The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-16
Thirty Days "yacation" Inti-
mated by Local Union Today.
Workers Also Talk of Operating
Shop of Own.
BOTH SIDES STANDING PAT
Five Topeka Employers Refuse
to Sanction Contract.
Union Secretary Threatens to
Break G. +. Bybee.

limitations that the union me-
chanics in Topeka viii take a thirty
days vacation" soon unless local ma
chine shop and foundry proprietors
sign a contract granting a closed shop
and increased wages. were voiced to-
day by John Broberg, secretary of Lo-
cal No "a, International Association
OF Machinists. The local includes prac-
tically all mechanics outside the Santa
Fe shops
Saying that G. +. Bybee, proprietor
Of the Topeka Foundry. lis mainly re-
sponsible for the refusal of the en-
ployers TO sign up" Broberg threat
ened that the union will break" him
unless he gives in. Bybee was re-
ported 10 be out of the city today. The
opening Of a shop Of their own by the
machinists was also suggested by the
unions secretary.
Reversed Their Decision.
Broberg said that last Monday the
union men and employers met and
agreed on the increase and closed
shop contract Tuesday, he said, the
employers had meeting of their own
and decided not to sign up. The men
are asking a raise of ten cents an
hour. The present wage is said TO be
eighty cents.
THE machine shop and foundry
stand further hikes in wages and de-
MED conditions during the last year
nave changed. in manner to justify it.
They further declare the closed shop
ARRANGEMENT is unsatisfactory because
II does not permit Of paying a man
wages in proportion to his ability and
The amount Of work he performs.
Both Sides Firm.
A determined stand on the question
is apparently being taken by both
sides. Five plants are listed as those
which have refused the contract. They
are me Roll Edge Mattress company,
the Topeka Foundry, the Western,
Foundry. the Scott Weighing Machine
company and the Machinists' Electric
company. Broberg declared that last
year the unions permitted the Scott
company to run an pen shop because
it was just getting started in the busi-
ness, but that this year it was in posi-
tion to pay the union scale and would
have TO do so. Scott declared today
that he had never run a closed shop
and never would.
Il told them" he said, that If
had to grant this arrangement might
This thing happens every year and it
has reached a point where the shops
cannot stand it longer"
Probable Union Action.
I'VE don't want to make any trout
BILE" Broberg declared today. but the
contracts must be signed. They agreed
to it, then backed out I think Bybee
was mainly responsible for this and If
we have to we can break him and do
it very easily"
What will be done in event the con-
tracts are not signed?" he was asked.
Il cannot say definitely. But we
might decide to t-ke a thirty days
vacation. or so to the harvest fields.
And then again there has been sugges-
tions of a shop of our own. That was
done in Chicago with great success,
you know"
Mechaics Number Ninety.
Broberg stated that the Interna-
tional association had informed him
that IL it had to spend $4,000 or more
for strike benefits that the money
might as well be used in buying tools
and equipment for "a union shop.
There are about ninety union me-
chanics in Topeka outside the Santa
Ice ORGANIZATIONS il was said