Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-19
4 CONFERENCE HELD.
Brotherhood Officials aud Railroad Anth0ri
ties Confer at Chicago.

ties Confer at Chicago.
CHICAGO, July 16.-A conference was
held this afternoon at the office of the
Burlington road, at which the road was
represented by President Perkins, Vice
president Deasley, General Manager
Stone, Writ Dexter and j. W. Bly,. The
other side was represented by Chief
Arthur, OF the locomotive engineers,
Chief Sargent, of the locomotive
firemen and Alexander Sullivan, their
counsel. The arrival in Chicago of ar
thur and Sargent was kept secret until
the conference was over. Chairmen
Hoge and Murphy were also present. The
officials of the two brotherhoods assured
the railroad men that they had no syn-
pathy with the dynamiters. At the con-
ference the strike and situation as
it Affected the public and parties to
this struggle, was discussed. All agreed
that it would be we'll if the strike could
be ended. President Perkins was seen
after the conference, and said that moth
ing was definitely settled settled. Neither
Mr.. Arthur or Mr.. Sargent could be
found after the conference. Touch
ing the meeting, Chairman Hoge
said to an Associated Press
reporter: propositions were sub
mitted by both sides to the contra
controversy, looking toward settlem ent
of the strike. What these propositions
were an not at liberty to state. They
have not taken tangible form and will
not until another conference is held in
few days"
Mr.. Hoge then showed the reporter
telegram which was sent from Daven-
port to F. w. Gould and which read as
follows:
"Owing to certain events the men at
this point decide that we had better
adopt extreme measures"
''This is only one of many kilograms of
similar nature" said the chairman,
(which have reached here to day. This
one is addressed to Chairman Gould, of
the Rock Island grievance committee,
and shows which way the wind is blow
ing" He also said that q general meet
ing OF the chairmen of the grievances
committees of nearly every line running
out of Chicago would be held this week,
at which action will be taken to resent
the wholesale arrests and persecution
which have occurred IN Chicago during
the past ten days.
"What does the writer of the dispatch
mean when he speaks of extreme meas
ures?" was then asked.
"That remains to be seen. It NAV
mean strike on the road represented or
it may mean boycott of the Burlington
which would eventually terminate in
strike. The meeting will decide the ques-
ton"
"Do you think there will be strike? ''
''Well the men on the GranG Trunk,
Rock island g. Northwestern, among
others, are very sore over these arrests
and will certainly speak in no uncertain
tones when the time comes. They Go
not believe in dynamite neither Go they
believe IN prosecutions"
"Will this meeting have the power 20
declare a strike without the sanction Of
Chief Arthur"
eyes sir, and they will do it if neces-
ssry. The support of Arthur is only for
It's moral and financial effect, If any one
of the systems conclude to strike and
Arthur refuses to sanction the move, We
receive no support from the brotherhood.
But at the same time the chairman of any
system can declare strike on that sys-
tenn, provided tie brotherhood employed
there desire it."