The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-17

g'saief arthur Doesntt Understand It.
lSL2fGAeos March I6.-Ths information obtain
able here "a regard 10 the strike OF the Brother
hood engineers and fremen the Atchlson
system, is. as yet very meaere. Vice-president
Smith said this morning that they were still IN
the dark as to the cause OF the mems action, and
that theyswould not decide on any line of action
until they were thoroughly informed of the situ-
alton, both on their own and connecting roads
The superintendent of the Atchison's Cali
fornia lines was notified yesterday that
the Brotherhood men would strike to-day unless
the company absolutely refused to handle
Burlington cars. Mr.. Smith has not yet been
notified as 70 the action of the men on the Gulf,
Colorado & Santa Fe. On the Atchison proper.
the strike appears to be an assured fact. al
though number of trains are still running An
Albuquerque dispatch last night said that a Bos-
ton excursion train and fruit train were
side-tracked there. This, Mr.. Smith says, Is un-
true. information having been received this
morning that the excursion train had not been
interfered with, and that the fruit train
had not yet been delivered to the Atchison COM
pany. The overland express, No. 3, LIT Kansas
City, as usual. this morning, with the regular
engineer in. charge The company will also run
the Usage City accommodation, as usual AT
the Headquarters of the Brotherhood bat little
information has been received from the Atehison
strikers. Cnief Arthur said that he had received
dispatch from Chairman Conroe. He claims
that the cumpany have violated their promise
OF strict neutrality. but gives no particulars.
When questioned regarding the strike on the
Atchison SYSTEM Chief Engineer Arthur said to
q reporter:
1T is altogether beyond my power to give you
any explanation of this action. don't under
stand it. The men have not notified me, and
am comnletely in the dark.
Are you not ordinarily informed OF such
thngsq"
Always; yes sir and this is hat makes the
matter still more unintelligible. | don't under
stand it at ALL" repeated the Chief. "If the
has agreement
with the men, they have done wrong ana must
suffer the consequences.
"Dont you consider this action strang get"
''Ir is nothing less than open rebellion, for it
looks much if either the men were tired OF
the grand officar's advice, or will fully disregard
their duties 70 the laws and the constitution"
Have the ever acted independently or
you. Mr.. Sargent?"
Never; and never have they acted in the past
as they are acting in The present troubles"
The following cony of message sent to Mr.
Couroe chairman of the Atchison grievance
committee. by Chief Arthur. is printed here:
To l. Conroe. hartman, etc.;
1t is reported here that you have ordered the men
to quit work. Revoke it. Your grievance can be
settled here with Mr. Smith. Come 70 Chicago by the
first train. p. M. ARTHUR.
General Superintendent Chase said of the
trouble: II never was more surprised IN nv life
and cannot understand why the men should
give us such black eye. Some time ago. the
engineers got together. made . demand upon
the company, and recelyed nsarly all they want
ed. They went back apparently satisfied
What their grievance is now is beyond my COM
prehension.
Have you been handling 90 freight;'
mo, sir; none at ALL
The Other officials here were equally surprised.
Chief Arthur has received dispatch from
Chairman Conroe, of the grievances COMMITTEES
of the Santa Fe road at Kansas City stating
that the cause of the Brotherhood men on that
road going out was that the Santa Fe had vio-
lated their contract with the men of the
Brotherhood in carrying Burlington freight At
first 2. 600 men went out, bnt afterward about
500 OF the men returned 10 wonk because thew
were working on portion of the road owned
bv the Construction company between Fort
Madison and Kansas City. Chief Arthur
dered Chairman Conroe to come to Chicago at
once