The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-24
MORE TROUBLE FOR THE 20"
The SWitchmen Employed by the Bur-
lington Railway Inaugurate Strike.
There Is Reason TO Think They Will Shortly
Be Joined by the Brakemen-They Claim
the New Engineers Are Incompetent.

CHIoA GO. March 23-At exactly II o'clock to-
night strike was inaugurated among the
switchmen employed by the Chicago, Burliug-
ton & Quincy road Whispers of such a move
have becn heard ever since the beginning of the
strike of the Burlington engineers and fremeu
Not until the past few days, however, did the
rumors assume tangible shape. Verifcatons of
the reports lacking, and to-day
the Importance attached to the
matter had dwind1ed almost to nothing.
The inactivity at the headquarters of the engin-
and fremen all day and evening was SO
noticeable as to cause the remark that 1t was
studied, but no outsider, it is safe to say sus-
pected the surprise that was in store. Owing to
the unexpeetedness of the event the exact de-
tails of the situation were difficult TO obtain. The
general impression was that the strike was gen.
eral over the entire Burlington system. and would
include the brakemen. A basis for this eupposi-
ton lay in the fact that emissaries from
Chicago and elsewhere are known to have been
at work among the switchmen and brakemen
along the entire line of the road for some time
past Considerable active sympathy has been
engineers and dremen. and in addition the plea
OF self-protection has frequently been entered
The plea was that the swtchmen and brakemen
were in constant danger to life and limb from
the alleged ncompetency of the engineers and
hremen who have taken the places of the Bur-
ington members of the Brotherhood.
The inauguration of the strike was celebrated
by rousing mass-meeting under the auspices
of the Brotherhood at West Twelfth street.
Turner Hall. Everybody but railroad men were
excluded from the meeting. Guards were
posted at the doors and the stairways
leading to the hall to challenge all
strangers who attempted to gain admission
to the meeting. The announcement that the
switchmen of the Chicago. Burlington &
Quincy road were IN full sympathy with the
striking engineers and fremen, and had decided
to stand by them, greeted with roars of
applause. kilograms from points along the
line were to the effect that the switchmen
united In sentiment and would go out promptly
at the hour designated. The meeting lasted
men to quit work.
At midnight the 80 switchmen employed in
the yards, many OF them as were on duty
at that time, picked up their lanterns and
walked away from the tracks. There was no
noise no confusion They gathered in little
groups, and were joined by their comrades from
more distant parts of the yards. dis
cussing the situation with more less
warmth, and making their way to the Twelfth
street hall. where the meeting at which Ii was
finally decided to strike still in progress
Not switchman refused to obey the order. but
each willingly threw up his place and joined
forces with the striking engineers and fremen.
The effects of the strike were illustrated at
once upon two locomotives that were
out on the tracks switching cars
III the vicinity of Sixteenth and Canal
streets. Both were compelled opera
tions at The switchmen, after the strike,
were mum before. except to intimate that
they had assurances that mono of the many
Knights of Labor among the engineers and
fremen on the Burlington would work with
union switchmen.