Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-04-03
CHAUNCEY NJ. DKPEW
DlseourGes Oh the Western Railroad Strikes
How He Treats His Employees.

DlseourGes Oh the Western Railroad Strikes
How He Treats His Employees.
New YORK, April 2.-The Herald to-day
prints the following: The Burlington and
Quincy Railroad strike, with its far-rsAch.
iDg rsmifcations, is ssssuming such gigantic
proportions that its effect is likely to be felt
far and wide.
Other roads, through some cause o. 9th
or, are becoming entangled in this great
struggle; one city is threatened with star
walton, and il is not impossible, Judging
from the news which comes from the West,
that the strike may be extended TO the
Eastern roads, although there are not at
present, 50 far as known to the outside
world, any existing circumstances which
would justify such an eyentuality.
AS it enters the realm Of possibilities,
however, and as the effect, if such thing
should come to pass--the railroads tied mp
by strikers before they had time to recover
from the effects of the tie-up Of the hliz-
zarG-would be most serious and affect
commerce Is well as the well-being CE
every Eastern city, the opinions of that
genial and practical railroad man, Chaun-
cey NJ. Depew, were sought yesterday by q
reporter.
The President of tho New York and
Hudson River road was somewhat reluct.
ant to speak on the subject, owing to the
position he occupies, as he said his Ian
guage might have some effect he had not
intended to produce. After being assured
that be would be faithfully reported, Mr..
Depew consented TO answer the following
questions:
''Do you think, Nr. Depew, that the
railroad strike will extend to the Eastern
roads, as is rumoredH"
II see no reason why il should. There
are no circumstances existing, so far as !
am aware of, that would seem to warrant
such step"
There are rumors that the strike will
become general. Have you any Informs
ton which would tend TO confirm or deny
such report?"
We'll, no, have not been in Chicago
and haven't seen any railroad man since
Thursday. Oa that day there were some
here, and they told Inc they could not
understand this strike, especially since its
recent developments"
'If it should become general or extend
TO the Eastern roads, what, in your opiu-
ion, would be the efects?"
''It would depend upon its extent, char
acter and causes. There are no two strikes
alike. Still, some of its effects would be
this: Coal and food would give cut, every
body would be ont of employment, and
the working class would be the greatest
sufferers. Chicago would starve to death
that way, for it would be shut off from the
outside world"
"Whst course would the Eastern roads
be likely to pursue in such an exentual-
ity?"
That is bard to tell till the nature of
the strike becomes known"
'Is there any likelihood of trouble cn
the Eastern roads?"
"None. have heard of no complaint
on any of the Ioads."
at is reported that the Chicago railroad
men have decided to order o strik, on the
Lske Shore, Chicago and Alton, Pam
handle, Fort Wayne and Santa Fe roads.
Wouldn't that interfere seriously with
Eastern c0nnectiOns?'
There would still remain several roads
open, and it wouldn't embarrass Eastern
railroads 10 any extent"
"Mr. Dsrew, how do you regard strikes
generality"
"As avery poor way of reaching results" "
do you favor arbitration?"
81 dO-that is, unless the strikers want
to get the entire management of the road.
Then you can't arbitrate."
"As a railroad man, what course do you
think would be the best to adopt under
the present and similar circumstances"
~ don't like TO advise Others, but my
way is to keep my door constantly open TO
our employees, SEQ their committees, hear
their demands and remedy their grievances
when it is possible to do SO, and when the
demands are reasonable. The main ele-
ments of success in this wOrld are good
sense, good temper and minding your own
business. That's how we kept out Of the
fight in 1877"
what is your opinion of the Brother
hood of EngineersP"
al always found them very intelligent
bedy of men, and Arthur | looked upon
as a man of good sense and courage, to
whose wisdom the Brotherhood owes its
present streugth."