The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-10-30
M'NUTT TAKES
ACTION TO BAR
UTILITY STRIKE
Indiana Would Be ParaIyzed
by WaIkout, Statement
Points Out.
MEDIATION IS ORDERED
Board of Three to Hear
Dispute to Be Named
Tomorrow.


with the appointment of a three
man mediation board to be named
tomorrow in an attempt to settle the
Existing controversy between union
employees of the Public Service Com
pany of Indiana, the Northern Indi-
ana Power Company and affiliated
companies and operators.
The Governors action in provid-
ing for mediation forestalled strike
of union electrical workers which
would have effected more than 83l
Indiana communities including In
dianapolis.
The walkout had been called for
last night by Irwin Knott, business
agent of Local No. 9, International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers,
Chicago.
Governor McNutt's statement fol-
lows:
MY proclamation for calling of
the threatened statewide utility
strike, and agreeing to name a
board of mediation was issued prln-
cipally in the interest of the people
of Indiana. My chief concern was
to prevent a denial of electric and
gas service to more than a third OF
the people of the state, to prevent
interruption of public water supply,
to prevent any interference with
regular power deliveries to Indiana
industries.
Drastic Results Pictured
"a statewide utility strike would
have darkened more han 100000
homes by shutting off electricity; 1t
would have taken cooking and wa
ter heating fuel (gas) from 100000
homes: such a strike would have
shut of water supplies in many
communities, thus creating fire ana
sanitary hazards which would have
been dangerous in addition to deny
water to homes; a strike of that
KIND would have closed down hum
dreds of Indiana industries thereby
throwing thousands of people out OF
work. a statewide utility shutdown
might have shut off water, cleo
tricity and gas supplies in many
hospitals. thus endangering human
lives. street railway and interurban
service would have been handicapped,
maybe stopped That kind OF
strike would have paralyzed busl-
ness in Indiana and would have
made living conditions untenable in
at least one-third of the state. Such
a catastrophe would have been I'M
thinkable."
In calling for the strike, Mr.. Knott
charged that two 10 per cent pay
cuts and a reduction in working
hours. suffered by the employees, had
been made for the purpose of lower
ing the utility rates and protecting
interests Of preferred stockholders.
For five months, Mr.. Knott said,
he endeavored to reach an agree
ment with the companies. He asked
for the union, whose members in
clude technical department workers,
specific wage increases for 23S
workers. time and a half for over
time. double time for Sundays, trav-
cling expenses for line crews and
other minor changes in working con-
ditions.
McNutt Aid Sought
Yesterday. dissatisfied with the
results of a conversation with John
n. Shannahan. president of the
public Service Company of Indiana,
Mr.. Knott went to Governor Nc
Nuts office with Judge Hugh M.
Morris. Wilmington, Del. co-trustee
with Mr.. Shannahan of the Midland
United Company, holding company
for the public Service Company Of
Indiana.
Governor McNutt was in Wilma
mac. but Mr.. Knott conferred with
his secretary. John Klinger, and AL
vim C. johnson, deputy attorney
general. until the Governor was
reached by phone. The Governors
conversation with Mr. Knott re-
suited in the order for the appoint
ment of a mediation board.
Mr. Knott emphatically stated
that the board, as far as he is con-
cerned. is only a fact-finding group
which would have a reasonable time
in which to meet and work out the
difficulties between the workers and
the companies. He said he is en-
tirely satisfied with the Governors
plan and will leave it up to him.
II no solution is forthcoming, Mr..
Knott indicated, another strike call
will be issued which, he said, will
involve about 1900 of the 1898
workers Of the two companies"
ITS not my funeral" said Mr..
Knott. Unless the companies find
the money with which TO meet our
demands, I'm tying up the whole
state. I am not a financier. can't
tell them where to get it. but can
tell them that they'd better find it
somewhere and find it quick"
Not so outSpoken was the state
nent issued by Mr.. Shannahan fol-
lowing the Governors decision. Said
Mr.. Shannahan:
Outlines Company Stand
Through our negotiations with
Mr. Knott our paramount point was
TO keep utility service uninterrupted.
To accomplish this We are willing
10 submit our dispute 10 arbitration.
The action of Governor McNutt in
appointing a board TO study the
problem has forestalled statewide
strike. and therefore is most salts
factory TO all involved.
Compliance with the demands"
added Mr.. Shannahan, would add
$500. 500 a year TO the companies
operating expenses; for. although
Mr.. Knott asked for wage increase
for only 236 OF 1888 employees, it
would be necessary TO extend the
raise 10 all. These companies now
are operating under the NRA and
taa Presidents agreement