The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-31
THE UNEASY RAILROAD MEN
Sympathywith The Chicago Strikers POr-
tends Trouble on the LocabRoads.
Engineers and Switchmen Say that While
They Do Not Like TO Handle BurIing-
ton Cars They Will Not Strike.

For two or three days there have been rumors
current that the railroads centering in Indian
apois were going to have trouble with their en-
aineers. fremen aud switchmen, and while
there seems TO be some foundation for the re-
ports. it is impossible TO get any reliable in
formation regarding the intentions of these
three classes of workmen on account of their re-
fusal to talk. The engineers and frenen. dis
appointed over the outcome of the C., B. & @
strike, feel very toward several roads that
have all along handled the freight of the road
which 10 under the ban of the Brotherhood.
The soreness of the engineers and fremen.
together with their suspicious movements
for several days, have led the managers
of several companies interested TO believe that
strike was intended. Some stated yesterday
that they would not be surprised to a strike
OF some kind inaugurated at any time. The
feeling that trouble is pending has become
pronounced that one or two roads doing big
coal business have for several days been doub-
ling their hauling capacity, to throw into
large cities which they supply hundreds of cars
loaded with coal, to be ready for use by patrons
in of acrisis.
The indications are that if a strike is declared
it will be among the switchmen first They
equally as sore against the roads as the enei-
and fremen, and should they go out the
movement would necessarily stop the run
nirg of trains to great extent and
would nominally amount to a strike
of the engineers and firemen. Railroad men
who fully understand the situation believe that
If strike is undertaken it will not AFFECT the
RAINING of passenger trains. The engineers
fremen and braKemen have grievance
against the roads on account of their passenger
traffic, but their sole purpose will be- If action is
taken. to compel all roads TO cease handling c..
b. & Q. freight.
A strong feeling ia reported as being fostered
against the Panhandle and If any trouble oc-
ours it is expected that IL will show itself on
that line first Several days ago the j., NJ 81 /.
engineers who reside at the southern end of that
road made an effort to bring about pressure
against the road because it handled 20 freight,
but as the majority of engineers were then
posed to any proposition involving a stoppage
of work IL was failure.
Neither the engineers, the fremen, nor the
switchmen will discuss the situation, though
they claim there is to suspect any
trouble. I'VE do feel that some of the Indian
apolis roads have not treated us as they should"
said one engineer last night but far as
know no one ia going to strike. We have al
ways. as an organization, stood for the roads.
and we feel that matter of courtesy they
should not have handled O. freight So far
individual treatment is concerned the who
run on indianapolis lines have complaint to
make, but if the brotherhood does not stand by
its men when they have a just cause. it will
not be long until it will be an
organization without any power" The switch
LHou hUOut tHe OeIsOL sAlQ they W0r0s OF course,
in sympathy with the striking switchmen on
the G., B. q @. road but they did not know of
any movement looking to a strike here One
man remarked that he believed now would be
good time to learn the railroads lesson, but he
thought the majority Of were opposed to
striking
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
and Firemen havs issued call for JOINT meet
ing tomorrow night. with the announcements
that important business is to be considered. AS
it is only on very important occasions the two
Brotherhoods meet in joint session. and then al
ways TO consider a common interest there is
good deal Of speculation in railroad
circles to what the purpose of
the meeting is. Usually when such meetings
are called the object is stated in the call, but
this time.no announcement is made. Several
engineers who were questioned about the meet
ing last night claimed that they did not know
its purpose, but said he understood the
meeting to be for the purpose of divising some
means for providing for the families of injured
engineers and f1remen. Whether not there
is any cause for the uneasiness felt will be re-
vealed after the meeting has been held.