Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-10-03
TRAINMEN DIVIDED.
Internal Warfare in the RAILWAY
federation.
NORTHWESTERN STRIKE UP AGAIN.

Some Members Determined That Will
kinson and Sheahan Must Go Because
of Their Action Last Maya State
ment of the Feeling About the Matter
on Both sides, with a Review of the
TroubIe-FossibiIity of a Break-Up-A
Critical Situation at Savannah, Ga.
CHICAGO. Oct. internal warfare is
now raging among the members of the
Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, and a
pitched battle of the divided forces, with
arguments for ammunition, is expected
to take place at the convention to be held
at Galesburg next Monday. The dispute
results from the expulsion of the brother
hood from the Federation of Railway En-
ployes because of the action taken by the
trainmen in the switchmen's strike on
the Chicago and Northwestern railroad
last May. 1t was charged that Grand
Master 5. Z. Wilkinson and I. G. Shea
han had made a compact with the road 10
help it, so far as possible, whenever there
was strike.
Fight on Wilkinson and Sheehan
Since the expulsion conflict has been
waging among the trainmen, which is TO
be settled one way or the other at Gales
barg. The federation demands the expul-
sion of Wilkinson and Sheahan from the
brotherhood before it will re-admit the
trainmen to its fold Grand Master Will
kinson's friends are fighting hard for him,
and as most of the local branches of the
organization carried out his order during
the strike it is possible that the Brother
- - 4 .laY H..
dependent association and retain the men
who have offended the federation.
The Expected Did Not Occur.
When the switchmen quit work in the
yards of the Chicago and Northwestern
r7irodd last May all organizations b.
longing to the Federation of Railroad
Employees were expected 10 assist the
strikers Ia every possible way. AT that
time the conductors, switchnen, firemen,
brakemen and trainmep belonged 10 the
federation. All along the lines of the
road the swirchmen struck, expecting that
they would achieve an easy vic DRY. What
was their surprise TO learn that the train =.
men had gone to the rescue and helped
their employers TO switch every train
which passed over the Chicago and North
western. Grand Master Wilkinson had
issued an order TO the members Of the
Brotherhood of Trainmen that all should
turn the switches in order to prevent the
delay of trains.
Trainmen Helped the Company.
Every train man worked, during has spare
time. TO fight the switchmen, and one of
the strangest spectacles in the history of
organized labor was witnessed Both or
gan!zGtions belonged to a federation, the
constitution Of which compelled membe
to help one another during n strike Here
were the trainmen doing double work in
order 10 foil their brethren, and the
switchmen became furious as they saw
that the result would end in defeat for
themselves. The trainmen worked ardu-
ously until the c. and " W. tided over
the trouble. The demands of the switch
men were entirely ignored and they were
at last compelled to capitulate without
terms.
Why They Acted as They Did.
The attitude of the trainmen was caused
by what they claimed was the arbitrary
aud unjust action of the switchmen in
precipitating a strike. BY the constitu-
tion of the federation none of the organi-
cations could strike except b. the consent
Of the whole. 1t was claimed that the
switchmen had deliberately set at defiance
the laws not only of the federation, but
of their own association. The trainmen
claimed that the strike was ordered by
certain division of the Switchmen's asso-
citation without regard to the feelings of
the majority. This in itself was consid-
cred sufficient trangression. But when
as a branch of the federated body the
switchmen demanded that the conductors,
firemen and trainmen should help in tie
strike, the latter rose up and refused to
aid them in the struggle.
The Question To Be Decided.
The question to be decided at Galesburg
next week is the expulsion of Wilkinson
and Sheahan for the continued defiance of
the federation. There is dissension among
the tralnmen, and ii is thought that Grand
Master Wilkinson's will be expelled. The
switchmen think that if by any chance
the Galesburg convention shall indorse
Grand Master Wiikinson's action in the
Chicago and Northwestern strike the
brotherhood will be broken up and those
who favor federation will form another
organization. The convention promises
TO be full of trouble for the trainmen.
Dissension within the ranks has caused
bitter personal feelings, and with pressure