The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-12
THE STATUS OF THE STRIKE
4 Conference of Grievance Committees
of Eastern Roads To Be Held To-Day,
But It Is Not Believed the Strike Will Be
Extended East Of Chicago-Action of q New
York Convention Of Brotherhood Men.
sDecial 70 the 1ndianarolis JoBrna,.

Special the 1ndianar oils Journal
CHICAGO, March 1f.-Within the next TWEEN
ty-fcur hours there viii be joint conference in
this city of the grievance committees Of every
road leading eastward from Chicago. Teie-
graphic orders TO tts effect were sent out from
the brotherhood he sdquarters late last night,
and the dispatches received to day indicate that
the response will DO general. The conference
has been called TO consider the existing condf-
ton of affairs and tae steps, if any, that should
be taken by the men of the Eastern roads to aid
the Burlington strikers. The decision of Judge
Gresham in the Wabash case will naturally have
much to do in deciding the question. huGthere
is . very strong feeling that corserv-
alive views will obtain and that no rad
ical action will be resolved upon. Conver-
safions with several of the Panhandle, Lake
Shore and Fort Wayne men who came in this
afternoon indicate that they are strongly in
clined the opinion that the Burlin gton strikers
can be more yeffectually aided in other directions
than by general strike. At the same time the
vexed question of the handling OF Burlington
freight by other roads remains unsettled, and it
is recognized that the issue must be met before
many days. There very good grounds for
the statement that in the event of the Wabash
case being decided in favor of tbs Burlington,
every other road that declines to exchange
traffic, commencing with the Rock Island,
and in that event even the conserva-
tive elements of the Brotherhood may be
compelled to acquiesce in radical measures
in order to the organizations from openly
concedina their defeat 1t is pretty certain. s
at any rate, that the coming week will see i'm
portant developments in one direction or
other. Either the men or the road will make
advances leading up to q settlement. or the
strike viii be extended, or the trouble will be
left indefinitely in statu quo and the strikers
put upon the payroll OF the Brotherhood until
something turns up. Even the most eiftnusi-
astic Burlington men now concede that all the
sensational features of the trouble have 'disap-
peared, and that If nothing Is done
to restore the previous white heat
to look upon the cause as lost There were
fewer visitors ut Brotherhood headquarters to-
day, and Chief Arthur took advantages of the
fact to catch up with his correspondence He
was in q cheerful mood and insisted that
ultimate victory was assured. rumor reached
headquarters. during the evening that the Chi
cago 81 Northw western odacials would issue an
order in the morning compelling its employessto
handle Burlington freight Although It came
from good authority. however, IL gained no
credence
Although the Wabash hearing will be resumed
in the United States Circuit Court tomorrow
afternoon, it is not thought decision will be
rendered until TUESDAY or w GQH6SQaV, at 1GASL
Chief Arthur was taking his Sunday rest this
afternoon. apparently COOL collected snd happy
when interrupted by reporter with the query:
'sWell Mr.. Arthur what have you got TO say of
the decision rendered by the Railroad Commits
sioners of IowaE'
II think the decision of the Iowa Commissions
ers has been eminently fair and impartial" was
the reply Then he added. after moments
pause: II also believe that the letter of Gov.
Larrabee, of Iowa, to Presidents Perkins, or the
Burlington. will ne commended by the business
and travelling public, not only in Iowa, bat
throughout the country The Governor OF Iowa,
after thorough investigation, has found that
there is something to arbitrate, the Burlington
officials to the contrary Notwithstanding and
has advised the President of Ehe"Q accordingly.
As TO the situation having been narrowed down
TO a game OF freeze-out." continued DIR. Arthur,
celebrating as he spoke. lit remains to be seen
how long the directors and stockholders will
sustain the present bankrupt policy of the ex-
listing management of the Burltngton-a bank
rupt policy with sufficient For our
part, we are confident that the Brotherhood can
be willing to sanction. Our advices are that
hut 30 per cent of the usual local
business is being done, and no
through business. The Burlington members
of the Brotherhood will be sustained and
supported by the entire organization just as
long as the men wish or require help. and that is
certainly longer than the O. can go without
their through freight or fast passenger trains
Not single man of the Brotherhood has de-
serted said the chief with evident pride, sand
I predict that they will not clause in our
rules demands the dismissal of any engineer
found intoxicated, whether or off duty, and
that he be reported TO the officers of the road
unsafe man to employ Another. clause
provides that when man applies for member
ship he must be examined by a committee
of three from the lodge he applies to,
and unless he is an engineer OF one
years practical experience. not
addicted TO the use of Intoxicating liQaoFe.
and man of otherwise good character, he will
not be accepted During the past fourteen years
not single Brotherhood engineer has ever de-
serted his engine without using every possible
precantion 70 save the lives of his passengers.
and the public well know how many havesdied
at their posts of duty. attribute this remark
able record to the fact that these men are and
must be sober skilled, moral intelligent--men
of nerve and principle. In all this, the great
public has been benefited during the past
twenty-five years. during the life of the oEgani-
cation have only to say that the nerve of
these men has and will be demonstrated il this
g strike"