Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-08-25

clared Off.
The men who were formerly employed
as switchmen in the railway yards will be-
fore daylight, be notified by their local Of
ficials that the purpose for which they quit
their employment has not been accom-
plished and they are now at liberty TO go
back to their places if they can.
The beginning Of the end Of what was,
until last Sunday, an almost general strike
OF the Switchmen in the Buffalo railroad
yards, was marked by Mr.. Sweeney's ap-
peal to the heads Of orders OF railway
workers to meet him in conference in this
city.
Mr.. Sweeney was brought face to face
with the fact, as stated in these dispatches
Sunday night, that there was no longer any
strike of the Switchmen in the Buffalo
yards.
Their leader was brought to see by daily
developments IN the yards that If his men
were saved at all, some power beyond his
resources or theirs must be invoked.
At this point the fact should be stated,
which has not before been made puDlic, as
one of the hampering conditions which en-
tered into the problem, that the
organization Is without reserve
and without money. The leader who has
been trying here TO win against the rail-
roads has found how necessary is a bank
account in al organized effort of labor for
the establishment of new conditions which
are not acceptable to railroads with large
money reserve.
Mr.. Sweeney turned as a last resort
toward the other organizations OF the rail-
way workers, and his invitations TO Messrs
Sargent, Clark, Arthur, Wilkinson and
Thurston were the visible indications that
the switchmen must confess defeat without
o1 NJ
each of these labor leaders save Messrs.
Arthur and Thurston were in the city.
At four o'clock this afternoon Messrs.
Sweeney, Clark and Wilkinson, proceeded
20 the Hotel BroeZel. Arriving at room
Is, which was that occupied by Mr.. Sar-
gent. OF the fremen. that gentleman re-
ceived them at the Threshold, ushered
them in and closed and bolted the door,
There was little formality in the proceed
ure of the conference. Mr.. Sweeney was
asked at once to set forth the position In
which he aud his men were placed. He
did so at length aud in detail. AT the con-
clusion of Mr.. Sweeney's statements Mr..
Sargent reiterated what he had already
stated, that mis- men should not go out on
sympathetic strike unless all railway or
ganizations did so.
II this was case which demanded that
a general issue should be made by all or
ganiZed railway labor then he would be in
line with his firemen; otherwise the fire
men would be kept on boiling water. Mr.
Clark stated that the conductors had no
grievance, and that while they believed the
demands of the .witchmeE were just, there
would be no strike of conductors save 1t
was to redress the wrongs OF the conduc-
tors
a. ,,l,, &c a IN fal
the original demands of the switchmen
were fair if ever any demands were just,
but his order could not consent TO cooper
alton in a sympathetic strike. These
statements having been made, lhr. Sweeney
had received his ultimatum.
The conference broke up about { o'clock,
aud all save Mr.. Sweeney strolled together
down the broad staircase to the lobby.
Nearly the entire force of newspaper
respondents were waiting the result.
The three labor chiefs frankly stated the
ultimatnm they had severally given to the
switchmen's leader.
Nearly a mile up Main street. in one OF
the big hotels, four men louEged upon
big leather sofa. Finally slight wiry. fig-
ure, hurried in and beckoning to the four
proceeded with them to room 163, on the
fourth floor of the hotel.
II was Mr.. Sweeney's room and the
slight wiry man was Mr.. Sweeney. The
men who were awaiting him were Master
Workman Moriarity Of the Switchmen's
lodge in this city and the three others were
also local representatives OF the men who
had gone on strike.
Then began a canfab, which was contin-
ued until after IL o'clock. A conclusion
was reached by those who waited, and
Master Workman Moriarity came in the
hallway and whistled, TO indicate that the
head Of the switchmen's order was then
ready to communicate with the people
through the press. The correspondents
filed into d small room.
the Master Workman will say few
words TO the press" announced Mr.. Mo-
riarity.
The head of the order, tapping pencil
in a ruminating fashion and 10 tone Of
voice so low as to scarcely be heard across
the room, said;
"A conclusion has been reached by the
duly authorized representatives of the
switchmen, and It is that this
trouble is ended at midnight tonight That
is all have got TO say, and / don't pro-
pose 10 answer any questions. so you need
SiWhce fell upon the entire company.
The newspaper men stared in surprise for
q moment at Mr.. Sweeney, and as ques-
tions were about being put by several be
added: -Four hundred and fifteen switch
men can't fight 1000 troops and four or five
railroad companies"
.sThere are more switchmen than 4l5,"
shot in one Of the correspondents.
Yes. about SIS are out now, corrected
Mr.. Sweeney; land If any men had a
grievance, these meu had"
s.We are a little distigured but still in
the ringn interjected Barrett, Of the
switchmen's order.
"Sh-r commanded Mr.. Sweeney, and
then he added as the newspaper men with
drew ard in answer 10 an inc uiry, II have
nothing 10 say whether there will be fed
Grafton of railway orders or not. You will
nrohablv give US credit for making stiff
light. If we ale beaten
'Will any Of your men be taken back by
the roads.r asked a retiring correspond
ent
"Thev need trained and skillful help,
and they certainly cannot get any better
men than these" was Mr.. Sweeney's re-
sponse.
The word was carried out towards the
East Buffalo yards al once oy messengers
and before dawn the idle switchmen knew
they were at liberty again 70 seek work
where they could.
II is estimated by Arbitration Commis-
sioner Donovan. who has called upon the
rrilwsv officials in behalf Of the men, that
nearly nifty per cent OF the now idle
switchmeu will be re employed.
1t is probable that the troops will be