. sat Gov
ernor Arthur Capper. Frank P. Mac
Lehman. publisher of the Topeka State
Journal, and officers of the CONNER
cial. Rotary and other civic organ
lzauOns. On the platform, the Santa
F'e Apprentice band offered a short
concert until the meeting was called
to order.
At 4:45 o'clock, Chairman NJ. ].
Drury, superintendent of the local
shops, called the meeting to order
General Manager c. W. kouns was the
first to address the employees.
Kouns' Address.
That enginemen and trainmen de-
handing an eight hour day with time
ana a half for overtime are not in the
least DESTROYS Of having their running
time reduced and that their demands
are being made for the sole purpose of
Obtaining more pay. was the charge
made by the general manager.
Enginemen and trainmen demand
ing increased pay constitute but eigh-
teen per cent of the total railway en-
ployees, the general manager pointed
out in opening his remarks. The 9TH
er eightytwo per cent would share in
none of the benefits of the twenty
five per cent increase in compensation.
he said
We want the eighty-two per cent
of the members Of our family who are
not involved If this trouble to under
stand and appreciate the situation
which confronts the company and
which confronts them" Mr. Kouns
continued We want them to know
that the demand Of the small minority
Is unfair. and if granted. would op-
crate to the disadvantage of and det-
riment to the large majority, and the
community as a whole"
Labor Lenders Ideas
Mr.. Kouns emphasized the fact that
the enginemen and trainmen are
working under a special contract.
The public" he said. somehow has
failed to grasp this fact, the labor
leaders having given the impression
that the fight is to maintain the prin-
eiple of the eight hour day. That is
not So The Santa Fe has an eight
hour day for many employees who
work by the month, starting and quit
ting with the whistle: many others
work by the hour and are paid on
that basis; while the euginemen and
trainmen are employed under a spe-
cial contract which permits them to
charge either for the time put in or
the miles run, whichever brings them