The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-07


destruction of property since the strike began.
This is decided advance from the position they
held on Saturday before the conference with
Mr.. Hoxie they were then willing to assent to
an agreement which would restore the strikers
to the positions which were not then occupied
by new men, but Mr.. Hoxie's refusal to accept
even these, deprived them, they say, of the last
hope of reconciliation under the present
| circumstances The railway officials claim that
the continuance of their regular business,
which, they say, has now been fully resumed,
depends not the least upon the actions of any
labor organization, and that the freight block
ade has been permanently raised. They also
claim that they have employed a sufficient
number Of new men to render them entirely
independent OF the Knights Of Labor. and that
the strike will como to naught The members
Of the general executive board, however, state
that they are confident of the success Of the
strike, sfor," says Turner, "the roads cannot
be operated without the Knights. Skilled and
unskilled labor in the United States is con-
trolled by our organization, and the company of
Mr. Gould has not and could not supply itself
with railroad men or mechanics or even labor
ing men, if we should attempt to prevent it
If they employ any, they will leave again after
being at work little while. The laboring men,
too. who are not Knights OF Labor, are in
sympathy with u.s. and / think, will ultimately
support u.s. The statement that the company
is now carrying on its business is not true, and
the reports that they are now sending out 80
many trains day are misleading. These are
not trains. Some of them are half trains,
some even one composed of less than that num-
ber of cars and some are empty cars sent out to
make show"
The general executive board, yesterday, sent
the following telegram to Congressman A. G..
Curtin at Washington:
"ST. LOUIS, April 5.
"Hon. A. G. Curtin. Washington. D. G.:
''The resolution introduced by you in the
House of Representatives, to refer the present
difficulties existing on the Gould Southwestern
system of railways to a special committee. to be
appointed by the House, for their immediate in
vestigation, meets with the hearty approval of
this general executive board and we ask for its
passage at once; and the committee is requested
to come to ST. Louis as quickly as possible, as
we believe that such committee would gain suf-
fcient knowledge of the case to enable your body
to legislate intelgenty, and us to settle the
trouble. FREDERICK TURNER, Secretary;
NV. Fl. BAILEY,
~. w. HAYES.
"For the General Executive Board of the
Knights of Labor"
The effect of the order of the general execu.
tive board declaring the strike continued, has
had its effect upon the business of the Bridge
and Tunnel Company. Several Of the men who
had gone to work upon the bridge struck last
night, and others failed to report for duty this
morning At the Union Depot, also, the num-
Der of employees has been lessened by those who
have quit work, unwilling to occupy their posi-
tlons while the Knights Of Labor grievances are
still unsettled. No serious difficulty, however,
is experienced in making np and starting out
freight trains and the officials declare confidence
in their ability to employ new men to take the
places of the strikers The usual number of
freight trains on the Missouri Pacific and Iron
Mountain railroads started out this morning.
and although several Of the new switchmen have
been prevailed upon to give up their positions
no trouble has been encountered in moving
trains
Before leaving for the Southwest, Secretary
Turner said to reporter:
'sThis strike is on in earnest, and will be
fought, to use Mr.. Gould's language, TO the bit
ter end There will be no lawlessness, no vio-
lepce to person or property. We are satisfied
L
knights of Labor They can, of course make a
pretense. They can run few trains, but
course of masterly inactivity will force them to
come to time. The order makes no threats; no.
body is authorized to make threats; the princi-
pies of the order will not allow it. There is to
be no spread of the strike but the men now out
will be supported and sustained, and the men
who, though not members of the order, went
out, will be cared for The various local and dis
trict assemblies will provide for them, and if
necessary the entire order all over the country
will contribute. In short it is to be test of
endurance, and we have not the least misgiving
as to the outcome. The idea that we were whip
ped; that the Knights of Labor are weakening
that any of our members suffering, is
ridiculous to those of US who know the facts
We have resources never dreamed of by our op-
ponents, but we do not expect to draw upon any
of them. The fight will be perfectly honest,
honorable, and legal one, confined to the field it
is now occupying, and guided by clear headed,
careful thinking men, and there can be but one
result"
P. NJ Arthur, chief engineer of the Brother
hood of Engineers. arrived here last night. The
object of his visit is not known, but it is be-
lieved he will hold conference with engineers
while he is here, relative to the present strike
Train Movements at East st. Louis
ST. LOUIS. April 6.-The municipal election in
East ST Louis to-day has drawn the crowds of
strikers from the railroad yards anG depots to
the polls. and unusual quiet prevails. The rail
roads are handling freight in large quantities.
Despite the small force Of men engaged on
the bridge and at the Union Depot,
several freight trains have passed over
the river At the several depots in East
St Louis numerous freight trains have
arrived and have been unloaded by the new
is large enough to handle all their business.
The Chicago, Burlington s. Quincy switch en-
ginsers, who struck yesterday, returned to work
again to-day, and have been running their en-
gnes all the morning. The c., B. 6 q. striking
switchmen also returned to work this morning,
but, by the request of the Knights of Labor,