The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-08
THE GENERAL SITUATION.

THE GENERAL SITUATION.
All Interest Centera the ProcsadiDga or
the Grievance Committees.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
CHICAGO March 7.-An the interest in the
Burlington strike centers tonight around
McCoy's Hotel. Here the members of tho griev-
ance committee Of the Northwestern road ia
gathering for the purpose of considering the
desrabilisy of sieng up ths Chicago S North
western for its action in handling freight
passed over the Burlington. Upto O'clock all
the members OF the COMMITTEES had not arrived,
and 1t was doubtful whether meeting would be
held before tomorrow morning. Meanwhile ra-
ports are coming into headquarters that the
grievance committees of the ST. Paul. Wis
consin Central, and other roads in session
their respective divisions, and the air
is full of war and rumors of war. According TO
various irresponsible stories, the New York Gem
trail. the Michigan Central and other roads have
been endeavoring to induce their employees to go
10 the aid Of the Burlington, ana free passage
and other inducements have been freely offered.
At the headquarters of the strikers. where this
information has been supposed to originate,
complete ignorance OF any such facts is ex
pressed, and the stories meet with emphatic
denial at the Offices of the Burlington road. The
statement of Chief Arthur that il any OF the
Burlington's connections discharge an engineer
for refusing to take freight strike will imme-
diately follow, ID an important one, in view OF
the provisions of the intsrstate-commeroe law,
which makes it offense punishable by fne for
one road to refuse to pull another roads freight
passenger over its lines to the point OK
destination.
There was a prolonged conference this after
noon between tie head officials of the Burlng-
ton and the representatives of its legal DEPART
ment. and. at its conclusion, Panl Morton said:
''We intend TO open up for through business.
IF other lines refuse to handle our business, we
will take such steps may be deemed Eeces-
sary. We public servants and we intend to
accommodate our shippers. Ii we hud that,
under existing conditions, powerless to
do so. we will go into the courts, if necessary.
We common carriers, and compelled to
receive freight offered. 1t seems. that the
representatives of the Brotherhood are
going to attempt to annoy u.s. liz
is not action OF this kind that will make MS give
in 20 them. We are not going 70 surrender 70
them; will the men that hsve left Us at thS
dictation of Chief Arthur better their condition
by attempting to obstruct shippers and delay
business 1t must be rememo oered that as
last resort we can obtain an order of court co M
peling connecting lines to handle our freight.
No. we do not regard the situation as being 40
all critical"
The usual reports were received at the offices
OF the company to-day, showing that freight
and passenger traffic was moving in good shape,
while telegrams were received by Chief Arthur
from Kansas City, Terre Haute. Palestine,
Tex, and other points. pledging hearty financial
support
The strike is involving the other roads at the
stock yards. This morning five Lake Shore en-
gineers refused to take a train of Burlington
cars from Englewood to Sixteenth street. de-
elaring that they would quit before they would
haul anything bearing the %" label The carss !
consequently, remain at EnRlewood- The Wa
bash switchmen refused. this morning, TO re-
ceive Burlington cars which were brought to the
yards at Root street. The swtchIpen employed
by the Union Stock-yards and Transit Company,
al
would handle no Burlington cars
The company has, as lyet, taken
no other action in the matter. The twenty-five
employees of the Burlington at the yards, whose
business ii is TO care for all the stock arriving
over that road, were discharged to-day, mo-
stock is arriving, and consequently there is
nothing for them 60 do.
General Freight Agent Ripley iOsued a notice
tonight TO the effect that the company was pre-
a carload of emigrant goods, to any point on the
Burlington system in the Western States. Tbia
is for the accommodation of emigrants who are
enroute west with live stock for the purpose OF
settling upon new farms
At 10 P. Nj. it was made known that the con-
ference of Northwestern engineers, at McCoy's
Hotel, has been postponed until $50 to morrow.
The general drift of opinion among the dele
eates is that while they have actual griev-
ance against the road, it has not acted fairly in
CARRYING the passengers and freight of the Bur-
lsngton, and that therefore strike would be
justifable. The same opinion existed among
the strikers that congregated in the rotunda OF
the Grand Pacific. Chief Arthur, however, is
understood to entertain more conservative feel
ings
In the night mail of Chief Arthur was the fol-
lowing letter from II. Z. Hayes of the we'll
known banking house of w. T. Hayes & Sons,
of Cleveland. O.:
''I have wanted to write you a few lines to LET
you know the drift of public opinion In and
around Cleveland regarding the % strike.
Owing to your good management in giving the
press all the facts, think il is generally under
stood that the O. people pot paying
their engineers high wages as competng
roads. Yon have certainly put yourself on
record in inis matter, and do not see that you
can do otherwise than fight it through. Ii 10 to
be hoped that negotiations can be made with
the irregular engineers who are taking your
mems places. SO that the strike need not spread
and paralyze business transactions. No one
will question the right of labor 20 combine
for protection any more than capital, X
it does not border upon extortion IN
either case. As far you are personally con-
cerned. your men. the country at large. and the
railroad men must and certainly do give you
credit, and in the past. or very wise and
equitable discretion in these matters OF such
vital interest TO all. If can be OF any benefit
to you in any way in this locality. please COM
mand me.
Commissioner Dey's Ouser Conduct
BURLINGTON, Ia, March The Brotherhood
OF Locomotive Engineers and Firemen have