The Portland daily press., 1877-07-20
T.ouble ON she PENNSYLVANIA IL,

III 0nble on tbe Pennsylvania Railroad.
PI1TsBURG, July !19.-At noon today the
freight train men on the western division ofthe
Pennsylvania Railroad refused to go on their
trains. The strike is caused by the company's
course in increasing the number of cars on the
freight trains. Heretofore conductor and his
crew ran II cars. An order lately issued
doubles this number without increasing the
friends lin all nearly 500 persons) assembled at
the outer depot and by intimidation prevented
the crews going out that would otherwise have
remained at work. man while attempting
to couple cars was attacked and severely beat
en-. The rngleaders in this attack were arrest
ed. The strikers then moved out in the line of
the road towards East Liberty. A placard
posted about the depot signed by the President
of the Train-Men's Union, calls meeting of
the train-men at Phoenix Hall this evening.
1t is supposed that this meeting was called for
the purpose OF taking action on strike. The
men on the Cornelsville branch of the Balti
more and Ohio railroad art still at work and
trains are running as usual.
$50 p. m.-Eighteen trains are now in the
Pennsy lvauia Railroad Company's yards ready
to go out but without crews to run them.
Engineers are in readiness but the company is
not able to get men to take the strikers places.
A new order requiring double train provided
| with two engines and consisting of 36 cars to be
| taken out with one crew, went into effect this
morning. The strikers claim that by this
| order two ordinary trains are taken out to AL
| toona distance of 116, instead of to Derry 48
| miles. Formerly trip to Derry was consid-
| cred days work, while now trip to Al
toona is considered days work. This they
| say would require one of the crews to do the
work of two and enable the company to dis
charge one.half of their number.
1t is said that the strike was not prearranged
but was inaugurated by Conductor Ryan's
crew, who sent word to the dispatcher that
| they would not take out their train. The de-
l spatphpr than Qgknd the two ward IN To 70
it out and they. it is said, refused and were
discharged. Subsequently conductor Gordon
ordered two men to take out an engine but the
| strikers cut it loose from the train. Gordon
then made another attempt but the men on the
train were stoned away and compelled to de-
sert the engine.
When the trouble commenced at the outer
depot this morning party of strikers lost no
time in getting out to the East Liberty stock
| yards and had conference with the train and
joining the strikers. Trains were run upon the
sidings and left there The strikers then took
possession of the main track and stopped all
the trains east or west. Those coming in from
the east were allowed to proceed after the situa-
ton had been explained, in order not to block
ade the track.
1t was necessary that some of the stock
trains should be pulled up to the sidings to be
unloaded, and this work was done by the Pan
handle engines. None of those belonging to
the Pennsylvania railroad we've allowed to be
used. The main track at this point was Who'll.
ly in the hands of tina strikers. A west bound
freight was stopped at Brintons this afternoon
by party of strikers who had gone there fol
that purpose. The train was allowed to pro-
coed, the men intimating that they would JOIN
the strikers as soon as they reached the city
Excitement along the road is intense, tand it is
feared the Fort Wayne and Panhandle men
will join the movement. The strikers threaten
to release Mccall, who was arrested for strik
ing Superintendent Watt. No detention is
offered the passenger trains and there is no Sc
| rious collisions as yet.
Eyening-A large and enthusiastic meeting
of the Train Mems Union was held in Phoenix
Hall tonight. Nearly all the strikers wert
present and there were many speakers. Blu
one sentiment was expressed, which was a de
termination to continue the strike The meet
ing was orderly. The strikers were joined a
the meeting by the engineers and fremen o.
| the western division.