Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 July 1910 — STRIKE ON GRAND TRUNK [ARTICLE]

STRIKE ON GRAND TRUNK

Conductors and Trainmen on Entire System'Quit Work. A strike of all the conductors and trainmen on the Grand Trunk system has gone into effect. This great strike is the result of the failure to arrive at an amicable settlement. The committee demanded the adoption of the standard territorial wage, but President Mays refused to agree to this demand A strike vote was taken last week all over the system and the men were practically unanimous for a strike. The ultimatum of the men were made known to President Hays at a final conference, but he absolutely refused to grant the demand. Over 4,000 men are involved. All the regular passenger trains of the road left Chicago on schedule time and a number of freight trains were also started out. All of these were in charge of nonunion men, members of the union having refused to report for duty. Passenger trains continued to run on schedule time, being operated by nonunion men, most , of whom have been hired since the strike began. “We are having to employ a good many new men,” said General Passenger Agent -Elliot, “but that is all right We have no difficulty in finding competent men who are glad to take the places of the strikers. As far as the passenger department is concerned one would not know that a strike is In progress.” No effort is being made to move freight trains at present and fear that the passenger trains may become involved in the tie-up was expressed by express company officials, who have directed that express be routed over Knee other than the Grand Trunk.