The New York herald., 1873-12-27
GREAT RAILROAD STRIKE.
Engineers and Firemen Of the Penn
sylvania Company Refus-
ing to Work.
Travel Impeded in Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Indiana and Illinois.
FREIGHT TRAINS STOPPED.

PIrrsDURG, Dec. 20, 1873.
When the alarm bell struck the hour OF twelve
O'Clock to-day all the locomotive engineers en-
ployed by the Pennsylvania Company, company
which controls and russ all the leased lines OF the
Pennsylvania Railroad struck against the pro-
posed reduction Of wages Their lines are the
Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago, the Cleveland
and Pittsburg, and Plttsburg CiDcnnat and st.
Louis railroads. The strike was the most sysve-
matically arranged that has ever been known. for
no notice whatever had been given TO the officers
OF these several roads OF the intended action and
at the hour OF noon every engine on the lines OF
roads mentioned was stopped instantly at various
points on the roads, and the engineers ana fremen
at once quilted them. The cause OF this action
was q determined resistance by these employees to
the reduction OF 10 per cent in the matter OF their
wages, which was TO tax o effect from the first day
OF December.
This reduction was also TO affect all other en-
ployes, including general officers. from presidents
down to the lowest grade OF laborerS Shop men
were reduced 20 per cent, 10 per cent more than
others. This shrinkage in their earnings was
evidently received with much dissatisfaction by
the engineers and nremen. and finally the dissats-
faction became so great that the matter was laid
before the Brotherhood OF Engineers, very
powerful and well organized society," which insisted
on restoration Of the former prices, and II not
that the men should quit work on the day follow
ing Christmas. This restoration OF prices was not
granted, and accordingly there was agreed upon
general strike at noon to-day. 1t does not affect
the Pennsylvania Central road because no reduc-
ton was attempted to be made on this road,
and the trains to the East running
regularly But all travel westward is at
dead standstill and numerous locomotives
are left standing at various places on the tracks.
Erai cka Wara tpt nm on Ia RS
at Golfers station. and the engineers of the Co.
lumbus mail train due here at six O'Clock this
evening" lett their locomotive at Dennson, Ohio.
Their places were, however, supplied, and the
train is now on its way.
The discharged employees have been directed to
keep away from the companys property and any
interference whatever will be checked by resorting
to law. This seems hardly necessary, as the eng-
neers are peaceful, law-abiding men and don't
propose to resort to any unlawful means to accom-
plsh their purposes. Western bound passengers
cannot get away and the depot this afternoon was
filed to overfOwing with travellers eagerly inqur-
ing as to the possibility Of some arrangement with
the strikers that would enable the companies TO
continue the running of trains tonight number
of accommodation trains were sent out, with shift
Ing engines and yet many living in the suburbs OF
Allegheny City were compelled to reach home on
foot or by the employment or private vehicles,
Quite number OF merchants and other business
men living along the line OF the Fort Wayne and
Chicago road were obliged to take passage on .
steamboat chartered for the purpose Of conveying
them home.
The mails from the West are all behind time, and
at this hour 1t cannot be learned when they may
reach their destination. Much complaint is being
made on this score ny our merchants. and the gov
ernment will be appealed to in this emergency.
Company says the strike is a most unreasonable
one. Engineers OF passenger trains, he says, make
on an average s. 50 per day, while freight engI-
neers get on an average S4 so. Firemen are not
members OF the Brotherhood but were induced by
some means to 60 out with them.