The Portland daily press., 1877-02-12
THE BOSTON e MAINE STRIKE.
The Time Not Vet Arrived-Measure
Taken TO Keep All the Trains Moving
What Both Sides Say.

The anticipated strike on the Boston and
Maine Railroad has not vet taken place, and
when it will occur is not yet known. All the
trains ran as usual Saturday, but contrary to
the expectations of the company, Each train
winch arrived here Saturday brought two men
as passengers who were instructed to follow the
tram and if the regular hands left it, to take
charge and run it to the destination. AT night a
crew OF twenty-five men stroled through the
yard OF the company to protect property All
these precautions were unnecessary as the
trains were run as usual and no one attempted
to modest or in any way iniure the property of
the company. Yesterday it was whispered that
the strike had taken place and no trains would
leave either end of the road AS the hour Of
-FOUR approached in the afternoon when a
freight train was due to leave large crowd of
railroad men and others gathered at the depot
to watch events. The train was all made ND in
the yard and to the surprise of ali an engine
driven by Mr.. Stephen Twombly was seen
coming from the round.house to take the train.
This looked as though the strike was all a
myth, but when special from Lawrence
bringing Superintendent Furber and Train De-
spatcher Smith, came rushing into the depot,
it gave the impression that there was some-
thing more than talk about the strike.
Mr.. Furber arrived just before the train was
due to leave, and at once ordered the conductor
to await his orders. He then had short con-
versation with Mr.. Stevens, the agent of the
road in this city, and started out into the yard
to confer with the conductor and engineer. He
asked the latter if be would run the train to its
destination, and Mr.. Twombly replied that he
would. Mr.. Furber said that was all he want
ed, and took his train and started on the return
trip followed by the freight train. He stopped
at the round-house moment and then return
ed to Lawrence. He brought on his train two
engineers who were to take the places of the
strikers had there been any trouble. The en-
gineers sag that these men are not members of
the Brotherhood, and were recently discharged
from the company for drunkenness.
Mr. Furber was interviewed while here and
stated that he did not think that the strike
would come, but if it did he was in hopes to
keep the trans all moving. He complained
that the men demanded the increase of ten
cents per day instead of asking for it, He ex-
planned that they are paid 1915 per day and 25
SoAeo PSi NoJ 40 lulu UdCh iOI tuIct InOuCQS,
which is then paid to them if they have good
record. 1t is only very few men who do not
receive this sum at the end of three months.
The men objected to having this kept back and
also asked to have ten cents more per day. Mr..
Furber stated to them that if they would not
make trouble he would guarantee that they
should all receive their full wages at the end of
three months and at the meeting of the direc-
tors would 60 to them and ask for the advance.
The directors do not meet until the 21st inst.
and Mr.. Furber says they refused to await the
action of the meeting, but at once began to talk
of strike.
The men say that they have no faith in what
the Superintendent tells them, that he talked
the same year ago, and there is where the
matter ended. They say that the financial diff
fculties are not all they complain of but as
stated to President White, the train de-
spatcher must.be removed as he is not pleasant
to get along with They also complain of the
bounty as they call the % cents which is
kept back. This is something not done on any
other road. They say they mean business now
but do not intend to injure a. cents worth of
property. When the time comes they will give
the company notice, that unless matters are
satisfactorily adjusted in few hours, So en-
glneers and as many firemen will leave their
engines wherever they are No promises are
to be broken and no lives endangered They
will not promise to run train unless they can
accomplish it before the hour to stop comes
The committee is now in Roston comforting
with Mr.. Arthur, the Chief of the Brotherhood.
The officers of the road have refused to see Mr..
Arthur or to hear any propositions he makes.
The strike will surely come unless the men
have what they ask for, but when it will occur
is not known outside the Brotherhood.