The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-03
Workers Demand Safeguard of
Rights in Any Settlement.
Want Protection in Seniority
Rights During Present Strike.
TELEGRAM SENT FROM Topeka
Representatives of Over 1000
Employees in Session Here.
Is First Appeal of Association
Which Succeed Unions. e


The new associations of Santa Fs
employees. which would displace the
un.cn organizations in the shops. hAvs ,
reached the point in the process OF
their organization where they ara de-
nlauding recognition from PrssiGens
Harding and the United States labor
board in compliance with certa In pro-
visions of the transportation act.
The first move by the shop EN-
ployes now at work to gain such az
tention vas made today when more
than 1900 shopmen, supervisors anL
stationary engineers, firemeIa and oil
ers of the Santa Fe lines, thru repre-
sen;at4ves in session at Topeka, sd'
dressed by telegraph, a resolution to
President Harding and the board ask
ing for the protection of their senior
ity tights
In doing so the new associations,
which have been whipped into shape
during the past ten days, have picked
up the fight which the railroads start
ed for them earlier in the week in re-
jecting the presidents proposal that
the men on strike be taken back with
their seniority unimpaired and that
the seniority of all new employees be
based upon the length of time spent
in the service.
Want Seniority Rights.
The men who remained on the job
and those who entered the service
| since July 1. demand that their rights
be safeguarded in any settlement of
the shopmen's strike. They arc en-
titled, they say, to protection in the
| matter of seniority rights acquired
since the strike began. and declare
that failure to redeem the board
promises of seniority would be "be-
| trayal of the men who remained
! loyal"
The crafts struck against decisions
of the board the message said, and
| FaRnPniIa IN 70.
1 employees who stayed on the job would
! destroy faith in the government. The
telegram also stated that the strikers
have openly Threatened to run out
| of the various shops all men now en-
ployed therein" and asks that the la
Dor board insure protection against
such an eventuality. B. NJ. Jewell.
head of the strikers. is accused OF
Haunting his contempt for govern
ment authority in calling a strike on
forty-eight hours notice.
Text of Message.
The text of the message follows:
'AWe. the undersigned. duly elected
representatives of the Santa Fe Su-
Ipervisors asso ociation; the associations
of the various shop crafts, and that
| of the stationary firemen, oilers and
lstatiOn%y engineers, representing ap-
F., proximateIy 1900 employees on the
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe rail-
way system, are appealing to you for
full protection Of our seniority rights.
which we confidently expect you will
give, because of the assurance given
| in the resolution of July 3 by the
| United States Railroad Labor Board.
and by expressions made by you in
your speech delivered at Marion,
| Ohio. The views of those we repre-
sent are set forth in the following
resolution. which we trust will be
given the consideration that express
| sions of loyal American citizens
should always receive when respond
ing to the call to duty by their presi-
dent. or his representatives:
Whereas. The United States Rail-
road Labor Board. after gathering all
evidence obtainable from all available
sources, rendered decision which
reduced wages of certain railway en-
ployes. and,
Whereas, This decision was con-
CURED in by all members of the board
excepting those OF the group repre-
senting la Dor, and
| Whereas, Mr.. Jewell president OF
the railway employees department of
| the American Federation of Labor,
with less than forty-eight hours' no.
tice. ordered strike of all members
/ of the crafts. and
Refused To Meet Labor Board.
| whereas, Mr.. Jewell and his ad-
visers refused to meet the board and
Representatives of the railroads on
Friday, June 13, preceding the strike,
/ or to make move or suggestion that
and thus Haunted his and their con-
tempt of legally constituted board
| representing the government and the
people of the United States and,
| Whereas, The labor board, after
doing all in its power to prevent or
postpone the strike. invited all loyal
American citizens to stand by the gov
| ernment, and promised all men ao-
cepting employment protection ana
seniority in their positions. this prom
Use being ratified and approved by the
president of the United States and the
| executive officers Of the various rait-
roads of the country. and,
| Whereas, The members and off,
! GERS of the several crafts have openly
| threatened to run out Of the various
4 shops all men now employed therein,
/ including foremen, when they (tha
crafts) returned to work, and.
Men Kept Away From Work.
whereas, These threats linked with
the press reports of peace being near
minds of the men in fear and uncer-
tainty, thus keeping many men FROM
returning to work. and.
| Whereas We have reason to be-
I.eve that this is the only motive that
actuates the strike leaders in putting
out this peace offensive as they call
it. Therefore be II.
Resolved. BY the men employed
in the shops of the Santa Fe railway
That having confidence in the prom
ises of the labor board. backed by the
president Of the United States. and be.