The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-03-07
THE aAlLRoAD STRIKE.
But LIttie change in the situation

But Little Change in the Situation.
CHICAGO, March, 5.--The meeting this
morning Of clairmen of Grievance Com
mittees Of the several Western railroads was
very largely attended, and the most CONS
piese harmony and unity of sentiment were
manifested. NJ j. 0Brien who has been
selected at the brotherhood headquarters as
the person TO bold communication with press
representatives. said, in regard to the meet
ing of the Grievance Committee Chairman,
that he was strongly ofihe impression that
the strike would not be extended TO other
roads.
The fact that delegates from the Brake
mems Brotherhood were present indicated
one object of the conference. All the en-
gineers who could be induced to talk said
the brakemen We're with the strikers and
would not run freight trains with nom
Brotherhood engineers.
The meeting closed at 1:30 P. NJ, and
many of the delegates left for their homes.
Chief Arthur and all the others have been
pledged TO the utmost secrecy.
Mr. 0'Brien, ofthe Press Committee, when
asked this evening if a strike was coutem-
plated on the Northwestern Road, where the
classification system is still in force, said:
The Grievance Committee of the North
western Road is not in possession Of any
grievances 10 present to the officials of that
road. The utmost good feeling exists be-
tween the officials and the men in the en-
gine service. 4 strike on that road has not
been discussed that is as division matter.
1t is the intention of the engineers 10 con-
fine the strike TO the 80" system and not TO
have the strike business become contagious.
1t would require very little TO spread this
feeling of striking, and we do not want that.
What 60 you think of the progress the
Burlington is making in handling its busi-
ness Notwithstanding the sfrike?n We
consider that the %, has not been successful
in their effort 10 work. Their engineers
the men they have passed-have been sue
cessfuI only in burning out engines, and the
feeling that their men are incompetent is so
general that the people of Iowa have called
on their Board of Railway Commissioners
to examine the men and see if they are cap
able and competent. and say whether the
a road is right in putting incompetent men
on their engines. and thereby rendering the
public Liable TO accident through the incom-
potency of these men, The Iowa Commits
sioners are in session at Burlington. and
they haye been examining men tor three or
four days. We have received copy OF the
report of the examination that has taken
place there. As far as the result goes the re-
port shows the men examined are very in
competent. The ultimate victory will snred-
ly be ours, as the Brotherhood can hold out
just as long as the company"
Do you know OF any new men leaving
the Burlington Road?n They are going
back right along all the time as soon as they
understand the situation
What about the strike on the Burlington
and Northern - " The Grievance Committee
on that road has reported that it has exam
incd into the matter and found that no
grievance exists there The officials of the
Burlington and Northern have undertaken
to be perfectly neutral in the matter
THE MEN READY FOR AMIcABLE SETTLEMENT.
Grand Master Sargent, OF the Fireman's
brotherhood. was shown the report of the
proceedings in the House of Representatives,
in which 1t had been proposed TO send
committee to investigate the Burlington
Railroad strike He said:
You can say for me that we are perfectly
willing that any committee composed of
practical railroad men should examine and
pass upon our demands at any time. We
have been ready at all times to meet the off !
cials of the Chicago. Burlington and Quincy |
Road and settle our grievances in an AMIGA
BILE way. We are not asking them to pay
any more wages than is paid by all the lines
running out of Chicago We are perfectly |
willing 10 have Congressional committee |
examine into the matter and see if they |
can bring about a settlement. This strike is 1
not Of our seeking, but we know that the tie /
mands of the men are just, and we can read
lily convince any intelligent man of that fact /
And should the Burlington officials to-day |
accede to our demands (which are 81 cents /
per mile, passenger service 4 cents per mile, /
freight services GO per cent. of above rates TO /
firemen) the wheels of the entire system will |
be moving in twelve hours.
Chief Arthur said Il heartily indorse
Mr.. Sargeni's words"