The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-03
TALK OF A RAILROAD STRIKE
Chairman Cavener Says the Burlington
Must the BrotherhOod's Demands,
And Very Strongly Hints That General
Strike Will Follow a Refusal-Grand Chief
Arthur Declines to Commit Himself

CHICAGO, Jan. "A. X. Cavener, chair
man of the general grievance committee OF
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers,
which is in the city meeting with officials
of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy road,
said TO a reporter last night: MANY of tho
statements made recently have been erro-
neous. The Brotherhood men were never
so enthusiastically in favor of continuing
the support of the strikers as at present
The support will continue indefinitely. un-
less the strike be declared off, Again, there
is no dissatisfaction with Chief Arthur's
management of the strike. He was ham,
pered by the inadequacy of our
laws, and for that reason, and in
order that we might be able to rise
to the exigencies of the case, this commit
tee, of which am chairman, was appointed
by the Richmond convention. This general
grievance committee represents not onSy
the $4,000 railway engineers, but as many
more men in other organized bodies in rail-
way lines. 1t was empowered to act with
out being required to report back to tho
grand officers or to any other body. The
strikers do not feel disposed TO be kicked.
now that they are down. We come TO the
Burlington, bringing in our hands the olive
branch of peace. We do not ask for much,
but what little we do demand is just and
right and should be conceded"
"Supposng that the Burlington should
refuse to make any concessions whatever
"Then." said Cavener, without moments
iOus trouble
ION other roads,
Yes
why should they be implicated in the
troubled"
I'VE can prove by unimpeachable author
ity that the Burlington engineers are being
prescribed and blacklisted by roads gener-
ally supposed to be friendly toward them.
We have consulted the best legal author
| ity.n said Mr. Cavener. land know iust
what we can do and obey the laws, and we
are not afraid of any State prisons, county
| jails or conspiracy laws. / say it in all
seriousness that If the Burlington road
does not agree to our reasonable PROPOSE
| ton, the Brotherhood will at once COM
| mence the struggle, and it will never sur
render. We know just what our resources
| are and the country, far and wide, Will
hear from us In very decided way If the
meeting tomorrow does not result in har-
mony."
| What will the Brotherhood dogp
| hat am not prepared to say, but. as
said, it will be as radical move as was
ever made by labor organization"
Lit is understood that the counsel employed
| by the brotherhood is Robert q. Ingersoll.
Mr. Cavener Is III constant communication
| with Chief Arthur and the chairman OF tho
| local branches of the order along the diff
| ferent Western and Southwestern roads.
| and the instant a decision is given the word
| will be passed along the lines
| The Journal says on this subject: IF the
| statement of the company, that il Is operat-
| mglt lines In manner satisfactory To
| itself and its patrons. is correct, II has
| seemingly nothing to gain or lose by such
| action. The governing officials certainly
| express but little anxiety on the subject.
| The Brotherhood, however, is exceedingly
DESTROYS for the war to end. in order that
| the enormous drain upon its treasury may
cease, and many of the strikers find employ
| mentn
1t was understood the conference be-
tween the 20" officials and the committee
| representing the engineers w9uld be re-
| sumed to-day, but the event was postponed
| until tomorrow. Vice-president Stone and
| General Manager Ripley were so swamped
| with business incident TO the opening of
| the new year that, at their request. the fur
| ther discussion of the strike was deferred.
/! No hint could be obtained from them as To
| whether they had decided to accept or re-
ject the proposed compromise Chairman
| Cavener, of the engineers, seemed conf
dent notwithstanding his apparently az
gressive expressions, that the whole mat
ter would be settled amicably tomorrow.