The New York herald., 1876-10-14
THE SCRANTON STRIKE.


INCREASING MAGNITUDE or THE DEMoSsrRA
TIoN-THE SHOPS OF THE DELAWARE, LAcKA
WANNA AND WESTERN RAILROAD coMPAHl
DESERTED AT SCRANTON AND SYRACUSE
DETERMINATIONS OF THE COMPANY AND MEN.
SCRANTON, Pa, Oct 13, 1870
Tho political whrlwind OF the past few days hl
monopolizcd public attention to such extent that
with tho exception OF few meagre Associated Press
kilograms moth ng made known the great in
dustra OF the important fact that 900 mcchan
strike at tue and locomotive shops OF the
Delaware Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company
In this city resist reduction OF ten per cent IN their
wages, ordered to take effect from the 7th inst The
situation derives added Importance from the fact
that this is tho third reduction which has taken effect
this branch Of the companys works in the wages Of
tho mechanics since the LIST Of March last, and
that has aroused a widespread public feeling In ia.
vor Of the men, have far conducted themselves
in the most orderly manner. The reduction most
unexpected, and the 1rs ntmation the men had of u
written notice nailed on the entrance TO the
works. As Il became known through tho shops
tho utmost md gnation was expressed and ths
blanchcd cheeks and flashing eyes Of tho workmcn as
they repeated the story one to another showed their
supreme Tor tho policy that kept cutting down
their wages continually to make up for deficiencies
from causes entirely foreign W ~
which tho mechanics are engaged.
CESSATION
They threw away their tools at once, not waiting Ia
finish the work at which they engaged. Carpen.
tors loft tho crude woodwork where it stood, black
smiths left tho iron cooling the hearth, aud shaft
ing and bands and spndles, as n IN sympathy with
the mechanics. stood STILL Tho men, nearly
900 strong, proceeded at once to the public square
ana held meeting, at which the Delaware. Lacka.
wanna and Western Railroad Company was censu ed
in forcibe terms The held that the company
had cut down their wages repeatedly, until u mad
reached point which impo- slbe for them TO
sustain their families Those who year ago we're OBJ
taning s. 81 day, skilled mechanics, have had their
pay reduced TO the pary p'ance of ~ A. aud OTHERS
OF wages ranges from 81 to 81 ~ IN the various
departments. Many OF the men have large families,
in happier times took pride In surrounding them
with tho modest comforts OF = cheerful home. Such
men regard the prospect with dsmay aud swear that
slavery series OF resolutions, setting forth tho
grievances OF the men, were adopted, as follows:-
RESOLUTIONS TnK MEN
Whereas onr employers. tho Delaware Lacsawsnna and
Western Railroad Company have ordered another reduc-
Isl" barely y. .usesn supply ordinary
.res. throughout the eSansry i eitsd this
constant cutting down .. oar wases ,hs
ductons many steps toward starvation.
Il ads to i. harmony
which should exist between employer and employed
and ns large w hs Of ~orsns
,S. @ss ~ wSs s
ot his daily is unworthy the enterprise and
public spirit of tho Delaware. Lackawanna and western
Railroad Company.
Resolved That while recognise tho general depression
which oveakcn tho capital OF the country during tho
s we tho no ns % snS
tne means OF subsistence
Resolved That therefore earnestly pray the Delawsre
ana Western Railroad Company 70 reeonsid.r
their action ordering reduction OF wages beore
eliminates in that OF employer and empoyed-s
strike, which We should all depore
These we're tocgraphed to Samuel Sloan, president
OF the company, out refused an answer, and hts
action III doing has wonderfully ihcensed the work
men. The breach grows wider, however, ana nov tho
men they Will not 90 back 10 work under tho
reduction.
The mechanics all along the company's works have
been prompt ward their Scranton brethren words
cheer and to them that they were ready ia
strike at any that they desired The miners
also viewing the situation with ALARM aud fearing that
the cutting down policy might be extended - them,
have profered their aid aud encouragement 10 tho
railroad hands, and the in the company's employ
at Syracuse have already struck and are In constant
correspondence with the workMcn OF this city. The
MAGNITUDE THE MOVEMENT
becomes greater every moment, and n0twithstandng
the iact that tho company's officials are endeavorns
suppress from the public the extent OF the dsaec-
ton among the vorkingmcn 1t is beyond doubt that
q deep. seated feeling exists IN the breast OF every
miner and mechanic strIkc even AT the risk Of in
curing the most serious consequences
They say tnat they have been goaded too long, that
their wages down until they can
longer live and keep ont OF debt.
coMpANy's ACTION
1t Is rumored that the company have, In view OF thu
determination Of tho men not 10 accept to reduction
10 close their Scranton shops The mon scout the
rumor as being variance with common sense, since
would entail far greater expense on their employer
do than 10 coucede tho current rate OF wages.