The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-12

plCyes, led by labor OFFICIALS. into the
ranks of the American Federation OF
LABOR remained unchecked TODAY At
mass meeting attended by 500 en-
ployes n the city auditorium Monday
| nleht, labor officials assert at least
l,4oo employees signed applications for
adhlttance into unioT.ization On the
heeis or this move, il became known
To-Day that flame for organization in
the general offices here is bein1
famed strenuously.
Union labor officials today extended
an open invitation for the office ar,-
pioyes' from stenographers to other
hlshiy trained employees to "come
in oie
we VIII organize the offices: we
want TO organize them" a labor or
Sdhizer said today. However. we are
NOT gong to start an out and ont agi-
'a.ioh II the offices. It's up TO the
employees If they want organization
they must first signify their attitude
as did the shop men, and then we will
act -
All Skilled Labor In.
Inc I,4O0 application received Nom
DAY night at the auditorium. after-tbe
oempioyes had found Labor hall too
small and had marched in a bodv ~
tne FORMER place, labor officials said
include acetylcne workers, in eacI,
shop department, blacksrniths. boiler
makers, sheet metal workers, electri-
cienS carmen, car painters painters
ar brake men, air hammer men ma
teriai men, mill men, car carpenters.
Wheelers, car helpers, laborers store
mouse men and others
according to labo- organizer the
oiacksmiths will be initiated into the
local union at the official meeting of
that local Friday night, the boiler
makers Saturday night, the electricians
and sheet metal men Wednesday night
the carmen Thursday night and the
FEDERAL union" men Sunday after
noon All the meetings will be at
Labor hall.
The number of applications obtained
-I,4oo-includes nearly half the total
number of shop employes-3.50O.
Officials VIII Not Fight.
Santa Fe officials, it was learned
today. will not oppose officially the
unionization of employees Briefly
summarized the situation is this:
Director General McAdoo has recog-
nized the right of employees to organ
ize and obtain wages by collective bar
gaining. Should Santa Fe official go
on record here against the organiza-
ton of the men. the matter would be
taken to Washington and, judging
from McAdoo's stand, would arouse
the disapproval of the administration
Employees who are taking steps to
organize have asserted that they will
adopt the aforementioned program.
They will make first their demands to
the road officials here and IL not
recognized will appeal to Washington
for government mediation. Labor
officials promised today that there
would be no strike of the men.
To Avoid Controversy.
made, it is probable that the road
officials will also refer the matter to
Washington In this manner con-
troversy between the men and officials
will be avoided and. under government
control, the matter is really one for
government decision.
The meeting Monday night at the
city auditorium was addressed by
labor officials. Labor officials of ma
tional standing, it was announced to-
day, will be in Topeka this week to at
tend the initiation meetings Local
organizers declare that the "breaking
into" of the Santa Fe shops is one OF
the biggest union labor victories In
the middle west for years 1t was also
announced today that another mas
meeting of shop, employees to receive
additional applications would be held
next week, the exact date to be an
nounced later
Purcell Makes Statement
John Purcell, assistant to the vfco
president. has issued the following
statement which is subscribed to bY
the majority of other Santa Fe Off
cials here:
II unable to see how the men czn
be benefited by joining an organization.
The Santa Fe has always endeayored %
maintain a liberal policy toward its en-
ployes. paying them well employees
Of any other railway are paid. and better
than the employees of many railways are
paid giving the steady employment
during dull times by manufacturing most
of the repairs for equipment used by the
company, instead - purchasing them fin-
ished In the east: providing pensions for
old employees becoming incapacitated. and
paying death benefits. which amounts to
life insurance. ! sure this policy ha0
been satisfactory to at least 90 per cenz
of the employees.