Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-08
THE GREAT RAILROAD STRIKE
Business Paralyz ed on the Gould
SOUrhWeSteru System

ST. LOUIS, March S.-The strike OF a part OF
the knights OF Labor on the Gould southwest
ern system of railways Saturday was followed
yesterday at various points along the lines by
a general suspension OF work OF all knights enl-
poyed In any position by the railroads until
the number reached between 5000 and 10000.
and included shopmen, switchmen, trainmen.
brakemen and firemen. The engineers none
81 whom have Joined the strike, formally are
prevented from working by lack OF the strikers
assistance upon their engines and are counted
in among themselves by the knights SO far as
their value TO the road is concerned. Another
general order is expected from the executive
board in Marshall Texas, which, IL is predicted,
will call from their work all the knights now
left on the roads, and will still further cripple
them. In ST. Louis, all the Missouri Pacific en-
ployes who are knights OF labor, have struck.
and a number OF them who were not Knights
have Joined the order and left their work. No
fright trains and no passenger trains went out
OF ST Louis on the Missouri Pacific road yester.
day, and its business in every department Is az
a complete standstill. The knights have been
holding quiet and orderly meetings In theig
sion and is awaiting 10 hear from the railroad
authorities, 10 whom they are looking for u
proposition for q conference at which their dit.
ferences can be arranged 1t is probable that
unless some proposition OF this kind is made To.
day the strike will assume greater proportions,
and will injure the roads more than IL has AL
ready.
THE STRIKERS AND THE MAIL.
The strikers exercise great care that the delays
of the mails shall not be attributed TO them.
They have appointed delegates from their mum.
Der to prepare the mail cars for their trips,
switch them into position and attach them 10
the engines. This precaution makes IL impos-
sibe for the United States government 10 pre-
fer charges against them Tor delaying the mails,
and thus the government can md no pretexI
Tor interference unless violence ID resorted 20.
IL was with the greatest difficulty that any az
the Missouri Pacific trains could be moved this
morning, as the officials could persuade none OF
the strikers 10 assist in making them up. Az.
sstant Superintendent Stillwell, of the Union
depot, assisted by three yara masters, however,
succeeded in starting all the passenger trains
on time. Not a freight car on the Missouri Pa
cific has been moved from this city since Satur.
day night The members OF the board OF direc-
tors OF the road have arrived in this CITY, Chair
man L. V. Powderly, OF the general executive
committee OF the knights OF Labor, is expected
TO arrive here any hour, and the knights feel
confident that his efforts TO adjust affairs viii
result in a settlement OF the difficulties. The
Brakemen's Brotherhood met yesterday after.
noon in Thiel's hall, on South 4th street. As
near as could be learned their grievance IL that
their wages are too small They receive $6O
per month, but want SO, or Chicago prices, to
gether with extra pay for extra work. A com.
mittee Of the brakemen will call upon Mr.. A.
w. Dickson this afternoon and notify him that
after O'Clock no Missouri Pacific Bridge
and Tunnel company's will be handled
until the present strike is over.