The Great Northern's Cold Response to Striking Car Cleaners

The committee of the Chamber of Commerce, to which were referred the complaints of the Great Northern striking car cleaners, heard a statement from J. B. Copeland, superintendent of the Coast lines, who presented the railroad's side of the case. The striking car cleaners were on hand at the Chamber of Commerce rooms but were not admitted to the meeting, remaining outside until the consultation was over. These men refused to submit to a cut in wages from $50 per month to $1 per day and quit work. They then appealed to the Chamber of Commerce through W. C. P. Adams, secretary of the American Railway Union. In stating the case, Mr. Copeland explained that the work done by the car cleaners was simply janitor's work, not in any sense skilled labor, which in many Eastern cities was done by women. Owing to the business condition of the country, he said, and the desire of President Hill to keep the road out of the hands of a receiver, it had been found necessary to retrench in expenditures all along the line. He felt satisfied that the present low rate of wages was only temporary and that as soon as the business conditions of the country would justify it, wages would be restored.