Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-06-27
THE ULTIMATUM,
Given by the Illinois Central to
the Strikers.
WILL MAKE NO JONAH OF RUSSELL

The Road Proposes to Fight 1t Ont on
That Line If 1t Takes All Summer-A
Lively Meeting of the Strikers Com
cludes to Postpone General Tie-Up
Until Further Negotiations Are Had
Outlook Not Hopeless.
CHICAGO, June 27.-The conference be-
tween the officials of the Illinois Central
railway and the strikers committee last
ed until o'clock yesterday afternoon.
The final answer of the company was to
the effect that they would not be justified
in removing Mr. Russell from his posi-.
ton. The committee of the strikers re-
ported at once at their headquarters, and
last evening big meeting strikers was
held. Nearly 400 were in attendance. The
meeting was secret, and its import and
results could only be CLEANED from the
statements secured after its close. From
the street frequent and hearty applause
could be heard, and it was evident that
the report of the committee and speeches
made were approved. The matter of final
settlement was left in allegiance, however,
until this morning, when a meeting was
held beginning at o o'clock. The strikers
show no signs of weakening, and unless
some compromise can be effected to-day
nothing can prevent the strike spreading.
1t Is the Company's Ultimatum.
Referring to the decision of the COM
pany, THAT" said General Superinten-
tend Sullivan, lis the company's ultima
tum. 1t is the end of diplomatic rela-
tions. We have given a fair and impair
tial hearing to the men. We have kept
out all prejudice and on the basis of a
thorough investigation of the charges
made have felt compelled to sustain Mr..
Russell. The whole matter now rests
with the men. If they accept that deci-
sion the trouble is at an end: if not, | sup
pose it means fight"
After the Men Act, what9
ain case the men do not accept the de-
cision, what course will you take?
@Well, will not cross bridges before /
get to them. That the men did not get
what they wanted is certain, but l have
confidence that on mature reflection they
will see that we have adopted wise and
just policy and will decide to declare the
strike off"
"Did the committeeman intimate in any
way whether the decision would be ac-
ceptedy"
"No. There was no comment, no express
sion of opinion that would imply approval
or disapproval, and hence l have no idea
as to the probable result of our confer
enceso
The Strikers Weakening.
That the men have weakened since the
strike was inaugurated is manifest Dur
ing the conference, when it was clear that
the officials were set on supporting Mr..
RUSSELL they sought to have his power re-
stricted, stating that they were sure if his
authority could be so limited as to insure
the safety of the old employees from dis
charge and annoyance they would be sat
isfied The matter was argued at length,
but the officials were obdurate in their de
termination to make no concessions.
I'VE could not consistently hamper Mr.
Russell with restrictions" said Mr. Sulli-
van. Each officials duties are fixed,
| partly by custom and partly by rules pro-
| mulgated by the board of directors
Hoping for a Settlement.
After the strikers meeting had closed
| last night, one of the participants was
seen. Il can't give you much informa-
tion,n said he THAT there is division
Of opinion is certain from the speeches
made. just what will be done in the
matter has not been determined, but from
the general drift of the talk, imagine a
| settlement will be effected this morning !.
|" If the men refuse to submit,
| strikes will probably occur on the other
| roads, but they will be sympathetic
| strikes, and will be occasioned by the re-
| fusal of the switchmen to handle the
| freight carried by them for the Illinois
Central These sympathetic strikes are
| almost sure to follow, and it is safe
| to predict that if the Illinois Central men
| decide to hold out the entire carrying
trade of the city will be tied up"
As to Superintendent Russell.
| Many stories have been set afioat by the
strikers as to Mr.. Russell's connection with
other roads, all such stories being to his
discredit; they cannot be confirmed. Dur
ing his railway career he has been con-
nected in an executive capacity with the
Inter-colonial railway, the Chicago, st.
| Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha, the Great
Northern, the Minneapolis and st. Louis,
| and the Chicago, St. Paul and Kansas
City. each of which roads he left because
of better position being offered him on
| account of merit.
No Respect for Freight Owners.
The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific
had some perishable freight in the Illinois
Central yard, and sent over their own
switch engine with lot of brakemen and
switchmen, and tried to get the freigh,
over on their own tracks, but the Illinois
Central strikers would not allow them to
enter the yard. They flung the switch at
the entrance, and placed guard at tina,
point to keep the Rock Island people out
| of the yard.
Double Murder at Morris. Ills.
MORRIS, Ills, June 27-White- haired