The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1891-05-15
Every Switchman In the Employ OF
the Chicago and Northwestern
Discharged.
A Few of Them Allowed to Return to
Work Under New Regulations.
Other Places Filled.
Discharged Men Angry and Demon
strative-C Chicago Police Massed
to Prevent Riot.

NJ every switchman in the employ of
the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad
company 200 employed in this city and
800 employed at points along the line
was discharged and paid off. The COM
pany chose this hour rs the most con-
venient TO notify both the day and
night men that their services would be
no longer required. The road has been
preparing for this action during the past
two months, and for every man dis
charged there was another to take his
place. Yardmaster Frank McInernery,
whose discharge the switchmen de-
manded, and enforced by general tie
up during General Manager Whitman's
illness six weeks ago, was reinstated
and took charge of the new men. The
company say that McInernery was never
really discharged. His name has never
been taken off the pay rolls of the COM
pany, but his position has remained
vacant, as he remained away from his
work pending the trouble on his ac-
count. Nj Whitman said that the
company would no longer put up with
the state of things that has existed DUR
ing the past three years, and this action
is practical demonstration Of the COM
pany's intention to
Run Its Own Business.
On account of the men being always
ready to strike on the slightest provoca-
tion the train service had been unsatis-
factory to the public and to the COM
pany, and now he proposes to put a stop
to 1T. A few weeks ago, after the
trouble caused by Yardmaster McIner-
merry, q canvass was made of the 1,071
locomotive engineers in the employ of
the Northwestern by representatives of
the company. Every man promised to
stand by the company in case strike or
lockout should be inaugurated. They
sympathized with McInernery. A large
| force of police lis patrolling the yards OF
the company in this city, but so far
their services have not been required.
The officials of the company say, this il
mot fight against the Switchinen's
union. Their men, as in many other
yards, have frequently quit work with
ont moments warning and without
4 the sanction of the union. The company
will probably hire men without discrim'
nation.
The circular announcing the discharge
4 of the switchmen stated in reorganizine
the switching service preference would
be given to such men previously em
ployed as were, in the judgment OF thu
company, capable and worthy, other
wise their positions would at once b.
filled by other men arranged for. Quit.
la number availed themselves OF TIN
offer and
Went to Work
with the new men, and the compan,
claims that with its new force it has beef
able to handle all its passenger an,
suburban business and perishabl
freight. About 200 policemen are sta
toned at different points in the city
About fifty of this force were statione,
at each of the North avenue and WoOi
, street yards, the most threatening
points. The precaution of massing
larger force at those two points than a
the others proved a wise one, as mobs o
: angry switchmen assembled at bot
places. They were
Excited and Demonstrative,
but refrained from any serious out
break, being apparently overawed b
: the superior force of police. The CON
pany claims that it is being supporte
: by all the orders belonging to the Fec
. Grafton of Railway Employees except th
y Switchmen's Mutual Aid association
! All the trainmen are doing the work {
!, the discharged switchmen. A committe
b representing the men who were dil
s charged called on General Manage
a Whitman and asked for a conferene
: looking toward an adjustment of til
= trouble. The conference lasted som
time. .
Discharged at milwaukee,.
MILWAUKEE, May 15.-All of the re;
ular switchmen of the Chicago an
: Northwestern road here-fifty -one me
/ were discharged and paid off at
l, M, in accordance with general ord
,. of dismissal over the entire system
!, All Quiet Along the Line.
!. Dispatches from Fort Howard, ESQ
q naba, Baraboo, Milwaukee. Winon
+ Council Bluffs, Boone and Des Moin
: state that the new men are workil
= well. No trouble has occurred al
/ trains are running through on tim
This is not fight directed against t
union. nor is it instituted for any que
Ia ton of wages, said President Mary
Il - L. 49,. x~EJ =.