Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-02

RAILROAD TROUBLES.
The Employees OF che G., %. &S.W.
u. r. threaten to strike Unless
Their Grievances are Reme-
died. q
Courier. Journal. l.


Word was received here yesterday
that general strike would be made
on the Southern division of the Ches-
apeake, Ohio and Southwestern rail-
road, from this city to Memphis, to.
day or possibly as late as tomorrow.
The strike will include all the opera
tives of the mechaAical department,
every one of whom, it is said, have de
clared their intention of quitting work
unless threatened reduction in sala.
ries is not carried into effect. This is
the prime cause of the trouble, though
there are other grievances of which the
men are complaining.
A reporter has gathered full state.
ment OF the causes which have led to
tie trouble.
The company" said an employee,
about the first of the year made q
man named G. II. Haggerty master of
machinery from here to Memphis,
with headquarters at Elizabethtown.
lie has been in the Office only a short
time, but he has signalized himself
by an attempted wholesale re-
duction of salaries. For instance,
z. s. Givsns, who is master
mechanic here, has been given notice
that he must give up his place, which
IS to be filled by man named W. G.
Milton at $40 a month--Sl0 less than
Givans had been receiving. He told
him, however, that he might take an
other $50 place at $50 month, or a
500 place at $45 a month. Of course,
Givans told him that he wouldn't sub
init to such taestment, and promptly
resigned. In addition, it is understood
that Haggerty has given Milton au-
thority to promote any fremen he may
think capable Of taking charge of
engines to be engineers at salary Of
81 90 day. This will be quite pro
motion for firemen, as at present they
receive only $45 a month, but engineers
have been receiving 50 80 TO 81 day,
and are not dispose ! to submit to such
reduction. The matter has been
talked over among the men, and gen.
eral strike has been resolved upon for
Tomorrow unless the company agree
to our demands.
The reporter further learned that
Haggerty was severely beaten up at
Elizabethtown Monday by an engi-
neer named Finnell, whom he desired
to 60 to Memphis and relieve another
man, who would not stand reduc>
ton Of his salary, Of his position.
Finnell said he would dc no such
thing, whereupon Heggsrty dismissed
him from the service Of the road, and
row followed, in which Finnell came
out away in che lead.
Milton, the one appointed to take
Givans place, is the same man who
was arrested last week by Detective
Lindsey on the charge Of an attempted
rape upon his daughter Lille. He
has not been heard from for several
days, and yesterday Givans received a
telegram from Haggerty asking him to
hold fifteen days longer, but he re
piled that he would do no such thing.
The strike, if carried out, will il.
clude every engineer, fireman, me-
ehanic and other operatives connected
with the mechanical department Of
the road, and will be most serious in
its consequences.
Yesterday afternoon the employees
at the Chesapeake, Ohio and South
western railroad, at Fourteenth and
Kentucky streets, threw down their
tools spd sending for the master me
ehanic, P. s. Givans, he was accosted
by the whole force. who rendered him
pleasant surprise by the presentation
OF an elegant gold chain and charm.
The presentation was made by Mr.. b.
o. King, accompanied by neat little
speech, to which Mr.. Gi9ans respond.
ed in appropriate terms, after which
there was the usual popping of corks
The OCCASION was the result Of Mr..
Givans' resignation from position
which he has held for several years,
and during which time he has made
himself universally popular among tie
other employees.