Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-15
A RAILWAYS STROKE
GENERAL DISCHARGE OF UNION
sWlTcHMEN FROM ITS SERVICE.
A Strike Forcstalied-The Places OF tho
Discharged Men Promptly Filled
The Men Surprised.
TBy telegraph % .he pIspatch.l

CHICAGO, May 1i.-This morning every
union switchman in the employ of the
Northwestern railroad. not only IN Chicago,
but at every other point, was discharged.
This was done in carrying out the COM
psny's resolve not TO allow the switchmen
to interfere in the affairs Of the road and
dictate as to the discharge Of yardmasters,
etc.
For months the company has been pre-
pairing for the battle and has been hiring
non-union switchmen all over the coun-
try. So quietly has il been doing this
work that the union svitchmen did not
get an mixing until the very last moment
OF what was going on. As soon as the To-
cal force was discharged 2n0 new men were
ready TO take their places at the switches.
The newcomers were, for the most part,
experienced men, and under the supervi-
sion OF the various division superintend-
ents had no trouble in doing the work.
Each division superintendent had his crew
OF men and went Mt the work carefully and
systematically. The result was that the
passenger and suburban trains, as we'll as
all freight trains, came IN and went out on
schedule time. All live stock and perish
able freight was also promptly handled
and delivered.
No violence was offered by the old men,
who stood about in groups watching the
newcomers at their labors. Policemen
were stationed all through the yards and
about the downtown depot TO prevent
any trouble. The Northwestern officials
are very confident of victory, while the
discharged men are somewhat dazed at
the turn affairs have taken and have
not vet determined upon their policy. Dis
patches from various points on the road
tell of the discharge of the switchmen
there and the hiring Of new men. At
Milwaukee twenty-five new switchmen
took hold and all trains are leaving on
time. No trouble is reported there.
CAUSE OF THE ACTION.
The Northwestern officials state that for
more than two years the situation regard
ing the switchmen has been constantly
growing worse. The men have not only
struck frequently for trivial causes, at
times seriously delaying suburban trains
at the busiest part Of the day to the great
inconvenience of thousands of people, but
they have number of times demanded the
discharge of men who performed satistac-
tory work and whose only fault was that
they were not members of the switehmen's
union. About two months ago they de-
manded the discharge of Ysrdmas-
ter Frank McNerney, and 70 avoid
trouble he was ostensbly dismissed,
but he was kept on the payroll of the conf
pany and was this morning reinstated IN
his old position. General-Alanager Whit
man says: The management has fully de-
termined that this state of affairs has gone
far enough. and while it proposes to deal
fairly and Justly with oil its employees and
90 give fair and Just consideration to any
grievance properly presented, 1t also pro-
poses to manage its property and lts own
business in its own way and 10 place itself
in a position where the public which IT
serves can be properly accommodated
without being put to inconvenience and
ANNOYANCE.
STRIKE NIPPED N TIE BUD.
All the other railroad companies are APP
plauding the action Of the Chicago and
Northwestern, and will come 10 its sup
port If necessary. 1t is understood that
the switchmen on all the roads were pre-
pairing for a general strike June lst aud 1t
is thought that they may change their
minds az n result of the stand taken by
the Northwestern. The discharged en-
ploycs are only those on the Northwestern
system proper. which does not include the
lines west Of the Missouri river, the Sioux
CITY and Pacific, or the Chicago, st. Paul,
Minneapolis and Omaha. Reports from all
points are TO the effect that the trims are
moving pretty generally on time, and that
the interruption to business Is very slight.
At all points where new switchmen have
not been provided the trainmen are doing
the switching.
THE DISCHARGED MEN MEET SECRETLY.
This afternoon the discharged men In
the West Chicago yards went into secret
meeting to settle upon o course OF action.
TIE CoMIAvY SUPPORTED.
The company ia supported in its posi-
ton by the conductors, fremen's, and
brakemen's unions In fact. at the time
of the McNerney trouble q deputation
from these unions called on the officials of
the road and demanded McNerney's re-
instatement, promising that if the switch
men should strike in consequence they
would furnish men to fill their places:
The switchmens union is not included
in the National Federation Of Railroad
Employees.