The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-29
TIE BURLINGTON STRIKERS.
They Adopt New Plan of Operations. and
Ostensibly Override Chief Arthur.

CHICAGO. March 28.-The Burlington engi-
neers and fremen practically cut away from
their leaders and their grievance committees
to-day and took hold of the strike with firm
grip. The reason for this action that the
more impulsive had become impatient the
slow and apparently unsuccessful methods of
Chief Arthur They wanted to strike the nail
on the head, SO they appointed committees and
sent them out to work. Every road running
into Chicago visited, and pledges were
obtained from all of the switchmen and switch
engineers that under circumstances would
they move Burlington Later in the
day mass-meeting was held in the hall at the
corner CT jefferson and Fourteenth streets.
Delegates from all Of the roads were present,
and the pledges made TO the committee were re-
peated. Tonight the strikers claimed that an
infexible boycott against Burlington cars had
been established. and they were positive that
not Burlington car would be moved tomorrow
in Chicago except on Burlington tracks. The
strikers intimated that further steps in the
great struggle with the Burlington would be
taken IN day or two. limiting that the Burliug-
ton brakemen aud freight conductors would quit
the road and that the strike would suraly spread
to other roads il the companies attempted to
force their employees to handiet the boycotted cars
All this. it is given out has been done in de-
hanee of Chief Arthur and the other regular
leaders, and it is even asserted that Mr. Arthur
Will resign In week. Sucn statements, now
ever, not generally believed. The osten-
sible revolt is looked on by many as simply
covert change in the strikers plan of campaign.
The results of the new tactics may be seen for
the present. The Burlington is not yet ready
to exchange freight with any of it's connecting
lines. When the company is sufficiently
equipped with switchmen to again offer it's cars
to other roads, the real battle will begin. The
leading feature of the new boycott will be that
the men will quit work individually when or
dered to handle Burlington cars No general
strike will bs ordered. and the instructions of
the mems own executive officers will be disre-
garded. at least in appearance.
Mr.. Paul Morton. speaking for the Burling ton
company to-day. relative to the switchmens
strike, said: 1--WE are working fifteen switch en-
gines; two in the lumber district. four IN the
stock yards, five in the lower yards. miscel-
laneous, aud the rest around the freight houses.
There were only six at work yesterday. There
violence of any kind and every thing is
quiet around the yards. We hired forty-fve
swtchmen to-day, and by Friday we will have
all want Six freight trains were sent for
ward to day. We recruiting rapidly al along
the line. We have not commenced exchanging
freight with other roads yet have to attend to
own business first"
A carload of KNIGHTS of Labor braksmen and
conductors from the Reading system passed
through PittsburR from the East. this morning,
enronte Chicago. to take the places of the
striking swItchmen of the Burlington There
were seventy Eve in the party, aud more will
follow to- might and to morrow.