The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-11
THE GREAT READING STRIKE
Indications that It Will Be Approved by
the Executive Board of the Knights.
Rumor that the Eight Per Cent. Advance
Would Not Secure Resumption of Work
Unless Ali the ''Scabs" Are Discharged.

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 1o-Delegates repre-
senting District Assembly 129, and subdivisions
II and IA OF the Miners National District AS
sembly and the executive committee of the
Reading railroad employees convention had a
conference with three members of the general
executive board of the Knights of Labor, in this
city, this evening AS majority of the gem
eral board was not present, no official action
could be taken, but the opinion expressed by
the members in attendance after hearing the
railroaders' and miners side of the
that the action OF the employees of
the Reading road in striking was Unsuitable,
in view of the failure of General Superintend-
ent Sweigard to fulfill the agreement which he
entered into with them after Chairman Lee de-
clared the first strike off, The miners strike
was not discussed. The members Of the general
board said it was hardly necessary to consider
it before it comes before the board formally It
was the opinion of the members present that
the miners had good cause for their action. A
meeting of quorum of the board is looked for
tomorrow, when the entire matter will receive
official notice, and such assistance as can be
rendered by that body will be extended to
strikers if their action is approved.
Not car of anthracite coal has passed through
Reading front the Schuylkill regions since noon
to-day. At Cressona forty engines employed in
the coal trade have been housed, besides twice
this number at Reading. Palo Alto and Port
Richmond. AS soon the crews employed in
the coal traffic come in they ordered to re-
port, and told they will be sent for as soon as
needed. This that they will not be
wanted until the mines start up again.
letter dated Pottsvie, received in this city
this evening from Knight of Labor close to
Chairman Lee, says the miners have now
determined not go back, even If they get the
8 per cent. advance; that they and the rail
readers have cast their fortunes together, and
not company mine will resume until all '.scab'
railroaders taken off and those who were
discharged because they were Knights taken on
again. None of the Schuylkill miners have
yet experienced the effect of the strike in fnan-
cial way. There still due them two weeks
pay, which they will receive on Saturday, when
the company Will distribute among the miners
over $780, 000
Over two hundred coal-handlers and one hun
dred stevedores were at work at the Port Rich
mond yards and wharves to-day. Six vessels
were lying at the piers receiving cargoes OF COAL
while severel others receiving carzoes of
merchandise. There was considerable activity
IN the yards and also along the wharves All
the shifting engines were in motion and trains
Of cars loaded with coal could be seen going
hither and thither. The men were all at
work, and no signs of a strike were apparent. The
strikers congregated. as before in the saloons
and cigar stores, and on the street of
fere with the men. Coal continued to como in
at the Port Richmond junction. The company
still has large quantity in the cars and the
wharves. but the demands made upon it have
been unusually heavy. The headquarters of
crowded all day; A messing vas held
the afternoon, but no important business
transacted. The men discussed the strike
and talked about arbitration, but the feeling
was that nothing ought be done until the
general executive board met and took the strike
In hand. The strikers are inclined to believe
that the board would take summary measures.
ood Z hot tho IF TING Oul6 no
conference with the officials of the company,
and, perhaps, a peaceful settlement of the
trouble.
A Shamokin telegram says the Enterprise
Coal Company. and its miners have reached an
agreements. The miners Wilt receive thS8 perl
cent advance and the company agrees to use
Pennsylvania Railroad engines in hauling the
coal. SO that non union men will not handle the
product OF the mine.
The most important action in the strike stu
alton to-day was the formation Of a committee
of the leading mercantile men of Pottsville and
surrounding towns to wait upon President Cor
bin and urge arbitration. President Corbin has
telegraphed his willingness give them
an audience at IL o'clock tomorrow
morning Chairman Davis Secretary Mages
and two others OF the joint committee of
the miners and Knights LETT for Philadelphia
this afternoon, ostensibly to attend the meeting
of the Knights of Labor general executive
board, but incidentally, 1t is limited, inter-
view Presidents Corbin and Keim. All the indi-
vidual operators shipping over the Reading road
are now at work. with three four exceptions.
and the miners strikes upon the coal traffic of
the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company
can be seen at glance in the following state
ment, giving the coal tonnage for the past four
weeks: Week ending Dec IL. 172, 1862 tons; Dec.
"a. 1873 81 tons Dec. 81, 1911 tons; Jan. Z 3d.
COB tons. The decrease for the past week. com
pared with the corresponding week of last year,
was &C, 645 tons.
LOOKING TOWARD COMPROMISE.
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. lot is stated upon
excellent authority, late tonight, that the eff
forts of Messrs. Childs and Drexel towards
bringing about an amicable settlement of the
labor troubles have been so far successful as
to bring about conference between President
Corbin and Master Workman William T. Lewis
of the Miners National District Assembly. The
meeting took place to day. While it is asserted
that nothing definite was accomplished it is be-
lieved another meeting was arranged for to-
morrow
Victory for the Cigar-Makers.
NEW YORK, Jan. 1o.-The first break in the
cigar-makers fight occurred last night. 1t came
from the manufacturers side. The firm of Da-
vid Hirsch & Co., whose men are on strike, no.
tilted the Cigar-makers' Union that it was ready
to take back all the workmen ordered out by the
cigar-makers' union; men would be given
till the 18th inst to return, but
after that date the firm declared
it would fill all vacancies existing with other
help. committee of strikers called on the
firm this evening and agreed to accept the firms
offer An agreement was accordingly drawn up
and signed by Mr.. Hirsch and the strikers COM
mirtee The men will therefore return to work
tomorrow. Mr.. Hirsch is president of the Cigar
Manufacturers Union, and his back-down is
looked upon by the Cigar makers Union a
complete surrender of the Manufacturers Union.
why the Rail Mills Are Idle.
PIrTsBURG. Jan. 10.-On account Of a great
falling IF in the coke shipments within the past
month. the coke operators have been compelled
to close down their ovens two days week to
A e.