The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-31
26 NOnuniOn Mill Workers Quit
Their Jobs Here.
That Is Statement Given Out by
Strike Committee.
NO SIGNS OF A SETTLEMENT
Striking Millers Deny Charges
Made by Employers.
Say No X. C. InstigatOrs Are
Here for WalkOut.

Striking mill workers today emphat-
icallY denied the accusation made by
mill managers that unemployed Kan
sas City brewers were responsible for
the walkout of approximately ESQ
men from five of Topeka's largest
flour mills at noon Wednesday. The
move had been contemplated for some
time, they say, and the brewers had
nothing to do with it.
Indications were today that the strike
would not be settled soon. The union
non-union employees from all the mills
in town had walked out and signed
up with the strikers. who declare they
will not return to work until their de-
mands for higher wages. better hours
and union recognition are met.
Other Mills Affected.
The strikers declared today that the
Shawnee, Topeka and Derby Mills
were also affected by the strike more
or less, all the union men in those
mills having walked out. The per cent
of union men in these three mills,
however, is smaller than in the other
five. 1t is declared that the Forbes
mill has been working from 10 to IL
hours a day Mill managers say they
haveprecognized the 9-hour day for a
year, but declare they cannot pay
more money than the recent advances
offered the men and that they will not
sign for a closed shop. The union men
are also asking time and a half for
over time and double time for Sun
days and holidays.
VIII Not Affect Flour Supply.
The output of flour by the eight
Topeka mills averages about 1909
barrels a day, of which the larger per
cent is shipped. 1t is not believed that
the strike will affect the flour sup
ply in Topeka, as most of the grocers
and mills are well supplied, it is said.
A statement was submitted to the
State Journal today by the union men
denying the charges that the brewers
have anything to do with the local
strike. The statement follows:
Statement of Strikers.
The Cereal Mill Workers union believes
that false impression has been given the
public thru an interview with David Page
W lIeh appeared in the Topeka State Jour
nsA last evening and desires to present the
facts.
1t is absolutely untrue that the Kansas
City brewers are in Aany way connected
with the controversy Fnow on between the
former employees q the five mills and their
managers. The men who quit their jobs at
Il o'clock Wednesday are Topeka men
most of them married-who do not In any
way consider themselves ''riff-raff' and
who are contending for a living wage and
reasonable hours of employment 1t is also
untrue that the men have been working
article, these figures being merely an offer
made by j. II. Nicholson, manager of the
Kaw Mill, after he had shut down the
mills and offered his men these wages If
they would return to work Thursday
morning.
In regard to the statement that the Kan
sas City brewery workers stirred up the
trouble, we want to say that the only
outside member of our organization in the
city Is an international union representa-
tive who was called here to assist the local
committee in presenting the wage agree
ment to the mill managers. He has never
worked in a brewery and has never drank
liquor, nor does he smoke or chew tobacco.
His honesty and integrity are unquestioned.
And Furthermore, had We followed his sug-
gestions. we would not have walked out
Wednesday.
There mas already been - much misrep-
resentation that the union wants the pub
lie to get the truth and hopes that public
sentiment will realize that we must have
sufficient wages to live on and support and
educate our families. (Signed)
BY the committee:
W. T. CASTEEL-
A W. SMITH.
F. P. MOORE.
W. II. GARELL.