New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-21
STRIKERS PRESENTING THEIR CASE.

yHE COMPRESSION COMMITTEE AT PoTTsvILLE-
DECLARING THAT THE READING BROKE FAITH
tn AID THE LEHIGH OPERATORS
PJ,tsvle. Feb. 20.-The Congressional Committee
appointed to inquire into the Schuylhll and Lehlgh
.Grlkss and the strike the Reading Railroad
and their elect Interst ate commerce, bgan It's In
vest CATIONS in tho coal region here day The first
witness examined was Joseph Cahil secretary OF the
Ie mt Omm teo OF the Reading Railroad employees
en,ion, If which John l.. Lee is chairman He is
a native of Philadelphia thirty one years old and has
been In the employ of the Reading Railroad Company
for ton years, Leglnnng labOrer and becoming
finally delivery cicik In the freight department lie
was dis h.rg d during the recent troubles, after he
had elected secretary Of the Employees Committee
lie lclat,d circumstances of investigation made
prior tbs strike whom II was learned that the Read
tug RailrUsd Company was supplying the Lehgh oper-
stors with coal In order TO break down the strike A
number of of coal intended for Lehsh operators
were ted up bridgeport. But" said the witness,
: w4en wer1 told thai We were violating The law,
ateruptng Interstate commerce. by keeping these
IL Br.d,ekort, moved them This
o on ,hr weeks before our strife. The cars were
tea up resolution OF the convention that Our
men shouid not handle seao coal"
Who are seaDs ~
N,oI VINO had taken the places of union men on
Why do yon call them scabs ~
because don't know any worse name 70 eau Them
have sou to prescribe seabs' who arc workmen like
Iecausy the railroads combine to their work
nen AID We mu,t combine to get living wages
Then the good wall and humanity OF your ofr1er
aoo- not elu' scabs -
No. sir
The wi ness then proceeded TO detail the circum-
stances OF the refusal the to load the Coke boat
a, Elizabeth port which led to the strike on December
"a. -,
"Upon what do you base your right to refuse to load
tho Coke boat ~
Becanse we knew that the coal was intended for
Jehlgh opeYstois and to help the operators thee
10 IL oui against the strikers and 1copaldlLe Their
fnfeyc Is and hal Mr.. Sveigards ASSURANCE 'hAt
the company would not do this"
Philadelphia Feb 90 (Speciall-Gcneral Manager
sweigard said to-day Work was begun In twenty
four mines this morning when the whistles blew
dead work was begun in eight and seven are nozen
nm and cannot he worked. This areouDts for aoom
NIL of tho III adelpLia and Reading Coal and Iron COM
oany,s colIeries and an indication that the strike
!. really over. The resumption OF WORK has been
unite general: some men have refused 10 go Dack'
but do not think their dsafcctt0n VIII Dc aoie ~
oont animate the others
NO ANSWERS FROM THE BIG COMPANIES
Scranton Feb 90 (SpecaD. Assembly No 10 mel
here 10 day 10 act on Of the coal operators
An respapse 10 the demand for increase OF 10 per
cent I'm minerss wages No answers were received from
fbe DELAWARE Lac kaw and western and delaware
and Hudson companies the largest coal producers III
the district Smaller concerns gave favorabe ans
based on the action of the two companies INC
question Of strike referred 10 the district TX
Rcut.ve Roaid With power to act THIS board niee''
Wednesday.