Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-25
aTHE GREAT STRIKE
OF TEE RAILROAD EMPLOYEES ON TIE SCOT
LAND ROADS
The Directors Take Action, Which Increases The
Strikers and Attracts the Sympathy Of the
PsOpls-A Fuel Famine is in Sight.
Other Foreign News.

GLASGOW, December 24.-There are
no signs of Improvement in connection
with the railroad strike in Scotland.
1t is is estimated that about 900 men
are now out on strike, and business
NAV be said TO be entirely at stand
STILL
On the North British lines traffic has
been suspended, while others are work
ing in an irregular manner. The bnsi-
ness people residing in the suburbs are
obliged to walk from their out-Of-town
residences to the city, thereby suffering
much Inconvenience.
In and about Glasgow the price OF coal
has already advanced V shillinss per
ton, with the prospect of a still further
advance in price before long. In addi-
tion the coal trouble, which seriously
affects the poorer classes already, it is
said that gas famine is imminent and
the police are taking steps to provide a
force of special constables to guard the
city. All the shipbuildng yards and
public works are without fuel, and they
expect to be forced TO close their doors
unless the strike Is settled within a very
short time.
Strong dctachmonts of police are
guarding the railroad depots, which are
surrounded by crowds Of strikers, ac
companied by their wives and families,
who jeer and laugh at the bungling eff
sorts of the railroad porters, lampmen,
Sweepers, clerks and others who have
been pressed into the service, new to
them, of making up and running the
few trains which the railroad officials
manage TO send out.
An important meeting OF the Board
of Directors OF the North British Rail-
way company has been held. After the
meeting adjourned 1t was announced
that the company had determined to
prosecute the strikers to the fullest eX
tent of the law. No trouble or expense,
it is added, will be spared by the com
pany in it's efforts to obtain redress for
what is claSsed as an unwarrantcd inter-
ference with its business.
The North British directors have
also resolved to completely close their
railroad lines rather than yield to the
strikers.
The strikers have been considerably
cnraged by the announcement made to-
day that the railroad officials refuse to
pay the strikers any portion OF the
wages which may now be due to them.
This action, according to the railroad
officials. is taken upon legal advice,
pending a decision from the courts as to
the validity of the contracts existing
between the company and its employees.
This step is generally classed as being a
most arbitrary proceeding on the part
of the railroad authorities and is also
said to be probably an Illegal one. In
any case it increases public sympathy
for the strikers. 1t is also thought that
this action on the part of the railroad
company may excite the strikers to
deeds of violence.
The North British Company has en-
tirely enclosed its underground station
here, and it is understood that it will
remain closed until the dispute with the
strikers is settled. PiacardS announc-
ing that promotion and advanced pay
will be given to thl men who are loyal
to the company a,ai setting forth an
offer to rcinstatc the strikers in their
old positions are posted. The strikers,
however. maintain Il defiant attitude.
They hired a number of brass bands
to-day and paraded the streets.