Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-26
DOWNEY GOES HOME.
Railroad Switchmen Cannot Make a
New Move Until Monday.
THE SUPREME COUNCIL TO COME.
officials Say They Do Not Care Whether
Strike Occurs.
A FEW MINOR LABOR HAPPENINGS

Nothing can no be done in the impend-
there will be strike or not is still an open
question. The officials of the different
unions engaged in the trouble explain the
slowness with which something definite is
being done by saying that they are con-
servative body of men, and will not pre-
cipitate a strike until there is not the
slightest probability of coming to salts
factory terms with the officials of the
different roads. The latter say they have
done all they propose to do, and will wait
until something turns up. If a strike is
declared, they say they will be able to
meet it, and in their opinion they will not
come out second best.
Grand Master Downey, who has been in
the city for the past ten days trying to effect
a settlement, left last night for Chicago to
arrange some matters in connection with
the demands. He stated that nothing would
be done by the men until his return on
Monday, and he would bring other people
with him who would settle the agony one
way or the other. He would not say that
he would bring back the members of the
Supreme Council of the Federated Order Of
Railway Employees. but lett it to be inferred.
NO NEW DEVELOPMENTS.
Before leaving, Mr.. Downey said: "There
was no development in the matter to-day,
and there can be none now until Monday. 1
am going home to Chicago, TO confer with
some people, and will bring them to Pitts
burg when I return, Monday morning.
They will have the authority to order
strike if the railroad companies do not give
us more satisfactory answer. We do not
think their proposition is fair one. In
fact it proposes reduction in many cases,
and we would be foolish to accept it. What
the outcome of the matter will be do not
know. We must move slowly, and there is
plenty of time. If the public do not under
stand the details of the working of our or
ganization, it is not our fault We will not
strike unless it is absolutely necessary"
A meeting of the Switchmen's Mutual
Aid Society was held last night in Labor
Hall, but only lodge business was discussed.
The proposed strike, of course, came up in
an informal way. but no action Of any kind
was taken on it. After the meeting one of
the members, when asked if the Federated
Order would do anything, replied: 81 hope
they will; it is pretty nearly time they did"
WAITING FOR NEWS.
A tour of the railroad offices developed
nothing new. The officials said they were
following Mr.. Micawber's example. but did
not care whether anything turned up or not.
They stated that they had offered 25 and "a
cents for night and day conductors and 19
and 1S cents for night and day brakemen re-
spectively. This, they declared, would be
the last offer made, and they did not care
whether it was accepted or not. Their reply
was given to Messrs. Downey and Wilkin-
son. the latter will stay in the city while
Mr.. Downey is absent in Chicago.
1t was rumored Yesterday that Pinkerton
detectives are in the city and were shadow
ing the employees officials. This was de-
MED, and it was stated that the only detec-
tives engaged on the case are those employed
by the Perkins agency, OF this city, and the
regular railroad detectives.
The petition of the baggagemen at the
Union station for an increase of $40 per
month was presented to Chief Baggage
Master c. S. Jenkins. The latter referred
it to Superintendent Pitcairn, who in turn
forwarded the petition to Philadelphia for
action. The men say they have no inten-
ton OF striking and if the petition is refused
they will DO nothing. The work is hard
and it is said the men should get the in
crease.