Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-04-02
THE BIG STRIKE
BLOCKING COMMERCE'S WHEELS
And Virtually Closing Chicago From the
Outside World.

CHICAGO, March 31.-StrfSe following
strike in rapid succession was the result
to-day of the .Burlipgton's first attempt to
resume forcing freight On the other roads.
Almost at the very outset q strike occurred
on the Fort Wayne system, involving for
the frst time, an undoubted extension Of
the trouble to the roads leading east from
Chicago. A leading western line, the Mil
waukee and st. Paul had been completely
tied up between midnight and daylight,
and Chairman Hoge, the leader, in the alb
sence Of Chief Arthur, intimated that be
fore another midnight there might be pre-
cipitated a succession OF strikes unparsl-
leled in this city.
At 10 a. M. came the initial steps by
the Burlington, in what seemed a pro-
gramme Of aggressiveness TO transfer the
seat Of wal to the lines Of other roads.
A train of fifteen cars WAS made up and
quickly transferred to the Fort Wayne;
while, at about the same time, another
train OF twenty-five cars was made up for
the Lake Shore road and started Out with
forty Pinkerton men aboard, who had
provided themselves with rocks to use 10
an emergency. No strikers were to be
seen and the transfers were made without
the slightest hindrance. Then came the
question as TO how long the Fl. Wayne
and Lake Shore roads would allow the
Burlington cars to be untouched on the
tracks. 1t was not until . p. Ii. that O
nov in this direction was made.
FORT WAYNE MEN REFUSE TO WORK.
The train which had been transferred to
the Fort Wayne stood upon the ''Y' at
Sixteenth street, and Fort Wayne officials
ordered the men to take and pull it upon
the Fort Wayne tracks. The men prompt
ly refused, and run their engines in The
news spread from one engine to another,
and in . few moments all the crews in the
yard had quit work. Eighteen switch
engines had been made idle and the crews
of the 22O passenger engines. The Fort
Wayne train dispatcher said that he had
assurances from the passenger engineers
that they would not go ont, but no de-
pepdence was placed in them.
Along the line of the Chicago, Milwau-
kee and st. Paul road freight business was
completely paralyzed and passenger traffic
almost suspended. The morning through
passenger trains were on time, as the news
of the strikes, which had been ordered at
midnight, had not reached them before
they left their destinations. As soon as
the Western Avenue yards were reached,
however, each engine was mounted by =
delegation appointed for that purpose,
who whispered to the engineer that a
strike had been ordered, and then jumped
from the cab. The train continued
on its way ill the depot was reached,
where the passengers alighted. Them it WAS
backed out to Western avenue again,
where it wa abandoned by the crew.
This afternoon the engineers, fremen
and switchmen of the St. Paul held a
meeting and decided to send a committee
to the officials of the road to suggest srbi-
tIation. Superintendent Earliug, at the
request of the committee, visited the meet
ing and TIE men laid before him q PROPOSE
ton whereby they agreed to handle empty
but not loaded 20" cars.
Mr.. Earling asked them TO submit their
proposition in writing aud agreed to for
ward it to General Manager Roswell Mil
Ter, at Milwaukee.