The New York herald., 1873-11-03
DIFFICULTIES OF TENNESSEE
RAILROADS,
Reduction OF Salarieg-Strike OF EN-
ployees-Passenger and Freight Trains
stopped.

Reduction OF Snlarfeg-Strike OF EN-
pIoyees-Passenger and Freight Trains
stopped.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn, Nov. 2, 1873.
One Of the results OF the financial crisis now
agitating the country has manifested Itself here
A. in other cities by the reduction OF the time and
pay OF workmen In the large workshops and manu-
factories; the former having been done imme-
diately after the suspension Of the banks, the
machinists and carpenters in the East Tennessee
Virginia and Georgia Railroad shops having been
on three-fourth's time for the past four weeks. In
view oil the decrease in travel and freights. the
management Of the above-named line, ex-
tending from Bristol to Chattanooga resolved
on q decrease OF the pay OF the employees,
and accordingly last Friday morning notice was
published announcing reduction OF twenty per
cent on all salaries exceeding 81 per day. and OF
ten per cent on those receiving that or less
amount which resulted in the stopping OF regular
trains. The engineers and fremen refused to
work at the reduced scale. All day Friday IT was
apparent that trouble was brewing, but nothing
hour ol the departure ol the night freight train,
when the engineer refused to run 1t. However,, 1t
man AT eleven O'Clock the Southern bound
passenger tram arrived rom Bristol but
was sted or SIsaa on cosd de h. 6c :,
through, and the passengers were detained at the
hotels tiil one O'Clock on saturday. The engineers
were not consulted as TO the reduction OF pay, but
on the publication OF the oroer committee from
the brotherhood waited on Captain Jaques, Vice
President OF the road, and protested against the
decrease, Offering to do anything to lessen the
penses by working on short time, but positively re-
fusng 10 work for less than the present wages.
The committee were received with the greatest
courtesy by the Vice President who, alter
listening 20 their grievances, requested them
10 call again that evening for his answer.
Accordingly, when the appointed hour
arrived the committee told that the reduction
had 10 be regarded AZ a matter OF necessity, after
the most careful consideration. and could not be
fescInded, whereupon, on receiving the ultimatum
OF the mans ement OF the road, the engineers and
train hands quit work. They were sustained IN
their course by the other machinists and black
smiths In the employ OF the company, and work ac-
cordingly ceased in the shops.
The trains have also ceased running on the Knox
Vile and Ohio ROAD from the same cause, the last
train being run by the conductor, in order to &C
commodate passengers living along the line who
not TO do so again. Yesterday aud to-day one
i train each way, east and wesf, was run, carrying
the mails and passengers, the railroad officials
having. ey extraordinary exertions, induced nre-
men and conductors, and even the master ma
cbinists 60 take charge OF the engines No freight
trains have run for two days, however, and bus-
ness viii be seriously delayed n satisfactory ad
Justment OF the difficulty IL not effected.
The Brotherhood OF Locomotive Engineers and
the Machinlsts and Blacksmths' Union are very
strong. and the members OF both organi-
Nations express their belief that matters
resumed. rhey have notified other unions oi the
situation Of AFFAIRS and have fears OF being sup
planted by workmen from other points, but pro-
test that they intend no violence IN the event that
men could be induced 10 take their places.
The engineers to-day notified the railroad
officials Of their Willingness TO the mail trains
free OF charge n they would not pay the regular
price, but their offer was declined. Tomorrow
morning (Mondag) the Executive Committee OF
the railroad viii hold a meeting, as will also the
engineers DL with what result remains 20 be seen.