The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-08-16
BRAKEMEN'S STRIKE
Serious Condition of Affairs on she
Lehigh Valley.
NEW YORK MILITIA CALLED OUT.

Cars Destroyed on Sunday The
Fires Still. Burning IneneotuaI
Efforts TO Move Freight Cars-The
Reading Company Will Force the
Issue.
BUFFALO, Aug. 16.-The police COM
missioners were busy yesterday swear
ing in special policemen, on account of
the railroad strike. The sheriff was also
busy sw ,aring in special deputies for
duty in the yards at Cheektowaga,
which is outside the city limits and be-
yond the jurisdiction of the city police.
The number of Erie and Lehigh Val
ley freight cars destroyed by fire is
variously estimated at from 100 to 200.
Master Moriarty, of the local lodge Of
the Switchmen's union, states that the
strikers were not responsible for the fires.
he attributes them to "lot of tramps
and buns that are always around when
there Is any excitement"
In an interview Grand Master Swee-
ney emphatically condemns the acts of
lawlessness, and states that he has as
snrances from the men on strike that
they were not responsible for what was
done, but it was the work of irresponsi-
BILE individuals who could not be con-
trolled.
The Fire Still Burning.
A man just in from the Erie yards
says the scenes of the wreck out there
are simply terrible. Cars are burning
and it is impossible to stop them.
Grand Master Sweeney was seen
again yesterday afternoon and asked
what he proposed doing to put stop to
the lawlessness prevalent among the
strikers. He replied that strong measures
would be taken to put an end to it.
Asked as to the strike situation from his
standpoint, he said:
at has spread to Waverly and will
probably to Hornellsville and Bradford,
where the switchmen are dissatisfied. 1t
has not spread to any other roads in
Buffalo. We have come to an agree
ment with the Western New York and
Pennsylvania on the ten hour basis and
will have no trouble with that road. A
conference with the general superin-
tendent of the Buffalo, Rochester and
Pittsburg has been arranged. He is
coming here and | expect that ten
hour basis will be made"
Mr.. Sweeney further said that the
Erie and Lehigh switchmeh here had
, mot been treated in such way as to
keep them in good humor. Their ad-
vances had been spurned by those in
high authority.
Tho Strikers Beyond Control.
A telephone message has just been re-
ctiyed here from Sheriff Beck, at Cheek
towga. where the freight cars are burn
ing, calling for more help. 1t is re-
ported that the fires are spreading, and
that the strikers are beyond control of
&Ae force now at the sheriffs command.
When the Lehigh freight No. SO at
esinpted to get ont of the yards yester-
day 1t was held up by the strikers. The
train had moved slowly as far rs Bailey
avenue when suddenly mob of strikers
darted out from among the cars on the
sde tracks and other places of conceal
ment and compelled the engineer and
fireman to get down and give the train
coupled and the train left helpless. The
police were telephoned for and a squad
Of them came after the trouble was over.
Roodshed is looked for.
Several engines were at work in the
yards of the Lehigh Valley railroad, but
they did little bat make few trains
y and make the yards clear. On the
I Buffalo Creek road nothing was dono.
There was no chance to do it, as no men
sould be had. No trouble occurred
Ssnere.
Intellectual Attempt TO Start Trains.
During the afternoon Road Master
n Hsuster, Of the Erie, got everything in
4 readiness to push the freight that was
blocking the east track out of the way
when it was discovered that the switch
men who were lettering everywhere had
cot the brakes. Mr.. Huester ordered
the yard employe to open them, but he
respected the angry gestures of those
surrounding the train and refused.
IL. aalt i
Huester, and mounting the cars, he
loosened the brakes, only to have them
nst again by dozen different men who
elRmbered on the cars. Not satisfied
With this, they reques ed the roadmas-
TN to deeist or be thrown down, and he
decided to comply with their wishes,
The brakes remained set, the couplings
and keys gone out OF the bulkheads.
What tho Men Want.
"It Is not right to charge us with all
This wrong declared one striker "The
damage was not done by our men, and
ws are not responsible for it. We want
ten hours for day, with a dinner hour
and the same pay as now. That's what
they have done on the Delaware, Lack
awanna and Western, Central, Lake
Bhore, Nickel Plate and Western New
York and Pennsylvania, and we want
1t, too. Weexhausted all possible peace
able means before striking"
1t was expected that there would be
some interference with the Lehigh VAL
Icy passenger train, but it ran into the
depot without stop. 1t carried seventy
two men picked up from along tue
Reading system, and they were taken to
the United States hotel. During the
DAY the men Were seen by committee
of strikers and asked not TO go to work.
1hey agreed to return to their homes il
The local union would pay their fare.
The Militia Called Out.
Sheriff Burks seems to have met with
Ill success IL answer to his call for
deputies ut $3 day, All they did was
to desert as fast as they reached East
Buffalo. The desertions SO distrusted
the official that he decided to call out
the military, and at midnight last night
The Sixty fifth and Seveptieth regi-
snents were at their armories awaiting
orders.
AWord comes Hfrom ISusquehanna, q
niyision station on the Erie road, that
Ageneral strike will be ordered all along
She Erie road unless the trouble at Buff
falo is adjusted today.
READING, Pa, Aug. 16.-Fully $50
railroad men have been employed in
fhis city, Harrisburg. Pottsville, Cres-
soma and other points along the line of
we headlnB railroad during the past
Etirty-six hours. Most Of the men are
cid employees and thoroughly acquainted
with the Reading system of railroading.
A car load of brakemen and conductors
passed through Reading tonight.
. It was learned here that the Readin z
company has decided to force the issue.
Inc employees on the Lehigh Valley
division will be called on individually
and II It is found shat theyBare likely 70
desert the company, and that there will
ne no compromising, they will be dis
missed at once. A number Of the com
Eanys policemen haye been ordered to