The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-10
No SIGNS OF COMPROMISE
NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE
GOULD LINE STRIKE.
Freight Traffic Entirely Suspended
Over the Bridge at 1t. Louis
RumOrs and SpeeulatiOns.

ST. LOUIS, Mo, March e.-1he con
dition Of affairs in relation to the strike
oi EMPLOYEES upon the Gould South
vVestern system is as follows: No
ireiobt Of any kind is allowed 10 pass
over the tracks of the Missouri Pacific
railroad, and consequently the cars
loaded with merchandise to be shipped
from the CITY can find no exit. Many
are laden with perishable property.
and grea, loss will result from their
detention unless they can be unloaded
and the cargoes stored in safer places
The grain elevators are the worst sui
ferers thus far, from the blockade.
There is an abundance OF grain already
inspected and in the yards, but not
bnshel q il can be gotten 20 the ele-
vators. The number OF cars thus
locked within sight is about 100, and
there are enough more scattered along
the tracks within n few miles OF the
elevator to swell the total 10 200 ears.
None OF the grain can be moved until
the strike is over. In other lines OF
business the effects of the strike are
also being felt to greater or less eX-
tent. the wool and cotton trades being
the greatest sufferers. As regards
settlement OF the strike, neither side is
willing 10 makeany definite statement.
The officials Of the railroads say that
their men have no grievances with
them. and that it is impossible for
them 70 reinstate the discharged fore
man. Hall. at Marshall, Texas, as they
have no authority there. The Knights
of Labor state that they have no cause
10 cali a conference of the officers OF
the railroads at this point, as they are
striking now simply in support OF the
action taken by their brethren in
Texas. and that matter must be set
tied with the receivers OF the Texas
and Pacific. Then, and not till then,
can any II the striking Knights return
TO work.
THE MOer IMPORTANT AND SERIOUS DE-
vEloPNENr
of the strike Al this point, and that
which will result most disastrously TO
the passenger traffic, is its extension TO
the yard and switchmen OF the Bridge
and Tunnel Company. This move in
cludes al the employees of the com
pany except the engineers and fire.
men, the superintendent of transfer
and three yardmasters, who will at
tempt 70 make the transfers as usual.
The significance Of the departure can
be better understood when il is
known that 225 men are employed in
the handling Of the traffic which
passes over the bridge, and that II is
not possible for four men Mt each end
OF the bridge to throw the switches
and perform the other duties incl
dental 30 the business. A labyrinth
of tracks converge at the entrance to
the bridge and tunnel on both sides OF
the river, and the switches are worked
by an automatic and complicated sys-
tenn OF levers, which can only be man
aged by men trained in their use. The
places OF the laborers about the yards
might readily be supplied, but switch
men skillful in the manipulation of
the switching contrivances now EN-
ployod, and possessing a knowledge
OF the incoming and outgoing trains,
are made by experience, and their
places cannot be supplied by green
hands.
CONSIDERABLE SPECULATION
having been INDUCED in and good
deal Of apprehension felt as TO what
the locomotive engineers would do or
what relation they were likely TO hold
TO the strike, Mr.. p. NJ. Arthur,
chief engineer of the Brotherhood
of Engineers was interviewed at
Cleveland last night. He said briefly
that the Brotherhood OF Engineers
had nothing whatever TO do with the
Knights OF Labor; that no action has
been taken by them in relation to the
strike and that as far as he knew
none viii be taken
ALL FREIGHT TRAFFIC OVER THG BRIDGE
is entirely suspended this morning
and mono except passenger trains are
made up by the yard masters and
bridge superintendents, who also do
all the switching necessary to bring
the trains into position at the Union
depot Each road is obliged 10 use its
own engines In making up and trans
ferring he ears, rs none OF the bridge
engines are in use The bridge com
pany's engineers and iiremcn have
not as yet gone out but they refuse TO
do any OF the work which
has heretofore been done by
the shopmen, such as repairing,
clearing, etc. Whenever an engine
becomes injured, or its machinery
needs cleaning, there is no one to do
the work, and the engine is put aside
All passenger trains for the East and
West have succeeded in starting out
this morning, hut all have been more
or less delayed on account OF the diff
Guilty the few men in the yards and
depot experience in making mp the
trains, At the Missouri Pacific and
Iron Mountain yards everything is
quiet and no disturbance has oc.
CURED and none is expected Squads
OF guards appointed by the Knights OF
Labor continually patrol the yards,
protecting the company's property
and dispensing the groups of men who
beco ne at all excited in discussing
the situation, and in this way perfect
order prevails A rumor to the effect
that all Knights OF Labor employed by
all the roads which have yards in
East 81, Louis will strike this evening
is in circulation. This has been CON
frmed by one OF the superintendent
OF the Bridge and Tunnel Company,
who says that such q move is certain
~ in contemplation. The Knights of
labor when questioned about the af.
tair, maintain strict silence, and will
make no statement i'm confirmation or
denial OF the rumor.
A sCh-utfiCIAL OF rlIE MISSOURI Pacific
ROAD
said TO a reporter last night: "You
arr. aware that We ans expected tn say
. nothing and saw wood, hut will say
TO YOU contidcntially that from the in
side know that the extent and mean
ing OF this trouble is far more alarm
ing than the officials would admit I'M
der any circumstances. The men who
are participating in this strike are bet
ter able now than ever before to fight
10 the bitter end and the company
cannot refuse TO respond to the APP
peals OF the shippers very long. do
not say the strise is Just or warranted,
hut ] do say, and emphatically, that it