The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-15
WANT A PROBE
ShOpmen Still Quarrel With
Railroad COmpany's Figures.
Say Tools Denied to Striking
Carpenter Who Wanted Them.

Still attacking the figures on men
working in the shops of the Santa Fe
at Topeka, the official statement of
the executive board today challenges
the railroad officials to permit an in
vestigation by ministers and business
men of the number OF men and the
conditions existing in the Santa Fe
shops.
The statement of the executive com
mittee is as follows:
Much has been printed about the number
OF men now working in the Santa Fe shops.
Every morning the public has been told of
a substantial increase. This method of
pany-hss no doubt been intended to in
nuence some of our men to return, but it
has had<iittle effect.
The executive board takes the view that
the reading. public is now entitled to know
the facts, tho they have been trying their
best to show the fallacy of the company's
figures So sure are they of the actHaI
conditions in the shops that they are offer
ing proposition which they nope that the
company officials will readily agree to and
settle this momentous question for some
time and give them an opportunity to de-
velop new line of publicity.
They suggest that a committee made up
OF three ministers and three well known
employees of the shops be sent to all de-
partments of the shops a tour of in
spectlon for the purpose of reporting to
the public the actual number of men EN-
ployed, their classification and their ap-
parent efficiency. In making this PROPOSE
ton it is assumed the company foremen
are competent enough TO properly explain
the nature Of the work in the interest of
the company and the three former en-
ice for the men on strike. After the tour
OF inspection is made it is agreed to pub
signatures in the local press.
1t seems to the committee that this
would be a perfectly fair proposition and
they are sure the result would show which
side is telling the truth about Topeka shop
conditions.
The reading public should also be in
formed of the fact that there have been
eleven engine failures on the eastern divi-
sion of the Santa Fe alone in thc past few
days, one occurring here in Topeka. This
and many other instances of like nature
reflect directly on the workmanship of the
men now employed in the shop and an in
spection tour would positively verify it
The railroad officiali are making every
the public. only yesterday the superin-
tendent of the shops called all clerks and
timekeepers in the shops to his office and
told them in plain words that real facts
were being put out to the public and
warned them that If it was found that any
or them had made statements to outsiders
relative to the conditions in the shops that |
they would be Immediately discharged.
The committee also considered Mr. Pur-
cells return to Chicago was likely due to
loss OF the strike 1t will be remembered |
that several years ago when the local shop |
men organized, Mr.. Purcell was on the job |
next morning, coming all the way from
IL
ful then, as he has been unsuccessful in !!
tnle strike and has passed the buck to the |
IoSat SSGperlntendent who apparently Is
1t seems to US that the company is try i
Ing to prevent men that have gone out on !
strike from working at other work in the /
city by refusing men their tools. car !
penter reported to US yesterday morning |
that he had been refused his tools. A com /
mittee was appointed to go with him and |
make Q second effort to get his tools. On I
at the gate nearest to where his I
tools were located. he Informed that /
a man from the shops would come out for /
an interview. When this man came out 1
carpenter would give him the key so that /
he might go into the shop and unlock the /
tents, that he could not let him have his /
tools. On being questioned by the commit /
tee tee; this his man stated that he had orders
tons that he had just related to them.
The carpenter who owned the tools stated !
that ne nad no objection TO the box being
examined If he was permitted to go in {
and watch the examination.
When this proposition was refused him.
he requested that the box be brought out
to the gate, unlocked. and examined there
and this proposition also was refused.
be able to get his tools. regardless of Mr..
Devenys order, tho 1t may amount to
Special mention was made of Mrs Sarah !
Green. organizer for the American Federn-
n Di N naoor at rI,Io MIo Is 70 SPEAK tomorrow
reputed to have unequaled ability in put
dng before the public the question of
wages and working conditions that con-
fronts the working women Of today
Doctor Gregory. who is also TO give an
address. needs no Introduction in Topeka 1
IL is assured that 1t will be a pleasure to
hose who hear him = i
An international officer from the Rail-
IN address.
We feel that we have speaking pro-
gram which will be enjoyed by the public
IND to which all persons are invited.