Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-09-03
THE BUFFALO STRIKE Off.
Switohmen at Buffalo Lose Their
Fight
Sweeney is Forced to Declare the
Strike Of.

A despatch from Buffalo, n Y, saws:
Grand Master Sweeney, the head of the
switchmen's order, officially recognized the
fact that the strike movement of switch
men, which was inaugurated twelve DAYS
ago in this city, has failed. The strike was
declared off. The men who were formerly
employed as switchmen in the railway yards
here were notified by their local officials
that the purpose for which they stopped their
employment has not been accomplished, and
that they are now at liberty toget back their
places if they can.
The beginning Of the eni of what was an
almost general strike Of switchmen liz the
Buffaly Railroad yards was marked by Mr.
Sweeney's appeal 10 the heads of other orders
Of railway workers to meet him in confer
ence.
The evident fact that the companies had
resumed the natural conduct OF their bust
ness without the men who hal left their emf
ploy with Mr. Sweeney's sanction pressed
home to the grand master the conviction that
his local followers Ia become no longer
striking switchmen, bu only idle men Their
leader was brought 70 by daily develop
ments 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 public as
one Of the hainpering conditions whica en-
tered into the problem Mr. Sweeney had set
himself TO solve The nnaac 5 of his order
are exceedingly limited. The Organization
is without reserve aud without money. The
leader who has beel trying here 10 win
against the railroads, has found how neces-
sary is bank account In an organized effort
of labor for the establishment II new con
ditions which are not acceptable to railroads
with big money reserve.
Thus at the close of last week, with the
physical fact of renewed traffic movement
by the railroad confronting h m, aud with.
out an Official bank account at his command
Mr.. Sweeney knew that his cause was lost.
He turned, as last resort toward the other
organizations of railroad workers. and his
invitations to Messrs Sargent, Clara Arthur
Wilkinson and Thurston were the visible in.
dications that the switehnen must confess
defeat without fraternai aid
Alrea,.y Mr.. Sargent ha informed Mr..
Sweeney that the trenel would not come
out unless the men of all other railways also
co-operatoI. Mr.. Wilkinson, the trainmen's
chief, had notmst Mr. Sweeney since their
merorable meeting at Terre Haute and his
aid could scarcely be reckoned upon other
than grounds Of absolute Justice TO his own
men, while Mr. Clark, Of the conductors had
already stated that the men OF his order had
no grievances OF hir own. Slch was the
situation when, at O'Clock on tho afternoon
of the last day of the strike, there men as
cended tho stairs at the Hotel Broszel and
proceeded toward room IL, which is az the
end Of a quiet hallway on the first floor and
overlooking the depot aud passenger yards
of the Nov York Central
Arriving at room Is which was that occu-
pied by Mr. Sargent Of the firmcn, Mr. Sar-
kr.lt ...gNN 81
them in and closed and boltcd the door
Some one from within also shut the transom.
There was little fornality in the procedure
of conference. Mr.. Swe uey was asked at
once to set forth the position in which he and
his men were placed He did so Mt lcsgth and
in detail. At the conclus QUOT Mr Sweeney's
statements Mr.. Sergeant reiterated what he
had already stated--that his men would not
go out on sympathetic strike unless all rail
way organizations did so. IL this was a case
which dcmandsi that general issue should
be made by all organized railway labor,
then he would tic in the line with his fire
men.
Mr.. Clark stated that the conductors had
no grievance, and that while they believed
the demands of the switcnmon were lust,
there would be no strike of con luctors uil-
less to redress wrongs to themselves.
M; Wilkinson, for the trainnen, informed
the switchmen's leader that he felt the OH IL
nal demands Of the switchmen We're fair il
ever any demands were just, but his order
could not consent to cooperation by a sym
pathetic strike.
These statements having been made, Mr..
Sweeney had received his ultimatum. The
conference broke up, aud all except Mr..
Sweeney stroilcd together down the broad
staircase TO the lobby. Mr. Sweeney saw
that his case was lost aud determined 10 de-
clare the strike of.