The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-12-25
SC0TLAND'S BIG STRIKE.
THE COMPANIES AND THE MEN
BOUND TO FIGHT IT OUT.

Coal Goes Up at Glasgow to the Dis
may of the Poor - The City Also
Threatened With Gas Famine--Po-
lice Held in Readiness for the Coming
of Darkness.
GLASGOW, Dec. 24.-There are no signs
of Improvement in connection with the
railroad strike in Scotland. II is estimated
that about 900 men are now out on strike
and the business may be said TO be at q
standstill. On the North British lines traf-
tic Is suspended, while the others are work.
ing in an irregular manner. Business peo-
pie residing in the suburbs are Obliged to
walk from their out-of-town residences
TO the city, thereby suffering
much Inconvenience. In and about Glas-
gov the price of coal has already advances
shillings per ton, with the prospects OF o
still further advance in price before long.
GAS FAMINE IMMINENT.
In addition TO the coal trouble, which seri-
ously affects the poorer class already. it 10
said that a gas famine is imminent and the
police are already taking steps to provide a
force Of special cons.ables TO guard the city
In case the supply of gas should give out
and the city be plunged into total darkness
at night All the ship building yards and
public works are without fuel, and they ex-
pect to be forced 70 close their doors unless
the strike is settled within very shors
time
Strong detachments OF police are guard-
ing the railroad depots, which are sur
rounded by crowds OF strikers accompanied
by their wives and families, who jeer aud
laugh at the bungling efforts OF the rail-
road porters, sweepers, clerks and others
who have been pressed into the service
N tha
which the railroad officials manage TO dis
patch.
STRIKERS TO BIZ PRosECUTED.
An important meeting of tho board of
directors of the North British Railway
Company has been held. After the meeting
adjourned it was announced that the conn
pany had determined to prosecute the
strikers to the fullest extent of the
law. No trouble or expense, it is
added, will be spared by the company
In its efforts to obtain redress for what is
classed as an nunwarranted Interference with
its business. The North British directors
have also resolved to completely close their
railroad lines rather than yield to the de-
mands OF the strikers.
STRIKERS ENRAGED.
The strikers have been considerably en-
ragged by the announcement made to-day
that the railroad officials refuse TO pay the
may now DO duo to them. This action,
accordingly to tho railroad officials, Is
taken upon legal advice, pending decision
from the courts as TO the validity of the con-
tracts existing between the company and
its employees. This step is generally re-
garded as a most arbitrary proceeding upon
the part of the railroad authorities, and is
| also said to be probably an illegal one. In
any case, greatly increases tho public sym
pathy for the strikers
FEARS OF VIOLENCE.
It is also thought that this action upon
the part of the railroad company may ex-
cite the strikers to acts of violence The
Northeastern Railroad Company board OF
directors has also held meeting 1t is un-
derstood that these directors are trying to
arrange for q conference between them
selves and a committee representing the
strikers, in the hope that some understand
ing may be arrived at by which the strike
can be terminated, so far as the Northeast
ern railroad is concerned.
A MEETING AT EDINBURaH.
EDINBURGH, Dec. pa meeting Of the
railroad strikers of this neighborhood was
held here to-day. Pickets reported that the
strike continued TO extend In all directions,
and 1t was resolved to continue the struggle
until the demands of the men were granted.
The police are taking precautions to protect
the railroad property.
AN UNDERGROUND STATION CLOSED.
Tho North British company has entirely,
closed its underground station here, and IL
is understood that it will remain closed
until the dispute with the strikers is settled
Placards announcing that promotion and
advancement await the men who are loyal
to the company, and setting forth an offer,
10 reinstate the strikers in their old pcsi~
| tions, are posted conspicuously. The strik-
l ax.A~ IA
They hired number Of brass bands to-day
and paraded the streets.
A LOCAL LINE CLOSED.
The Leith and Edinburgh local line has
been closed. Passenger traffic Is irregular
on the main lines and freights are at a,
standstill. Only one-fourth of the usual
amount Of Christmas eve freight business IL,
being done, and the loss to the railway
companies will be enormous. At va
era held tonight they resolved to
stand firm. They have.issued a manifesto
demanding a ten hour day and so per cent.
extra pay for Sunday work. 10 Is estimated
that 1900 persons are now out. Work at
most Of the coal pits in Lanarkshire has
been stopped in consequence OF the strike.
FRuITLEss EFFORTS FOR PEACE.
John Leng. member of parliament for.
Dundee. and other prominent men, have
about settlement Of the strike.
The strikers refuse 30 submis
the questions in dispute to arbitration. The
Greenock trades council has resolved to
support the strikers. There is almost an
entire absence of intimidation, but the COM
panies' efforts TO stop the posting Of pickets
are futile.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
The postal service continues notwith-
standing the strike Of the railway men, but
in many places the mails are only delivered
at rare intervals.
In many workshops and factories work
has been suspended a week earlier than
usual. IL Is believed that besides the rail-
way men that over 5000 workmen
are indirectly affected by the
strike. The Caledonian company has
issued circular warmly thanking the men
who have remained loyal and promising 70
reward them for their services. This com
pany has given up its attempt 10 continue
transporting freight and IL deyotiBg its
whole attention 20 securing the best possible
passenger service.