The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-07-27
Qur Railroads.

Replying to your request for restoration
of wages, can only make the reply al
ready made to similar requests, which is,
that this company will neither modify any
existing order or make any new one while
unlawful means are being made to coerce
it. Under other circumstances, it is al
ways ready to confer with its employees,
and adjust the compensation to its ability
to pay, and the rates paid by other roads
similarly situated.
After discussing the situation and hold
ing several meetings, in Davenport, the
men finally agreed to go to work again
with the understanding that the proposed
order for another 10 per cent. reduction
should not be issued. The result was tel
egraphed to President Riddle, who replied
as follows
CHICAGO, July &c, 1877.
A. Kimball General Superintendent:
The good sense and fidelity of the en-
ployes of the Rock Island road is duly
appreciated. and if continued to the end
of these troubles cannot fail to prove ad-
vantageous to them.
(Signed) HUGH RIDDLE, President.
Trains are now running as usual on this
road and there are no fears of any further
trouble.
At meeting of the employees of the
@. B. & Q. held in Burlington, a
committee was appointed to wait upon
Vice President Perkins of that road, and
T. J. Trotter, Division Superintendent.
The committee stated that what they
wanted was restoration to laborers and
to the men in the shops of the rates prior
to September, 1873. This would be an
increase of about forty per cent over the
wages now paid. They asked that engi-
neers, fremen and train men should have
the pay they received prior to September
l, 1876. This would be an increase over
present wages of about fifteen per cent.
They also insisted that there should be no
classification" of employees.
The reply Of the railway officials here
was that tie matter was of such import
ance, and affecting the interests of the
entire line, that they would be compelled
to refer it to the board Of directors, and tc
that end they asked for six days time in
which to make final answer.
The committee refused to grant THU
time. A discussion at subsequent meet
ing of the men ensued as to whether pas
senger trains should be allowed to run
There was a difference of opinion upoI
this subject; some favored a thorough
blockade. the stoppage of every train OF
the road. Others thought it was not expe
dent to stop the passenger, mail and ex
press trains 1t was finally resolved t,
allow passenger trains to run. This vii
extend over all the branches.
The result of this action cannot now be
foreseen, but unless the company recedt
from the position it has taken there i
every ikelihoodof complete stoppage o
all freight trains, and possibly, before tn
end comes, of all passenger trains, and al
mail and express matter.
| Everything on the st. Louis division G
this road is unusually quiet-and it is no
known when trains will be running regu
larly again.
The strike has not reached the Wester
Union road yet, but trains cannot run an!
thing but local freights, and passenge
, trains.
r Thursday evening. a meeting of tn
e etr;l.;os ro;lrooJ MON ooooo~s anJ ,,,inar
was held at Bittel's Hall. Peoria. for th
i purpose OF discussing the situation Of th
: working men in this country. The ba
D proving to small to hold the crowd, an &C
: journmeut to the open prairie was hat
q after which the men were formed I'M
Il line, and marched first to the c., r. |.
8 P. depot, where they detached all til
( passenger and baggage cars from the out
;. going train, allowing only the mail C;
y and engine to proceed to Chicago. FroI
the depot they marched to the c., R. l.
e ?, round house and ran all the engines il
: putting out the 6res and the water out
e the boilers. From thence they marche
= to the P, P. & |. round house and wei
II through with the same programme Their
At this place they met with some resistant
r. from two watchmen at the freight hOuI
d and drove them away. After visiting 9
,r the round houses they went to the L.
q x W. Bridge and forced the watchmen
IL swing the draw, but finally allowed him
IF close the bridge again. The crowd thu
p adjourned to meet again this morning,
te which time they propose to form in lii
$. and visit all the manufacturing establis
TT ments and wherever there are laborers
work, demand of them that they stC
so work. The crowd was more orderly thi
10 such gatherings usually are, and very fe
,e of them were intoxicated. II they car
pr out their programme as announced la
ne night, exciting times may be looked for.
a We learn FROM the Peoria Democrat
It. this morning that Peoria is now quiet
ID after the strikers had possession of t
in city for IL hours, and closed nearly eve
is manufacturing establishment, and stopp
at most of the trains coming to or leaving Il
Is city. The Democrat says that for SOL
i. unaccountable reason trains on the Peor
ed Il Rock Island road were not interior
in with. Business on the road was suspende
as however. as precautionary measure, b
NJ to-day everything was running as usual
30
A Solace for the Aged.
- In the decline of life, as the vigor of Il