The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-10
AT SIT. LOUIS.
The Knights Will Endeavor to Shut or the
Missouri Pacifc's Coal Supply.

The knights VIII EndeavOP to Shut OH the
Missouri Pacifc's Coal Supply.
ST. Louis, April 9-From certain signs and
symptoms, il has been evident that during the
last few days another move in the great strike
was being planned by the general executive
board and its associates. That the key Of this
move is the already much-mooted question of
the coal-supply is tolerably certain. Now that
the bulk Of the Knights employed by the Gould
system are out, and that there is little hope of
securing cooperation from the engineers a blow
at the source Of supply that furnishes the mo-
tive power itself Is suggested. The shutting off
of the coal supply, that caused SO much con-
sternation in St Louis a short time ago. was
probably an incident of the strike rather han
the result Of a preconcerted idea. for an attempt
was not only made to stop coal, but everything
else, as WELL from crossing the river. The real
reason why the embargo on coal was raised was
in the shape of the following which was gem
orally circulated among the strikers in East ST.
Louis "The strikers are booming Gould's coal
company. By shutting off the East ST. Louis
coal-supply from all routes except the Wabash,
which is protected by United States marshals
and stopping teamsters from hauling coal from
other yards, the strikers have driven an immense
trade to the Wabash tracks, whore Jay Goulds
company is reaping harvest
The executive committees then ordered the
Knights not to interfere with the movement of
coal, and the blockade was raised. The present
plan of the strikers, which has been deci
upon aims first at the Ellsworth mine, own
by Jay Gould. The company employs vel
large number of miners at Mt Olive, Staunton
and Warden where the shafts are located A
great proportion of these are knights Of Labor
TO their assembly wore mas been sent to make,
upon notification. demand upon the company
to cease to load coal for the Missouri Pacific or
any of its branches. Should this demand not be
conceded a cessation of work is next on the pro-
gramme. Mr.. Bailey, of the general executive
board of the knights of Labor, was seen and
questioned concerning this plan. He was re-
luctant to say anything, but finally admitted
that the story was, in substance, true.
Twill the order for strike, if one Is given,
come from the general board"
"Yes, suppose 1t will"
"When will the demand be made upon the
Ellsworth company not to load for the Missouri
Pacihcl"
.'Well, it is liable to be done any moment
now"
Suppose, Mr.. Bailey they refuse, there is a
strike, and the Missouri Pacific simply gets its
coal from some other point-what. thenW
THE same programme will be repeated at
that other point, and from place to place. until
if necessary, there is general stoppage OF coal
mining all over Illinois"
s.Wiil not that cause immense suffering among
innocent peopleW
Probably. So does war cause immense suf
fering among innocent people. If the coal COM
pany refuses to accede to our demand, it is they
who are responsible for the consequences-not
u.s."
Master Mechanic Bartlett, Of the Missouri Pa
cifc railroad, yesterday sent to twenty ythree of
the fremen who left their engines during the
first part of the strike, and have been out since,
notice that their services were no longer re-
qured by the company, and requested them to
call for their pay at his office. This action may
possibly result in agitation among the iremen
that will cause the case of the discharged men
to be taken up by the brotherhood, and if that
is DONE the twenty three men will either be re-
instated by the company or there will be strike
of the brotherhood men along the entire system.
The brotherhood has very carefully drawn
contract with the company. and in this the cir
cumstances under which fremen may be dis
charged are plainly related The fremen in
this strike have persistently claimed that they
were not on strike, but left their engines
because they thought it safer to do so than to
STAY Oh them