Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-04-07
What Caused the Strike.
TWO SIDES OF TIE STORY TOLD BY DIS
CHARGED FOREMAN AND HIS SUPERIOR

The Galveston Daily News ON
March q gave over three columns to
the explanations of the origin of the
great railroad strike. The substance
of the story is as follows: The dis
charge from the employ of the Texas
and Pacific Railroad, of Charles A.
Hall, foreman in the freight car re-
pair shop at Marshall, Texas, and the
refusal OF the company to reinstate
him, was the first cause of the strike.
The reason given for Halls discharge
ON February II was that he had been
absent from duty without leave of
absence. In long talk with Hall the
News correspondent gives his side of
the case in detail He had been in
the employ of the Texas and Pacific
Railway for four years, and a mem
Der OF the Knights of Labor since
March II. 1885, having been one of
the charter members of the local as
sembly at Marshall. He too an ac-
tive part in the strike of 1885, being
at that time a mechanic, but was ia
ken back in the employ OF the COM
pany with the rest of the strikers,
and short time afterward was ap-
pointed to the position from which he
was discharged.
"a meeting OF District Assembly
I0f, to which Halls local was attach
ed. and TO which he was a delegate,
was 70 be held on February I5, and
according to Halls story, be applied
to j. A. Crosbie, the general foreman
of the car shops, his immediate supe-
rior, for leave of absence to attend
the meeting, stating that he would
be absent for two or three days, but
would be in the shop for a couple of
hours morning and evening every day.
The leave of absence was granted.
After the adjournment of the Assem-
bly, on the 7th Hall took several of
the delegates through the shop by
permission. When he went to his
desk he found note from Mr.. Cros-
bic telling him his service was no
longer required. He went to MIR.
Crosbie and was told that he was dis
charged because he had been absent
without leave of absence, and because
a man was needed in the position of
foreman of whom the men were afraid.
The matter was laid before the Local
Executive Committee. and that body
sent note to A. Fl. Watts, the mas
ter mechanic of the road, asking the
reason for Halls discharge, and re-
questing his reinstatement No sat-
isfactory answer was given, and the
District Executive board then took
the matter in hand, and as they were
equally unable TO get any satisfaction
the strike was ordered. The state
meht of Mr.. Hall is supported by let
ters and affidavits."
The other side of the story is told
by Mr.. Crosbie. He says that on Sat
urday, February 13, Hall asked for
leave of absence for couple of hours
on Monday, which was granted. He
again spoke to him on Sunday about
it, and understanding that it was the
same request he told him it was all
right. Hail WAS absent for the best
part of three days, andimportant work
had to wait in consequence. On his
return he was discharged. Commit
tees called on him in regard to the
matter and questioned him He in-
formed the committee that Hall had
been discharged for absence without
leave and incompetency. Hall was
not as competent as his predecessors
had been and the books of the COM
pany showed it. Mr.. Watts, the mas.
ter mechanic said: s'We had been
giving in to the Knights for six
months, and the more we yielded the
more arrogant they became. We
we're right in the discharge OF Hall