New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-10-28
PRESIDENT SANTA FEE
RAILWAY APPEALS TO EN-
PLOYES TO FORECO STRIKE
BULLETIN NO. "a

Chicago, Oct. Fl, 1921
Fellow Employees of the Santa Fe:
The Santa Fe is once more facing
a crisis. The leaders of the various
brotherhood have told us through the
newspapers that a strike is to begin
on our road on November first next.
We are as yet unadvised as to the
classes of employees that will be involv-
ed except that the word is definite
as to the train and engine brother
hoods. In order that you may know
the attitude OF your company in this
important matter, the following an
nouncement is made. The Santa Fe
has for many years had agreements
with the four train and engine bro
therhoods. 1t has in times past had
agreements with other employees, and
it has at all times e~ndeavored to car
ry out to the letter every provision
of those agreements. Minor differ
ences of opinion have arisen from time
to time, but we have always been
glad to meet and talk them over and
have succeeded in living together in
peace and harmony. While the road
was in the possession of the Govern
ment, agreements were made bv the
administration with practically all the
organizations Of railroad employees
and these agreements being nation
wide in extent were applied to the
Santa Fe. When the railroads came
hack the labor board. which had been
formed to prevent differences from
threatening the TRANSFORMATION of the
,,,a,t~x- 1,c,,.J IT, IL.
as made by the Government Admin
istration should continue until chang
ed by order of the Board. The San
ia Fe followed the orders and has
dealt with all its employees under these
agreements and in addition has in
creased wages under the Boards or
ders. In July, 1920, the board made
increase in wages aggregating about
twenty-five percent. effective Nav
lst. 1920, on the ground that the cost
of living had increased to a figure that
warranted such increase. Later, when
a marked decline in prices lowered
the cost OF living, the railroads OF the
country asked that the wages in eff
feet before July, 1920. be restored and
the board, after hearings and invest
granted a portion of the re-
quest, effective as of July lst, 1927.
The Santa Fe put these new wages
into effect.
Our train and enginemen, through
respective leaders asked the rail
(and the Santa Fe among them
for a conference to consider a rest
o~ration of the rates established in July
1920, and a promise that further re-
would not be asked. In view
Of the general lowering of wages
throughout the country and the chang
rs that are taking place we did not
EEL that this could be done. especial
in view of the insistent demand
hat is sweeping the country for low
n freight rates. A strike vote was
ordered and we have been told, not
~ our employees, but by the heals
If the brotherhoods that the strike
'ote was almost unanimous. We do
rot know what it was on the Santa
&c, but we feel certain that it was
ar from unanimous and we do know
hat on certain roads not more than
orty percent voted in favor and on
ore Of these roads we know that
most Of the men will not 60 ort. The
Fe. therefore, finds itself con-
ronted with a threatened strike
Trough the decision OF the Lab
r Board. a body of nine men consti-
rted as the arbitcr under the laws
{ the United States. On the hoard
re three representatives Of the Lab
r and three representatives, Of the
ublic. The management Of the San
a Fe has a drtv to the nubli- 10
i've Il proper service 1T as low rates
: possible. II has a duty TO its en-
to pay them a living wage, and
. mike their working conditions as
comfortable as possible and II has a
utv to its stockholders to give them ]
proper return on the money invest l
a in the property. In its effort TO
mi time attempt to reduce its expens- !
!. but in doing this il is willing to