The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-05
READY TO JOIN THE STRIKE
Engineers on indianapolis Roads Offer
C.,B. go. Brethren Encouragement.
And Give Assurance to Chief Arthur that
They Are Willing to Meet Any De-
mand That He May Wish to Make.

There are some reasons for believing that
less the locomotive engineers strike on the Chi
cago Burlington IL Quincy railroad is settled by
the end of another week il will extend to In
dianapolis, and perhaps, all over the country.
The testimony of half dozen OF the old aud
most reliable engineers who run trains roads
entering Indianapolis. who were seen by Jour
nal reporter last night was to the effect that
they would not be surprised to receive orders to
go out at any time. and theya all ready to
obey the COMMAND.
In accordance with an order sent out by Chief
Arthur requesting all the Western divisions of
the Brotherhood to send delegate Chicago
to attend conference to be held to-day. meet
ing of Division No. IL was called for yesterday
afternoon by Chief Engineer W. w. Rsvel. In
pursuance Of the call very large meeting was
held in the Brotherhood's hall at the
corner OF Delaware and Market streets The
strike was thoroughly discussed, and resolutions
passed indorsng it; proffering all help needed,
and agreeing to stand ready to meet any demand
that might be made by Chief Arthur. Lon
Thomas was appointed as delegate TO
go to Chicago and represent the division
in the conference. He was instructed to
carry 20 the striking brothers the information
that the engineers Of Indianapolis Division, rep
resenting sixteen roads, were in full sympathy
with their cause. and were ready to assist them
in any way desirable. Before adjournment the
following message was Endorsed and forwarded
by telegraph.
Chief Arthur. Grand Pacific Hotel. Chicago:
Indianapolis Division, No. IL Brotherhood of Loco.
motiYe Engineers representing sixteen lines of roads,
sends greeting Stand firm I We are ready to meet
Mr.. Thomas the delegate selected, left for
Chicago last night, at 1l:20 o'clock, over the c.,
l., St L. 81 c. road He was seen at the depot
by a Journal reporter but he refused to talk
about the object of his visit
do you expect any trouble here2" was asked.
81 don't think there will be any," said he.
Nothing has been done yet to indicate that
there will be-"
DO you know for what purpose you are
called TO ChicagoF
Il do not know that do.
do you expect anything to develop while you
are there"
Something may. If there is anything can
divulge and 1t is of importance to the Indian
apolis Division, 1 will telegraph here at once
and you get It'll"
How long do you expect to be gomez
II expect to get through in THE to get back
tomorrow night"
"Quire number of engineers think that in
case the connecting roads insist handling c.,
B. & Q. freight there will be trouble" suggested
the reporter.
'.There may be something in that" said Mr..
Thomas.
into and leaving the depot between
1890 and -l1:3O o'clock. but the majority
of them were very reticent about what they
were anticipating. The opinion was unanimous
| that the cause of the strikers just. and that
they would receive the support Of every mem Der
of the Locomotive Brotherhoodsin the country.
William NJ. Fletcher. who took out the fast
train on the l., ID. & s. road Ii o'clock, said
that he would not be surprised to be called out
at any time. IF We are called out" said he sit
will be because the roads insist handling
O., B. d @. freight passengers. If the
Meeting roads attempt to do either, their en-
DIN gill haO I'd sp.Af cn xrop II &c
tain. / hardly know how general strlke
be averted. The c.. b and @. road will
donbtless secure enough engineers to handle
some freight and PASSENGERS II y few days, and
then the connecting roads will De compelled
under agreements to handle the freight and
passengers. When that stage is reached the
only hope the Brotherhood men will have of
winning will be to order tns off the
Meeting r-s'.s If the the connecting
ordered the strike will then
e sAeiIy become general"
me engineer the L.. B. & w. who went
out on the fast mail at IL o'clock had much the
same views as MIR. Fletcher. The engineers
all over the country are In sympathy with the
C., B. x y men, said he. and the strike will
be won If every member of the Locomotive
brotherhood goes ont | am a member of the
Illinois Division. and / know the
earnest over there. they are here. We have
got the money to carry on a long warfare,
and | wouldn't be surprised to the
c.. B. 81 @ men win immediately if they begin
ordering out men on connecting roads The
Knights of Labor the greatest enemy We
have to compete with. think they have shown
that they do not have the interests of the work
ingmen at heart, by furnishing engineers to the
c., B & Q. There are many inequalities on the
Indianapolis roads that ought to be righted,
but l do not believe they will have any
thing TO do with being ordered out For
instance. both the engineer my left, Big
Four man, and the one my right, Vandala
line man, receive three and one-half cents per
mile. while / receive but three cents. I am
older than either of them, and have been in the
business for twenty years Il is all we'll enough
to talk about us being we'll paid but l tell you
none of us are treated as we should ben