The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-09
THE TROUBLES or THE ERIE RAIL WAY.

Possibly Another Strike in Prospect-.t hni. 70
Of OGscers.
II was announced in the HERALD Of yesterday that
tnc brakemen Of the freight trains On the Eastern
division OF the Erie Railway left OF work On Sunday
afternoon It was further stated that the for
the strike was the sudden discharge on Friday Of
three OF the brakeen engaged that their reinstate
ment was demanded and refused, and that there
upon, on Sunday morning, all the other brake
men resolved TO leave Off work, thus intending
TO compel the company to comply with their
demands. That the company was firm and
determined not to yield and had sent out new em-
ployes with an armed band OF defenders in case OF
resistance on the part or the strikers Further
inquiry In the OF yesterday revealed the fact
that this statement was but partially correct That
there Is strike, and quite extensive one OF the
brakemen OF the freight trains the eastern div-
sion, IS fully e and what is the true state OF tho
case at present may be gathered rom the following
statements OF both the officers OF the road at the
Jersey city depot as well as OF the men strike at
Port Jervis. The two statements, will be seen
vary considerably and contradict each other In
several important points, but that OF the men is so
full and SO crcumstantial aud backed by particular
facts that 1t at least looks credible while the officers
conaDcd themselves TO mere general denials.
WHAT THE OFFICERS SAY.
On application TO the superintendent at the Jersey
City depot or the Erie Railroad, Mr. Henderson, lie
said That there was whatever for the STRIKE
that the arrangement made with the brakemen last
time as to wages was fully carried out by the COM
pany, and two dollars per day have regularly been
paid ever since; that there was no intention of
ducing the pay and Withdrawing from the arrange.
ment then made, though it was contemplated to en-
gage few cheap ''gangs; that one Of the most
mutinous Of the brakemen at Port Jervs had lately
been discharged, and that it was the firm resolution
Of the company not to take him back; that the men,
on Sunday morning. assembled in their lodge or
meeting room at Port Jersis and resolved to quit
work; that no notice OF their Intention to
strike had been communicated TO the COM
pany, did the lay any Of their alleged griev
ances before the officers of the road, with view to
have them remeuied that when asked their reason
for the strike the officers were blunty told to
before the meeting and there they would be informed;
that the whole number out Is between 215 and 300;
that the aymaster OF the company had gone out to
Port Jervls Sunday night to pay or the men, and
that up to six O'Clock last evening only eightyelght
wages due up TO Sunday, the balance not coming
forward TO get their money, which Iact IN the
part to return to work; but that far as he was
informed, tue company would not again employ
single man OF those on strike.
In regard to the force sent out from here ana
Jersey CITY, Mr.. Henderson states that at ten O'Clock
on Sunday night the company despatched, on
special train u squad OF eighty men from New
York, probably Of the gentlest kind OF the ctys
inhabitants, armed wiz reyolvers, not to provoke
collision, but guard to protect the property Of
the company; that with them went forty special
deputy sherns for tine same purpose, and about
m shs exnrsss tram which left ~ cnafer nast ten
yesterday morning, another squad OF foryfve newly
employed brakemen went OUT, and with the quarter
to Ave i. NJ. tram iiitY new employees were again
forwarded to Port Jervs. There was no Interruption
In the running OF freight trains ana they and
regular time table OF the passenger trains Appca
lions for employment as Drakemen on the road nave
been quite numerous at the ONCE during the uay,
some OF those, applying having served IN the same
capacity on other roads; others being common la
6orsrs and green at the business There was mot.
the c9aracsr Of Trough" was adsloy mn
kucker was at Fort Jervls all day, ana
in answer to q despatch from Mr. Henderson,
he need send more men, the force is apparently
sufficient Yet none OF the applicants were pere -np.
tnelr employment. Up to last night no properly was
destroyed OR damaged, and everything remained
quiet and Orderly so much for the company's side
WHAT THE MEN SAY.
"The House that Jack Bullln at No. $50 Prospect
street IS the headquarters OF the Erie Railway ucn
in Jersey CITY. On visit tbther severa OF the men
ELECTED as their side Of the case:-lle brakenen
were on strike IN June last for an IN.
dollars day fixed upon. The size or freight
trains is according to tie power OF the engine, nom
rom the latter station to Jersey city, and the IL
limited 10 twelve miles per hour The full compile
ment OF HANDS tor tram is engineer, fireman, con-
ductor, nagnan and three prakemen. one OF whom
acts as Gilman. Since the arrangement was made In
Junel last the General superintendent reduced the
number OF bra6emen to two making these 40 the
WORK OF three; and furtner tue men say, he began
10 employ new men, unacquaintcd with the bust
ness, and put OF this class tram another
on another train, paid them ony 81 IS tine former
price struck againstl had the OLD hands teach them
and when they were accustomed with and well up to
n
the same price, by their side to DO taught by
them, while some OF the Old hands were being
ntendenr was complained OF, that he took old en-
ployes from tier regular trans and put tasm on
placed In the category OF new men and received
only the reduced salary. The mon sad, further that
that IL they would get gangs u men at 81 rs per day
ne would promote Them 10 be conductors. There
was committee Of the Brakemea's Union Of pors
JeryiS, consisting OF Messrs Marvln, Hoteilen, Web
ster, Burton, Samuel Britton aud Elias Perry, 10
each OF whom MI. Rucker had offered the con-
ductorship OF freight tram, II they would ego
bacK' on the men, which they refused to do aud
were soon after discharged; but Brtton was ai.cr-
Their meeting was held last Sunday morning at
eleven O'Clock, at which they resolved the strike
and all consented. As train after train Came into
Fort jerviS the brakemen were informed OF this
action, and they all quit. committee OF Two was
at once sent to Hornelsville. where the Brakemens
ters, and that committee telegrapned yesterday noon
to Port Jervls that the Hornellsvilie men sympa-
tuILeu VIII Tue MOVcmeuL uuu may probably Join
to-day. The nornellsvlle Union numbers about 400
men. There have In all been discharged about thirty
men since the operations OF the General Superiu-
tendent as detailed, have commenced, and the men
say that IN this they ind IN intention TO reduce the
wages again to II IS per day III an indirect way.
They say that the brakemen OH the passenger
trains had offered TO Join at and strike that
they were told by those ON strike to continue, rs
their striking would cause great Inconvenience to
the travelling public which 1t was desired to avoid
The company said these men, have insiulously
broken their promises, not only Ia the way as mar
OF those on strike III June should be discharged,
which agreement the company have not kept III !
to freight trains running regularly and usual the
men deny it, and say that engines capable OF draw
ing thirty come into the depot with ten Twelve
and thirteen for want OF braSemen. They say that
they viii hold out that they contemplate no dis !
order, riotiDg, no attack on the property OF the
company, but II the 'TQughs' ana 'rowdiesr whom
the inter have sent TO Port Jervs for the purpose
as the men believe, OF intimidatIng them, should |