Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-04-04
THE BOTTOM FALLING OUT
THE MICHIGAN CENTRAL MEN RE-
 SUME THEIR WORK.

What Agent Morton, of the Burlington,
 Says--$3O,O ,OOO,o ,oOO Worth of Lumber
 Tied Up in Chicago-Lesal Proceedings
 in Order Just Now.
 CHICAGO, April 4-The railroad situation may be summed up as follows:
 Burington-No change from previous re- ports
 from Chicago resumed. Freight transfer partially so. A large number of new hands at work Striking engineers and switchmen in Chicago yards still defiant. In accordance with terms of notice issued by General Man ager Miller, they are considered as discharged from the company's employ.
 Fort Wayne-Engineers and switchmen still out
 Michigan Central, Lake Shore and the Hi nois Central-All quiet. Will handle "Q" freight and no trouble apprehended.
 Rock Island-Firm in it's refusal to handle 70" cars. Its officials were cited to appear before Judge Gresham in the United States for such refusal.
 At a conference of Burlington officials yes terday it was decided that within the ensuing twenty four hours cars should be sent to every road running out of the city. "Wednesday will be decisive day" said General Passenger Agent Morton of the Burlington. ''It will be a day of action. Every road will be rendered our freight and they will either have to fish or cut bait"
 The Burlington people have found an un- expected ally in the lumbermen. There was a secret and prolonged session Of the lumber exchange yesterday. The paralyzing condi- tion of the trade was vigorously discussed. Leading members of the organization pointed 4l,o+ of1 1,,,> was tied up in the city; that the Burlington was doing it's best to raise the blockade, but that it was hampered by other roads, while the striking employees were indirectly using the fact of the blockade as a club to accom- plish their aims.
 The upshot of the gathering was the adop- tion of a resolution deciding to take legal proceedings against every road connected with the Burlington which should hereafter refuse to haul out their lumber and transport it over their lines. A committee was also appointed with full power to take any action which it might think necessary in order to bring the embargo to end. This con- mittee this morning sent a circular to the managers of all the roads leading east and west. It sets forth the action taken by the meeting, and adds that legal proceedings will be instituted under the interstate con- merce law, and without further notice, against every road which refuses to listen to reason.
 The action of the Michigan Central men in returning to work after a strike of seven hours, and that of their own volition and upon the understanding that they would handle all 70" freight offered, was in the nature of bombshell as far as the camps of the Burlington and St. Paul strikers were concerned. They were jubilant over the stand taken by the Michigan Central men, but their joy was turned into mourning and their praises into muttered curses when they learned of the unconditional surrender.
 President Cable, of the Rock Island, said that the return of the Michigan Central men would have good effect. If the railroads, he added, would take & little time and not attempt to force the issue with their en- ployes he thought the strike would gradu- ally go to pieces and the men return to work.
 At the Burlington office the opinion was expressed that the plan which the strikers would next put into effect would be the att tempt to gain public sympathy by calling the strike off on all the roads except the Burlington.