The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-06-27
MAILS DON'T GO.
Nothing Goes on the Illinois
Central Railway.
A TIE-UP FROM LAKE TO GULF

Threatened Unless the Company Fires
Mr.. Russeil-why the Mail Train Did
Not Leave Chicago-A Disputed Point
as to Responsibility-Conf he
tween the Strikers and Superintendent
sullivan-Russell's Defense of His Course
No Compromise.
| CHICAGO, June 2.-Monday afternoon
| 1000 conductors, switchmen and brake
men in the employ of the Illinois Central
quit work, owing to the announced in
tention of Superintendent Russell to dis
miss Trainmaster Berry and his assistant,
Irwin T.. Pushie Mr.. Berry and Mr..
Pushie heard of this, and going to head
quarters learned that the story was true.
They thereupon promptly resigned. The
news spread rapidly through the yards
and aroused the switchmen and trainmen
to such pitch of indignation that they
Immediately decided to quit work. Super
intendent Russell has repeatedly given
offense. it is alleged, by promoting his ia
vorites over the heads of old employees, and
the men were all the more ready to strike
and remain out until such time as Super
intendent Russell should be dismissed
from the service of the company
CHICAGO, June 25.-Up to late hour
last night there was no change in the
strike situation on the Illinois Central.
The strikers are firm and confident, and
scout the idea of any overtures on their
part to the company. Grand Master Will
Ia Al of
is here, and the strikers expect him to
order out the men on all divisions of the
road. The whole system will then be tied
up, from Chicago to New Orleans. The
railroad management say they expect the
men, on sober afterthought, to return
to work, and are making no en-
deavor to fill their places Suburbanites
in thousands flocked home on crowded
cable cars yesterday, and 10000 people are
disconnected.
Mail Trains Not Running.
The strikers told General Manager Beck
yesterday morning: "There is only one
car that can go out, Mr.. Beck" said they,
"and that is the mail car We want it
distinctly understood that we are not
stopping the mails"
1t was then about $780, The st. Louis
express, which is scheduled to leave the
city at $40, had been standing on the
track for over an hour. At $40 the start
ing signal had been given the engineer.
The train did not move
~ can't get out of the yards" said the
engineer. "The switches are all turned"
A Point of Importance.
Who is stopping the mail trains? is
question that may have an important
bearing on the strike. Superintendent
Sullivan appeared on the scene about $3.50
a. IN. Immediately he was surrounded by
a crowd of trainmen and switchmen.
During the conference with the superin-
tendent others uncoupled the mail car
from the remainder of the st. Louis ex-
press. The train crews box was lifted
from the baggage car to the rear platform
of the mail car The bell cord was fastened
to the handle of the box. The air-brake
valve was closed. The rubber hose fastened
to the rear railing A man then sign&led
to Striker Cole, one of the leaders, who
was talking to Superintendent Sullivan.
"That mail train is ready to leave" Mr..
said Mr.. Cole.
"The mail cannot go without the rest of
the traip," came the answer.
Now Who Is Stopping the Mails?
"Well, we want it distinctly understood
that we are not stopping the United States
mails"
"But you are stopping the mails. We
have no contract with the government to
run mail trains. Our contract is to carry
mail on regular passenger trains. You
will not let the passenger trains out. So |
you are stopping the mails. We are pow
erless"
"Oh, pshaw, Mr.. Sullivan, the engineer |
Of that train says he has orders not to go |
out"
"He has orders not to go until his train |
Is ready. 1t is not ready, for it is not |
coupled. If the passenger and baggage |
cars are coupled on it can go out"
mo, sir, no passenger trains can go |
out."
Horse of Another Color.
The men were determined that Superin-
tendent Russell must go. II have told |
you," said Mr.. Sullivan to the proposition |
hat Mr. Russell be Immediately removed, |
that should not act without an investi-
cation first. You yourselves complain be-
,ause your associates were discharged
without an investigation. Would you
nave me discharge Mr.. Russell in the same
vayS" The Illinois Central, it is stated,
will not discharge Superintendent Russell
t is claimed that they use him for such
work as has brought upon him the odium
# the men, but which is not derosatory to
ais character in the least.