The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-02-28
The Great Western Strike.

The ST ike of The engineers and firemen of
the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy rail
road, the details Of which are given in our
dispatches this morning, win be far-reach-
ing in its effects, and may be productive of
great deal of bad feeling between the
strikers ard the Knights of Labor.
The number of the strikers is l,400, and
the number of men who in all probability,
will be thrown cut Of employment is 1900.
! The striking engineers and liremen will not
resort TO any violence because IT is against
the rules of tho Brotherhood Of Locomo-
tives Engineers to do so, but if the Knights
of Labor assume on attitude Of hostility TO
the m, and attempt to take the places which
they have vacated, with view of perman-
emily holding them, the strike may show
some violent phases. If other labor organi-
cations stand aside, and permit
the strikers and the railroad com
pany to settle their differences
the best way they can, the chances are the
strike will be a very long one. The Brother
hood of Locomotive Engineers is the strong
est single labor organization in the world,
having 5000 members, who are picked
men, and who are guided by chief who is
noted for good judgment and for
not advising any course OF action
unless he sees clearly his way to success.
The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy rail
road is one of the greatest and wealthiest
railroad corporations in the country 1t
controls 6 900 miles of track, and its main
line and branches spread over -four great
States and reach far to the Northwest,
West and Southwest When two
giants like this labor organization
and this railroad corporation determine to
engage in trial Of strength, it is safe to
conclude that the trial will not be over in a
day, and that its effects will be extremely
harmful, not only to those engaged in it,
but also to those who are indirectly con-
nected with them. II the strike is a long
one the Brotherhood Of Locomotive Engi-
neers will have TO help support the strikers,
and the business of the vast territory that
is tributary to the railroad and its branches
will suffer partial paralysis.
1t is stated that the railroad is not much
concerned about the strike, because it is not
now earning much, if any, more than ex-
penses on account of the war of rates that
has been going on in the West for several
weeks. but that war may cease at any hour.
Whether 1t does or not, it cannot but be
harmful TO the railroad to have its immense
business brought to a standstill for an in
definite time.
The cause of the strike is a difference
about wages. The railroad is willing to
pay as much as any other road for service
on its main line and chief branches, but it
refuses to pay the same rate of wages on its
minor branches where the service is not so
exacting. The strikers want so
much pay for so many miles
run, whether the business is
heavy or light. Mr.. Arthur, the Chief of
the Brotherhood of Engineers was present
when the strike was ordered and consented
to it. The progress of the strike will be
watched with interest, particularly as it is
thought that the Knights of Labor. who
have grudge against the Brotherhood on
account of occurrences on the Reading rail-
road several years ago, will attempt to sup
ply the places Of the strikers from their own
ranks.