Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-09-02
THEYMAY ALL STRIKE
ENGINEERS AND FIREMEN BE-
COMING UNEASY.
They Object to the Presence Of the
Guards on Trains--Onn OF Arbltrn-
tion Refused by Both the Lines inter-
ssted-Troops Being Massed.

BUFFALO, Aug. 2o.--Advices from the
railroad yards here say that the
impression Is growing hourly that the
firemen and engineers will soon 60
out. The soldiers say the engineers
give them as much trouble as
the strikers and annoy them in every
way. Every time an engine passed
the engineer would open the valves
and drench them with hot Or cold
water. The soldiers were on the trestle
thirty feet above the ground and
could hot move even If they were
scalded. II is explained by the rail-
road authorities that they can
not move freight very rapidly until
they have more protection.
Long lines of freight cars were pull
ing slswly out Of Buffalo all day. On
top of each train was a squad OF twen-
ty-five soldiers, who remained with the
train until it was safely past the dam
ger points. 1t is in that way that the
railroads have been able to do some
business, and 1t is in that way that
new complication Is likely to be
caused. There Is no question but that
the fever of unrest has struck the fire.
men and trainmen hard. Even the EN-.
gineers are feeling It. An excuse seems
to be all they need for going out, and
in the use of soldiers to guard the
trains they think they have found that
excuse. 1t will not be at all surprising
II by tomorrow the firefneh and train
men refuse to handle any trains
guarded in the manner indicated.
What will be done then Ia big ques-
ton.
The tcainmen held meeting and
spent several hours considering the
situation. The question Of striking
was discussed, and It was decided that
In certain contingencies the men will
strike. Said one Of them, "If the
engineers and fremen 60 out you can
count on the traihmen at once quitting.
More than that cannot tell you." 1t
is reported that the firemen have re-
ferred their case to Grand Master Sar-
gent
Eight thousand men have SO far been
ordered here. Two thousand were all
ready OH the ground and about 800,
including the Tenth Battalion of
Albany, arrived at o o'clock. Others
hre due later. The New York and
Brooklyn regiments and the companies
from the Hudson towns are due here
now.
Two strikers are locked up at No. 8
station house charged with violation
of Sec. IA, Chap. l, of the penal code.
They had deep-laid scheme for ditch
ing the fast mail, which leaves here
over the Central at 1i4O, but 1t was
hipped in the bud by Sergt. Burkhardt
ind two policemen from the Eighth
precinct, who caught the miscreants in
the very act of throwing the switch on
the main track near Fillmore avenue
just before the train was due to pass.
Had it not been for Sergt Burkhardt's
keen perception the loss of many lives
would have been the result.
1t is plainly evident that the leaders
are planning for IA spread of the strike.
They see now that their only hope of
winning is to call out just as many en-
ploycs on just as many roads as is pos
sible. The trainmcn and firemen are
counting noses and before the night is
over they may come to decision as to
their future course. Engineers, it Is
also said, have been approached and
meetings have been called to discuss
the stand they shall take. Conductors,
too, will be brought in if possible. In
this way it is hoped that SO many men
will be laid off in SO many branches of
labor that 1t will be practical impos-
sibility for the roads to run trains even
with a million soldiers to guard them.
The Delaware, Laclsawanta & Vest
ern, which has already conceded the
rate demands of the men, went even
further and formally notified its en-
ployes that they would not be asked to
handle pound of boycotted freight.
The result is that the men of that road
are extremely loyal to it. One of them
in the yards remarked that he and his
colleagues would be ready even to fight
for their employers. The strikers re-
gard the Western New York and Penn
sylvania officials and the Rochester
and Pittsburg officials as gentle
manly lot"