The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-22
BIG ROAD TIED UP,
Strike on Canadian Pacific From
Winnipeg to Vancouver.
OVER A QUESTION OF UNloNIsM.
The Company Calls for Troops-If tho
Engineers and Firemen Go Out
the Strikers Must Win.


the Pacific division of the Canadian Pa
eiiic railway for some days terminated IN
.strike Sunday midnight of the conduct
krs. brakenen, baggagemen and yardmen.
|lyhis was not expected, because Ii was gen.
1 ,r.llv understood that matters were ap-
weighing a settlement; that mutually
| .reeable schedule had been drawn up,
!. living general per cent. increase, and
4 that General Superintendent Abbott had
..tated that should an increase over these
rates be granted by any other division,
the Coast division trainmen should be
granted the same, with the understanding
that the Pacific division shall apply the
present constructive mileage rules, and
also with stipulation that the employees
should agree to continue faithful to the
company without regard to any combina-
ton against it. Mr.. Abbott also stated
that all dismissed men would be rein
stated. This was considered fair propo-
siton and almost certain to bring an i'm
mediate settlement.
On the 18th Mr.. Abbott received letter
Intimating that negotiations had been
broken of, assigning as a reason that ''the
management was compelling trainmen on
part of the system 10 withdraw from their
organizations or be dismissed" On the
statement being made known on the 10th,
reply came that such assertion was I'M
true, as the question of brotherhood or
CARNATIONS had not been raised in any
way by the company during the discus
sion. I'm one instance" says the general
manager, 81 believe a superintendent ex-
i ceeded orders, but was instructed imme-
dately that the company did not require
any signatures from the men, but was
willing to take their word that they would
/ stay by the company. In no instance
we're men required to say they would
sbsndon any organization to which they
belonged"
The general superintendent yesterday
y received a letter from the chairman of the
men informing him that owing to the
management and the trainmen on the
/ part of the system being unable to arrive
at an amicable settlement of the existing
/ difficulties as to how the Pacific division
n was to be governed, and the management
! having discharged certain trainmen for re-
fusing to make pledges that would compel
them to withdraw from their organiza-
tons in defense of their rights and inter-
ests, the trainmen employed on the Pacific
division of the Canadian Pacific railway
had decided to abstain from work after "a
o'clock March 20 and to remain until .
mutual settlement was arrived at.
The Whatcom express went out this
morning with ex-Baggageman Ferguson
| In charge, and the Pacific express, in
charge of Conductor Calder, formerly a
brakeman on the Westminster branch.
The men who are out are seen in groups
| here and there throughout the city talking
the matter over, but there is no sign of
4 disturbance anywhere. A number of men
Ito do yard duty and terd switches have
been secured, and it is said that the COM
pany has many applications for the va
can't positions. 1t is confidently asserted
that there win be no delay in running
passenger and express trains. The en-
gineers and fremen are quite satisfied
with the wages they are getting, and as
long as they remain at their posts the
officials will not be much bothered
about filling the other places. Should
the engineers and firemen go out
matters would be in an entirely
different position, because running engines
with green men in the cab is entirely out
Of the question on either the Pacific or
mountain divisions. 1t is known that
there is far more responsibility on the
| trainmen on the mountain division than
/ anywhere else, and if experienced hands
are out the engineers may refuse to make
runs with unskilled men behind them.
The officials at Montreal were notified of
the decision of the employees, and at an
. early hour this morning instructions were
Nreceived to pay off every man who had
oil
Pacific division from this city to Donald.
That the old men are TO go out is matter
Of deep regret here, and citizens generally
would be pleased TO see an amicable ar
rangement. One hundred and thirty new
men were put on at Fort William today,
and sixty at Winnipeg, and 1t is said
large number are on the way to the Pacific
division On the other hand, the leaders
Of the strikers are buoyant and hopeful OF
winning
New WESTMINSTER, b. c., March 2l.-
Special. Every trainman between VAN
couver and Port Arthur went on strike
OF midnight last night, and the outlook
for an early settlement of the trouble be-
tween the trainmen and the Canadian Pa
eiic Railway Company is not so bright as
il was a few days ago. At conference be-
tween the tranmen and officials OF the
7 company on Wednesday last an arrange
ment was reached whereby the discharged
men should be reinstated and all tralnmen
return to work pending settlement OF the
strike on the western division, when the
trainmen on the Pacific division should be
given the same wages as should be ar
ranged for the western division and GER
tain percentage in addition. This was
considered satisfactory by the men ana
negotiations were continued on Thursday
and Friday, when, on the point OF q
definite settlement, they were brought 10
an abrupt termination.
1t seems that the company, while nego'
tiatinc with the men at this end of the
line, continued pressing the men on the
up-countrv sections 20 assert their loyalty
10 the company by signing an agreement
to keep out of any combination or strike
which might be promoted. This practic'
ally meant the withdrawal from the broth
erhood OF such men Is signed, and the
officers of the brotherhood who were con-
Quoting negotiations with Mr.. Abbott sent
the latter gentleman letter on Saturday
announcing their withdrawal from fur
ther meetings with the company for the
Present. or until such time as the company
receded from the position il had taken IN
the matter. The company remaining firm
In the stand it had assumed, general
strike was ordered yesterday, TO begin
this morning, and went into effect a'
arranged
The new Observation-Disclosures train
was taken out this morning by Johnston
the companv's agent in this city. and the
Whatcom express and the Atlantic ex