Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-11-09
THE RAILROAD LOCK.
And Still No Panacea Found.
Meeting and Resolutions Of the Di-
rectOry.

From the Knoxville Press and Herald, Nov. Z.
This is the morning of the seventh day
of the unpleasantneSs between the manage
ment of the railroad and the employees who
quit work rather than submit to the reduc-
ton in wages ordered by Vice President
Jacques. We sincerely regret that we have
to announce the unchanged condition Of af-
fairs and the utter failure of all the we'll
meant efforts to achieve a settlement of
the troubles. Congressman Thornburgh's
confident belief on Wednesday evening"
that he could offer the proper panacea, gave
way yesterday TO a resolute conviction
that he could not surmount the difficulty,
and he gave up the hopeless task.
There was no official communication of
any kind, yesterday, between Capt. Jacques
and the committees Of the men. The lat
ter were quiet and undemonstrative. But
few of them were about the depot, the
larger number either remaining at home or
attending to their various duties and pleas
uTes in the city. The absence of violence
or even excitement is marked and graft
flying feature Of the lamentable affair, and
we do not think that one of their number
has been intoxicated. This does indeed
speak well for their character as good citi-
zens and creates kindly feeling towards
them, which would fain see them all at
work and pleasant relations restored.
1t was stated yesterday, apparently on re-
liable authority, that a large amount of
money from the central organization had
been received by the officers Of the Brother
hood Of Engineers, for the purpose of en-
abling the members TO. maintain firm at
titude in the present struggle against re-
duction of wages. So far as we could learn
there was no intention among them to re-
cede from their position. The company
was no less firm in the determination to
maintain the order of reduction of wages.
Yesterday morning, Mr.. C. A. Hodge,
master mechanic, left for Bristol with a
large train Of loaded freight cars. There
was no attempt to prevent the departure of
the train, but committee of the engineers
went along, presumably to see that nothing
happened. There was some switching ac-
complished in the yard and cars unloaded.
The mail trains run regularly, being ''en-
gineered" as follows: From Bristol to Knox
vile by Ross Smith; from Knoxville to
Chattanooga by Whitlock; from ChattanoO-
ga to Knoxville by Petty; and from Knox
vile to Bristol by Trainham.
The merchants are of course heavy SUI
ferers by the lock in freight. For six days
they have received no goods and shipped
none, excepting such as were absolutely
required by the purchasers and sent by eX-
press. Two car loads of express matter
We're sent off on the mail trains yesterday.
Meanwhile the stocks in some staple ne
cessities are getting low. Candles, for in
stance, are scarce, and leather scarcer yeti
The supply of beer, too, is getting low, and
to run out Of lager would be matter Of
sore complaint to the bibulOus. "When
will the railroad rum" is a question the
perpleXed reporters are called upon to an
swer at every turn. For six days the trade
Of all East Tennessee has been at a stand,
and the noisy clamOr Of the engine bells
unheard. Sweet music will the shriekS
of the iron horses be to all when again they
pillow their fiery way down our pleasant val
ley. Speed the hour.