The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-31
Cut in Topeka Shop Force Ell
fective Saturday.
Corresponding Reduction vii
Be Made at Albuquerque.
NOTICE TO Be SERVED TODAY
Railroad Preferred a Reduction
of Time, Is Claim.
Proposition Was Rejected by
Workers, Wells Says.

Approximately $50 more men will
be laid off at the Santa Fe shops in
Topeka, and a corresponding reduc-
tion in forces at Albuquerque, New
Mexico; Cleburne. Texas; and San
Bernardino and Richmond. California.
Notice will be served on the men to-
day, effective Saturday night. The
exact number of men to be laid off
at the shops, other than at the Topeka
shops has not yet been determined
The local officers in other shops Will
arrange to keep forces sufficient to
handle the business.
Practically Closes Some Shops.
The number of employees in the To-
peka freight car shops are not IN
cluded in today's order, but the loco
motive and passenger car shops prac-
tically will be closed for the present
altho emergency work will be handlen-
The forces in the other departments
will be sufficient to take care OF the
work that comes in.
A. G.. Wells of Chicago, vice-pres1-
dent of the Santa Fe, made the an
nouncement this morning after con-,
ference with the general managers
of the system lines and John Purcell
in charge of mechanical matters
Nothing To Do" Says Wells.
''It is very much to be regretted that
said in conversation with reporter
for The State Journal. I'VE have Kept
shoDmen at work wherever possible
and laid them off only when the ex-
igencies of the occasion required IT,
when there is nothing to do, reduction
in forces is inevitable. The Santa Fe.
I believe. kept its wartime forces IN
tact longer than any other railroad
I'VE made strenuous effort to have
our cars, which got off the line our
back home, and these have been re-
paired or are being repaired rapidly,
in preparation for the forthcoming
movement of new wheat. During the
slump in business our Ioeomonvees
have been overhauled and generally
are in excellent condition. Everything
possible was done to find work for the
men. We have gone the limit IN TINS
respect We have hoped and still
hone for an Improvement in business,
but it has not come In the emer-
gency there is but one thing to do
reduce expenses by reducing forces,
temporarily. I hope.
Couldn't Work Part Time.
1.-THE Santa Fe would have preferred
to have kept all the men at work on
short time, but under the national
agreement made by the unions and
the United States railroad administra-
ton this could not be done. If the
men had accepted our proposition for
reduction of time instead OF a reuuc
ton of forces, practically nobody
would have been laid off. Our propo
sition was rejected.
Storey Recommended Part Time.
In a recent statement to the EN-
ployes of the system, w. b. Storey.
president of the road, expressed regret
that it was impossible for the men to
continue working at part time, under
the national agreement.
The statement issued by President
Storey was as follows:
1t is with great regret that we have
found it necessary to again curtail employ
lneut on our road. We had hoped that
revival in business would come in ample
tiiac to enable to proceed with all our
work as IN times past. The resumption
hoped for has not come and 1T therefore
becomes necessary to further postpone
this end instructions have been issued tc
review all work in hand with the thought
of eliminating everything that can be post
poned and of dispensing with all unnec
tlint we cannot retain all our old employees
by working only part time, as for instance
half the force three days and the othel
half three days but under the nationa
agreement rules this Is not permissible.
/ nSk each remaining employe to strive
in every way to assist in our economy
drive, more particularly by giving careful
attention to his her duties and by point
ing out to those in charge any waste tina
can be avoided. I also ask help in tht
way of getting business for the road-le
everyone become n solicitor 1t Is sincere
ly hoped that conditions may improve II
the near future. but until that time come
1 ask the help Of every employe in bridging
w b. STOREY. President.