The Portland daily press., 1888-03-12
the srlKERs' STRUGGLE.
Further Legal Proceedings Deferred
Until Judge Gresham Decides.
Twenty Thousand Brotherhood Men
VIII use Their Discretion
About Working for Roads Which
Help the Burlington.

New YORK. March 11.-A meeting of 1900
delegates representing 10000 Brotherhood
engineers and fremcn from all over the coun-
try was held here today. 1t Is resolved that
If the railways who have abetted the c. b. &
Q. do not cease doing so, I'VE. as indiyidu-
ais. will use our discretion about remaining
in their employ after certain date" The
resolutions are careful to say that no threats
are made to 'tie up" commercial and passeD-
Ger traffic, but the men will act as they think
best for their single interest.
Tho Situation Saturday.
CHICAGO, March 10.-There were no new
features in the strike, developed today. The
Burlington railway officers say the Lake
Shore, the Union Pacific, the Atchison, the
Missouri Pacific and the Fort Scott & Gulf
all continue to take freight from the Burling-
ton road. 1t is generally understood at the
office that no legal proceedings will be begun
until after Judge Gresham has rendered his
decision. 1t is said that shippers who are
suffering from the refusal of other roads to
handle Burlington freight will sue the obsti-
nate roads direct, instead OF the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy road.
The Case of Connecting Roads.
A local paper says: "The general mana
gers of the Western roads are considerably
exercised over the criticism brought out by
the policy which they have pursued in ref
erenee to the Burlington strike, and are in
clined to take issue with current opinion. One
of them yesterday. in discussing the matter
said: 1T is true that the road represent
and others have considered it for our best in
terests to disregard the Interstate law, but
we have adopted the wisest course, and one
which the outcome will justify us In taking.
1t was right to avert general strike Dy any
and all means. No one has yet measured
the full extent of such a calamity. 1t is nom
sense to say that our attitude has emDarres-
sed the Burlington in the slightest degree. Ii
it is independent of the strikers, as 1t as
serts, any backbone the engineers may get
from our policy of nOn-intercourSe would
have no effect upon that company. 1t would
on, inasmuch as in the final compromise 1t
would participate without nnbendlng
from its present dignifed stand. Its
troubles would be swamped in the
great calamity which would be in
flicted upon the country. Let me. say
that general strike could not be declared
off in amoment, and that it would ring the
death-knell of the Brotherhood. There
would at once be brought about a common
understanding among the railway managers,
and its plth and point would be tnat no en-
gineer would be placed in charge OF loco
motive on any line as Brotherhood man.
You can see very clearly what the issue
means The men would not yield in week
or in month, and a prolonged and deeper
ate struggle would ensue, which, until the
final bfeaking-up came, would utterly stag
nate the railroads and the commerce OF the
country That is what by a conservative,
and possibly law-breaking, course the
western lines have so far ayerted. 1t is a
wise and sensible policy. A little patience
and the strike will be over without spread
ing Gradually the strikers will yield
point here and another there, the conserya-
tive element will more completely assert It
self, and the danger will be over. Nothing
could be more foolish than to precipitate
catastrophe which, by the exercise of diplo-
macy, can be averted.
Ready to Strike.
KANSAS CITY, No., March 10.-At meet
ing of the Brotherhood Of Locomotive En-
gineers and Firemen today there were pres
ent representatives from the Fort Scott, the
Wyandotte, the Missouri Pacific and other
roads. All reported their meh ready to
strike if it was necessary for the success of
the men out ON the Burlington. Grand Mas
ter Wilkinson of the Brotherhood of Brake
men was introduced, and said his organlza-
tion had determined to give their aid TO the
engineers and brakemen, and expressed re
gret that they were not brought directly into
the struggle at the staft.
Judge Dundy Under Fire.
OMAHA, Neb., March 10.-The action of
Judge Dundy yesterday in the United States
Court, in enjoining the Union Pacific from
refusing the Burlington freight is the sub
s.,ak 80, oh, fnAf
that should the Injunction be enforced the
men will quit their engines in body.