The Portland daily press., 1888-03-06
ARTHuR'S ARMY.
Brotherhood Engineers Enthuslas-
tic to Help Their Comrades.

tic to Help Their Comrades.
What Might Happen II General Tie
Up Ensued.
The Burlington Road In Condition to
Resume Freight Traffic.
CHICAGO, March 5.-Referring to the pos
sibility of general strike being ordered on
the western railroads by the engineers and
firemen, Chicago paper says today; 1T IS
probable that the Chicago & Northwestern
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific; Chicago,
Milwaukee &c st. Paul; Chicago Il Alton
Wisconsin Central, Illinois Central, Wabash.
Chicago, ST. Paul q Kansas City, and all OF
the branches and leased lines Of these rail-
roads would be involved. Roughly estimat-
ed this will embrace about $1,000 miles Of
road and will completely close the channel OF
communication between Chicago and the
West. 1t will destroy the express business,
paralyze trade and suspend the operation OF
all mining ard manufacturing industries,
and this in territory of over thousand
miles square. When it Is remembered that
these roads penetrate to Canada on the north,
to the Rocky Mountains on the west and TO
Indian Territory ON the south the scope OF
their operations and the magnitude Of the
interests they serve can be better cOmpre-
hended. More than this 1t would cut off the
great northern and middle transcontinental
routes, reducing them to local roads at once,
the consequence being that the great interi-
or basin from Utah to Oregon would suffer
equally with the Mississippi and Missouri
river valleys.
'It is not only trade and commerce which
would suffer. Labor, both skilled and COM
mon, would feel the effects, and most dlsas-
trously. The general managers OF the rail:
roads named freely state that In case OF
a strike upon their lines there Is but one
course for them to pursue, shut down
the shops and freight houses, dis
charge workers and await the end.
This would throw out of work $1,000 men.
Beyond that comes stoppage OF manufac-
tories, suspension OF mines, cessation, OF
lumber operations, ETC., which must follow
any shutting down Of the railroads mem
toned. And it is conservative statement
to estimate this great outside army employed
in the industries named at million men.
PIedging Anew Their Allegiance.
Members of the grievance committee Of
Western and Northwestern railroads, repre-
oCutluS UObu buC CHblhCClo duQ hAOHASh
organization, arrived in Chicago today In
response to the call of Chief Arthur, to take
action pertaining to the Chicago, Burlington
& Quincy strike The meeting commenced
at 10 o'clock andwa strictly secret.
The meeting closed at 7.3O p. m. and
many delegates left for home. Chief Engi-
neer Arthur and Grand Master Sargent de-
clined to say anything. A prominent engi-
neer present said arthur called the
heads of the grievance committees together
to ascertain how the engineers and firemen
of the roads centering in Chicago felt tow
ard the Burlington men, He wanted to be
sure of his position before he took any fur
ther steps. The chairmen all reported al
legiance to the chief and their moral and
momentary support to the fullest degree.
Arthur thanked the men for their loyalty
and told them to go to their various dlvis-
ions and report to all that it was fight to
win and that after pledges given at today S
meeting he would win the Burlington fight
in short order"
Telegrams from the Brotherhood In vari-
Gus sections of the country have been re-
ceived today by Mr.. Arthur offering their
services to the strikers.
Possibly Averted.
General Manager Harris, of the Chicago,
Burlington & Northern. on which a strike
was ordered at p. M, called this afternoon
at Chief Arthur's private room. Arthur
came from the grievance committee meeting,
Harris requesting his assistance in avoiding
the dreaded strike. Arthur replied that he
had not been consulted by the men and,
therefore, If they struck, 1t was their own
fight. He could not interfere for or against
either side. This made Unnecessary for Har-
ris to discuss the difference with his own
men. The grievance committee OF the
load was called in from the general meeting.
An hours discussion resulted in an order to
the men not to strike. The whole matter
will be held in obeyance until the chairman
of the committee reaches home and has a
talk with the men.
In Running Order.
The following was sent out tsday:
NOTICE TO SHIPPERS.
The c. B. s. @. will tomorrow (Tuesday) March
9th, receive all freight, carloads and less, des-
tined TO stations Oh the line of the O. b. O., Chi
fagT KsSkSk iSwS c6ca%o S Barngon s
Kansas City, Burlington 81 Western, Burlington
& Northwestern, Humstone & Shenandoah, Kan
City. st. Joseph Council Bluffs, and the Chi
eago, Burlington & Northern roads. We expect
to make reasonably prompt delivery. Though the
time may not be as good as formerly, yet we hope
very soon 10 be able to forward promptly, deliver
ing freight for all points on our lines and connec-
tions. K. 7. RIPLEY,
GcutTdl rIclSHt ABcht.
II don't hesitate to say" said Paul Nor
gan, speaking for the company, 'that the
backbone of the strike is broken. The tail
Of the animal still lives, but that doesn't
generally die until after sunset. We have
taken all the engineers and firemen we can
handle, and have instructed the eastern
agents not to send any more unless they hap
pen to be thoroughly competent engineers.
Congressional Action.
WASHINGTON, March 5.-Mr. White OF
Indiana, in the House, presented bill au.
thorizing the Speaker of the House, in view
of the widespread destitution and suffering
likely to ensue If the great strike on the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad i:
not speedily checked, to appoint a specia
| committee to proceed at once to Chicago anC
| investigate the condition of affairs in rela
| tion to the strike, and that they be empower
| ed to act as mediators between the Dhieago
| Burlington Il Quincy Railroad Company ant
| Chief Arthur, and endeavor to effect al
| amicable settlement Of the existing troubles