The Portland daily press., 1888-03-17
WERE TIRED.
How Atchison Engineers Explain the
Strike.

KANSAS CITY, March The engineers
on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe rail-
road profess utter ignorance of the orders to
strike and say they have quit because they
were tired. The first indication of trouble
was when the Usage express was ready to
start from Kansas City, Conductor Murray
gave orders to start when the engineers re-
fused to pull out. Forty men employed in
the Santa Fe switch yard at Argentine, quit
work, all declaring themselves tired"
The chairman OF committee of the Broth
erhoOd of Locomotive Engineers, who is
now il Kansas City, received telegram from
Chief Arthur last night, instructing him to
start the committee for Chicago at once, and
instructing him that the Santa Fe company
was ready TO- compromise. The chairman
replied by asking if the Burlington Compa-
ny would accede to the strikers demands.
No reply has been received from Arthur
yet.
The End Coming.
CHICAGO, March 16.-Tne general mana
ger of one Of the most important railway
systems in the country told reporter yes
terday that the strike ON the Burlington
road would be declared off within 4S hours.
He is in position to know what the Broth
erhood is doing He added that the strike
had cost the road not less than $6,OOO,OOO
thus far.
The engineers Of the upper Michigan
peninsular roads yesterday, resolved not to
haul Burlington cars.
Reported in Chicago.
A special from Topeka, Kansas, says that
division superintendents of the Atchison
system report the men gone out all along the
lire. and traffic practically suspended. Pas
senger trains now on the road will not be
stopped until they reach the end Of the line.
On the Santa Fe there are about 700 engi-
neers and the same number os firemen, and
$500 train men. all thrown directly out of en-
ployment. General Manager Goddard says
the amount of perishable freight on the line
between California and Chicago is about 85
carloads, nearly all fruit. lt cannot now be
moved and if the strike continues the com
pany will be liable for the whole amount. In
addition there are over 1100 carloads of mer-
chandise tied up on the various divisions.
The officers of the company Will make every
effort to find engineers and nremen TO man
the freight and get lt 10 its desllnation. s Inc
few days.
Arthur Not Consulted.
Chief Arthur says he was not consulted in
regard to the Atchison strike, or notified of
it beforehand He knows OF no grievance
against the company, and the action of the
strikers is apparently open rebellion against
the Brotherhood. Chief Arthur received
despatch today from Chairman Conroe Of the
grievance committee of the Santa Fe road at
Kansas City. stating the Brotherhood men
on that road are out because the Santa Fe
Violated their contract with tne men Of the
Brotherhood in carrying burlington freight.
At first 1000 men went out, and afterwards
about 500 returned because they were work
ing on portion of the road owned by the
Construction Company, between Fort Madi-
Chairman Conroe to come to Chicago at once.
Complete Tie Up.
Reports from points along the line of the
Santa Fe shew a complete blockade Of both
freight aud passenger traffic. Train No.