Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-19
MAY EXTEND TO CHICAGO.
Railroad strikers Say the Strike Will he
Spread II Deemed Necessary.


The leaders Of the striking men at Buffalo
last night claimed that the Vanderbilt roads
were tied up and inactive at that point They
urge In addition that the Erie, the Lehigh
Valley and the Buffalo Greek roads are likewise
paralyzed by their strike. They feel that the
movement against the roads by the men has
now reached such magnitude and completeness
in the locality that 1t may not be nee essary for
men in allied trades TO be called out at Buffalo.
Their reserve ground for operations il pos
sihle calling out Of the switchmen on the Della
ware, LAckawanna and Western, Buffalo, Roch-
ester and Pittsburg and the Western New York
and Pennsylvanir roads The relations Of
these roads with the strike leaders are ex-
tremely amicable. ard they will not be called
out except to make the strike absolutely COM
plete around Buffalo. The latest addition of
strength to the striking switchmen was ninety
men in the Nickel Plate yards, who struck be-
cause they we're required to handle boycotted
freight.
Indeed. it is more than probable that the firemen
and the trainmen will be called out on the lines
already affected by the switchmens strike, and
even before dawn OF tomorrow switchmen OF
the various roads affected here may be called
out at Supervision Bridge, Hornellsville, Jersey
City and possibly Rochester and Albany.
RAILROADS REGARDED AS FRIENDLY.
The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western,
which has already conceded the rate demands
Of the men, went even further yesterday and
formally notified its employees that they would
not be asked to handle pound Of boycotted
freight. The result is that the men Of this
road are extremely loyal TO it. One of them in
the yards remarked that he and his col
leagues would be ready even to fight for their
employers. The strikers regard the Western
New York and Pennsylvania officials and the
Rochester and Pittsburg officials rs gentle
Ia La
ground in Buffalo the presumption il that the
strikers prefer the open countensnce by the
roads Of their cause to the moral support that
might arise from the going out Of the men on
these roads in response to q call Hence the
counter strokes in the future to be dealt the
contesting roads must fall upon their interests
at other points.
1t was stated last night that before yielding
this fight the leaders will extend their strike
west even to Chicago and eastward to New
York. ultimately calling ont perhaps not only
switchmer but, fremen and trainmen.
FIREMES AND TRAINMEN.
Although he was keeping his whereabouts pro-
foundly secret, 1t was said that Master Work.
man Sargent Of the locomotive firemen's organi-
cation was in Buffalo last night. The strikers
claim full sympathy OH the part of the tiremen.
and they state that if they are called out they
will quit their engines wherever the order may
reach them.
Master Workman Wilkinson of the trainmen's
order was also in Buffalo. and it is said that his
men are ready to join the switchmen whenever
ordered. but that the firemen. if ordered out,
will probably be first called. 1t is well to re-
member. in weighing the claims and statements
OF the strikers, that this movement, unlike that
| OF two years ago upon the Central. bears the
| stamp of official regularity. 1t hiss been ham
| died and directed with elaboration and the
strikers say that, il deemed necessary. within
the next three DAYS the movement will be ex-
tended from New York to Chicago.
As to the condition of the ied-up roads in
this city. their officials make statements
strongly contradicting the claims OF the men
paralyzed. So far as the New York Central ia
| concerned the strikers are in error. That road
! is moving freight not in a desultory way, few
cars at q time. but in trains.
| WILL NOT MEET swEENY.
telegram sent by President Mcleod Of the
Reading road to General superintendent Bon
zano at Buffalo last night said: Il am in re-
| ceipt Of your message informing me that the
New York state board of mediation and arbi-
tration have written to you that one Sweeny is
willing TO arbitrate, and has asked whether this
company is willing to consent to arbitration.
You are instructed to reply to the board that, in
the opinion Of the management Of this company.
the time to ask for or consider the question of
arbitration had passed when the men ADAM
doned the service Of the company, destroyed its
property and threatened to murder its employ
ers. They are now, therefore, in my judgment,
not entitled TO any consideration other than
that Of outlaws
THE BOARD OF ARBITRATION.
The state board OF arbitration met at Buffalo
yesterday and prepared circular which was
sent to the executive officers of the roads on
which trouble exists. II stated that the switch
men had expressed willingness to arbitrate
and required to be informed whether the rail-
roads would consent to adjustment Of the
dimculty by such arbitration. Vice President
Webb returned a reply which iR believed to
enbody the sentiment Of the officials Of the
other roads, 1t was to the effect that the Central
had nothing to arbitrste.
Mr.. DEPEw has NOTHING TO SAY.
A dispatch from Homburg SAYS: "Mr.
Chauncey NJ. Depew of New York is taking the
waters here. All efforts to induce him to dis
cuss railroad troubles at Buffalo have so far
proved fruitless.'
MR.. WEBB DECLINES ARBITRATION.
The following letter was sent yesterday to the
state arbitration board by Third Vice President
Webb of the Central in answer to the boards
letter:
Dear SIR have Just received your letter Of
this date. in which you ask il the corporation
represent will consent to an adjustment of the
existing differences with certain switchmen by
arbitration. So far as this company is con-
csrned the controversy you refer to is as
follows:
A number Of persons, not exceeding ninety
and employed as switchmen, quit the service OF
this company night before last. With but few
exceptions am satisfied that these men left the
company's service, not because Of any dissatis-
faction. but for the reason that it was evident
| to all concerned that in the existing disturb
ances going on in and about this city and in the
| yards in the adjoining county there was not
force sufficient to enable the authorities to give
proper protection to the parties who choose to
! remain and work in the companys service
| Some Of the men who 30 left the service have
returned, asked to be taken back and they are
| now again at work. Some few OF those who
have left the service have been engaged, SO
understand, in holding meetings and comforting
| with officials OF the order known as the Switch
mems Union and other organizations and seek
| ing to prevent, by percussion. threats, intimi-
| dalton and in other ways. the continuance and
lawful employment Of those who did not leave
or who returned to the company's service and
Of others who had been employed in the places
Of those who left.
| So far a. this company is concerned. this
| state Of affairs constitutes the present strike
At present the operating force in and around
this city II full, and there is no obstruction Of
any kind to its freight service except by law
less interference. The delay in freight trans
/ mt the HpAa ~ fhia " A,,r;p