Wichita eagle., 1888-03-20
cure settlement of the controversy you
submit the case to arbitration.
Very respectfully,

cure a settlement of the controversy YOU
submit the case to arbitration
Very respectfully,
w. LARRABEE.
Mr.. Perkins in reply is as follows:
BURLINGTON, IA, March IA, 1888.
Hon. VIM. Larrabee. Governor of Iowa. Des Moines
Mr.. Dear Sir-I have to acknowledge
March 10, sent to me at Chicago l regret
that our course should give any
cause of complaint and I assure
you that no amount of labor and
expense has been spared by us to correct
as rapidly as possible any shortcomings
due to the sudden action of our engineers
and firemen two weeks ago. If communi-
ties or individuals have been damaged
thereby we stand ready to make payment
In full where we are liable, and / shall
esteem it a favor if you will kindly trans
nit to me statement of all complaints
which have been or may hereafter be
brought to your attention, in order that
we may endeavor to render satisfaction in
each case. 1t is not necessary for me to
say that when men so essential to the
operation of a railroad as locomotive engi-
neers all, or nearly all, leave the service on
less than twenty-four hours notice their
places cannot be filled at once. We have
succeeded, however in so far filling them
that we now have in Iowa about 81 per
cent of the number of employees prior to
February 81, to which we are daily making
additions. While Is or 50 per cent will
probably be quite sufficient for the present
demands of bushes. Owing to large number
OF men out of employment, to the loyalty
see all courage and hard work of the men
who remained with us in all branches of
our organization to the positive stand
taken by the newspapers and to the
patience and good nature of the
yNr,l liz frny rhnr,N hnx-n v,,.l
many marks of encouragement we have re-
covered more rapidly than at the begin
ming we though possible. Your letter
suggests the question of our employing
the men whose voluntary action in leaving
us was the cause or whatever Inconvenience
the public has suffered. This was a serious
and important matter and one to
which we gave the most careful considera-
ton. Much could be said on both sides
but our conclusion up to this time has been
that we would not close the door to the re-
turn of so many of them as we may have
work for. Very few, however. have taken
advantage of this opportunity and our new
men, who are competent, and of good
character will, of course, be retained if
they like to stay in the service. Very res
pectfully your obedient servant,
G. +. PERKINS, President.
Governor Larrabee's answer is as fol-
lows:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
Dies MONIES, March 16, 1888.
G. E. Perkins, ESQ.,, Burlington, Iowa
DEAR SIR:-I am in receipt of your letter
of the 14th inst, and | am glad to hear
that the present situation affords hope
that the regularity in operation of
your lines will soon be re-
established. In compliance with your
request | shall take pleasure in forward
ing to you any claim of damages that may
in future be brought to my attention
While the Inconvenience caused to the
public by the present strike has been the
subject of much complaint, my interced
ence to recover damages has thus far not
been requested. Yours respectfully,
WIN. LARRABEE.