St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-03-15
MAY EXTEND FURTHER
Railroad Officials Fear the
Strike May Be a General
Tie-Up.
| b..
An Important Conference to
Be Held in Chicago
To-Day.
Judge Gresham's Decision and
How 1t Affects the Sit
uatiOn.
The Strike Of the Reading En-
ployes Officially De-
clared Off.

CHICAGO, March IA. - A round
hundred delegates representing the
brotherhood engineers and firemen of
every railroad entering Chicago were
in session to-day nearly eight hours.
When the meeting came to close it
was announced that the enginemen
from each of the roads West, Northwest
and Southwest had formally voted to
''stick by the Burlington men"-that is,
refuse under any circumstances to
handle single Burlington car. This
action had been taken after earnest and
thorough discussion, in which nearly
every delegate present participated di-
rectly-speeches being limited to five
minutes each. The delegates from the
Eastern roads did not come to vote at
the general meeting and went into
session this evening separately to dis
cuss among themselves the matter III
all its bearings, Their decision will be
reported to another general meeting to
be held tomorrow morning. 1t Is not
understood that the
ACTION OF THE WESTERN MEN
necessarily
the railroads in the West. That plan
was advocated by some of the men in
the meeting to-day as the method which
would most surely bring the matter to
an end quickly. an d thus rebound more
as benefit than detriment to the
public. The idea was disapproved, but
the majority against it was very narrow.
INDIGNANT
methods could be found to secure the
end in view without striking. The del
egates from Eastern roads are not by
any means as aggressive as their West
ern brethren. How far their action
will coincide with that of the Western
men will probably best be known after
the joint meeting tomorrow. The
anxiety among the representatives of
the railroads deepens as the
UNCERTAINTY OF THE SITUATION
increases. They hope that the conser-
vative influences under Mr.. Arthur
may prevail over the radical forces and
prevent a general strike. If that ca
famity should befall they would hold
the Chicago, Burlington IL Quincy rail
road responsible for it rather than the
brotherhood, for which organization
they have a feeling of respect. The
situation as regard to that road was out
lined tonight by prominent official
who was i'll consultation with
others during the day.
He said: The Chicago, Burlington
q Quincy railroad company is respon-
sible wholly for the decentralization of
rates in the Northwest as well as for the
strike. The building of the Burlington
Il Northern by officers of the Chicago.
Burlington 81 Quincy was stroke at
other roads as well as an imposition on
the stockholders of the latter. 1t
is not necessary to point out
the interests of few men in
the result of general decentralization
1t is apparent to all familiar with rail
road business. On this account there is
little sympathy with the Chicago, Bur-
lington q Quincy Railroad company at
present"
''What," asked the reporter. sis the
quickest way of ending this striker"
The railroad officer said in reply
that sit could be brought to speedy
close if the other roads would combine
and serve notice on the Chicago, Bur-
lington IL Quincy that they had done so
for the protection of the business inter
eStS of the country, as we'll as for the
protection of their own interests. The
fact is, there is great danger to the
whole country in the present situation.
If there should be
A GENERAL STRIKE
everything would be paraliZed, and if
the brotherhood should be destroyed a
great danger would threaten the country
which, perhaps, few have thought of.
For years the organization of the broth
erhood has stood as a conservative ele-
ment amidst the agitation throughout
the country. 1t has denounced that
most cowardly weapon used by
the Knights of Labor, the boycott"
and has rendered in this
very important service to society.
Now suppose the brotherhood under
Chief Arthur is defeated in this contest,
and either the radical element gain per-
manent control, or the organization is
broken into fragments, what will be the
almost certain result? The boycotting
organizations will gain recruits from
the engineers and tiremen, and
there will be no longer a con-
sentative labor organization in
the country to resist radicalism.
1t is question whether the other rail-
road companies can afford to have the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy succeed
in this contest. Certainly the country
is in the presence of great danger"
The reporter asked if there was like
lihood of the companies combining.
The officer replied that he could not
say. eff they had the courage of their
convictions they would, and GOULD
speedily settle the difficulty"