The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-12
THE READIsa STRIKE.
witness Examined ny the ueusc In.
ycstigating Committed.

WASHINGTON, Feb. ll.--Aftcr consider
able delay In securing quorum, the spe-
cial committee Of the House 10 investigate
the Reading railroad strike got to work
shortly after II o'clock this morning.
Mr.. John l.. Lee, Of Philadelphia. a
sympathizer with the railroad strikers, was
the ilnt witness.
In reply TO questions put by Represent.
alive Parker, Mr.. Lee sid that he did no,
consider that there was any strike ON the
Reading railroad-it WINS lockout. Five
crews, no said, refused 10 move cans al
Port Richmond, and General Superintcnd-
cnt swcigart discharged them without Civ.
ing them hearing. There was an agrcc-
mcnt that no men should be discharged
except after a fair hearing. When the
superintendent refused 20 rcinstaio the
men pending hoaringa general going out
followed. Subsequently meeting was
held In Pottsyille and Il was resolved 10
effect settlement Witness and others
went 10 Philadelphia and called upon
Supt Swcigart and made arrangements 10
declare the strike or There was no written
agreement. Mr.. Sweigart WIS asked 20
put the agreement in writing but he ie-
fused and wanted 10 know II they quos.
toned his vcracity. Tho next day Mr..
Swcigart failed 20 live mp to his agreement
and discharged the representative men all
along the line. Tho men went out, ~
there was nothing clsc to do. Sweipari,
when we saw him and asked II he did not
intend 10 live up 10 his agreement Of last
night said that he had changed his mind
Mr.. Ice also said thai kilograms sent 10
men and ordering them back 90 work had
been withheld, aud that he believed the
reason was Tat the railroad wanted an cN-
cuso 20 refuse employment to certain men
II had agreed 10 take back. The result Of
rwciglrts refusal ~ oirry out his agree.
ment was the cause Of the second strike or
lockout.
Referring 10 the trouble nj ElizabethpoH,
y. j., witness said IL WAS due ~ the rc.
fusal Of the men 10 load boat with coal
for Ecklcy Il. Coke, In whose mines there
was a strike, and the men believed the
Reading company was irving 81 aid Coke
In his fight against the strikers. Mr. Lee
went back 10 September last, aud traced
the origin Of tho difllcnliics m the fehiRh
region. lie was not a. that time In the
employ Of the Reading company, but was
q representative u tho labor men. and was
trying 10 fix things in tho bchigh region.
lie went 20 louisville, and called n POINT
meeting oi the labor assemblies involved,
aud a committee WINS sent IN President
Corbin. Tho latter offon,d no compromise,
but threatened punishment 0f the striker
II they did move the coal then ON the ears.
IL was held 10y tlIe strikers that the
Headline, s.s..a. ii 4 ll..l
Coal company In the slanlout against the
employees. Mr.. Corbin was asked TO bring
about q settlement b,iWccn the com.
pany and the men. terlin, together with
Mcleod, Of the railroad andcoal company,
suggested as u remedy D plan bywhich the
~coal market would h. bullod and the
wages Of the striker were 20 be made ~
go up with the price Of coal. This the
strikers refused 20 Accept. Mr.. Corbin,
witness said, did not vant 10 bc known in
The matter Before iho interview with
Mr. Corbin the witncsl bal cndcayorcd 10
get work IN tho Reading shops as a
inacliinist, but was toll that he could not
go 10 work; that lac Was doing more for
the Reading Railroad company in assist
Jug the strikers than twenty-five machin.
lists would ba worth e The company This
strike Is benefit 10 tic Reading Railroad
company, but VIC done Want the public 10
know Il.
He endeavorcd 10 have Mr. Corbin exert
his influence In behalf Ol a settlement be-.
tween the Lchieh operators and the men.
Mr. Corbin told him he dbl not sec Why
there could not 10 settlement lie was
paying the : per cent. advance and the
lnhigh could afford 20 pay Il TOO. Mr..
Corbin said he, rs bnsnoss man, wanted
TO make money, but b. wanted 70 make u
out Of the public. IL would Ike 10 pay
the men good Wages aud the company
wouh lose nothing by H. because coal
would advance aud ilon he would have TO
stand the expense.
General Manager ,NleLcol suggested