The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-15
THE LABOR TROUBLES.
Ohio Miners Will Not strike-Norfh-
westeru switchmen Discharged.

western bWttcnmtn
COLUMBUS, o., May li.-The trouble between
the Ohio coal miners and operators has been
settled. Mutual concessions have been made at
n conference. in order to avert a strike, which
neither side desired.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa, May 1.-THE sweep
ing discharge OF yardmen on the Northwestern
resulted in the letting out of twelve employees
here Everything is quiet and no trouble Is an
ticipsted
CHICAGO, May H.--The trouble between the
Chicago 4 Northwestern road and its switch
men, growing out OF the discharge of the yard
master, eliminated this morning in the dis
charge OF the entire force, numbering $50 men.
The company has been expecting this necessity
for some time, and was prepared for IT,
New men were hired and distributed through
the yards, taking the place of those discharged.
All the trains went out as usual and no trouble
was reported up TO 1890 o'clock a. m. The
Northwestern officials state that for more than
two years the eituation regarding switchmen
has constantly been growing worse. The men
not only struck frequently for trivial causes,
but they have number of times demanded the
discharge of men who performed satisfactory
work and whose only fault was that they
were not members of the switchmens' union.
About two months ago they demanded the dis
charge of Yardmaster McNerny, and to avoid
trouble he was ostensibly dismissed, but kept
morning reinstated in his old position. Gen.
eral Manager Whitman says the manage
ment il fully determined that this
state of affairs had gone far enough,
and while IL proposes TO deal fairly and justly
with its employees and give fair and just eonsid-
Grafton of any grievances properly presented, it
also proposes 10 manage its own property and
fts own business in it's own way. All the other
railroad companies are applauding the
action of the Northwestern and will come
TO its support II necessary. The discharged
employees are only those on the Northwestern
system proper, which does not include the lines
west of the Missouri river. Reports from all
points are 20 the effect that trains are moving
very generally on time, and the interruption to
business IL very slight At points where switch
men have not been provided, trainmen are do
ing the switching.
Dispatches from Milwaukee and Madison,
Wis, Clinton, Iowa, aud other places on the
road say the Bwitchmen as those places were
discharged and paid off this morning.
This afternoon the discharged men here held
q secret meeting to settle upon a course of
action. Some of them favor asking the COM
pany to reinstate them. Others counsel hold
ing out and q resort to violence If necessary.
There is q rumor that the order will
be called upon 10 declare a general strike
on the st. Paul. Rock Island d Burlington
roads, whose managers are supposed to approve
the action OF the Northwestern. The company
is supported In Its position by the Conductors /.
Firemen's and Brakemens unions. The Switch
mems union is not included in the National
Federation OF Railway Employees.
To committee of men who called on Presi-
dent Hughet he said:
The switchmen for the last two years have
been about running the road. All the officials
have been Inundated, and now we propose to
ascertain whether We can ran our own road
We are backed by the trainmen. This is not an
attack on the unions In any way, but simply a
matter OF discipline. We must know who are
going to dictate.
PiTrsBuR0, May h-Work was resumed today
ct the National Tube Works. The strike was on
the part of the machinists for nine hours. 1t
has lasted fifteen weeks and the men have come
out victorious.
BOONE, Ia, May l4--All the switehmen and
yardnasters of the Iowa division OF the Chicago
d Northwestern were discharged this morning
switching is now being done by the trainmen,
and there is no interruption Of business.