The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-08-17

tion-Two Regiments of State Militia
Ordered Out-Incendiary Fires Contin-
ue to be Set-Power of the Sheriff to
Call on the Militia Questioned.
BUFFALO, N. Y, August 16.-The Le-
high Valley people say they have got
four trains out of the yard to-day. just
before noon long train which has been
lying in the yard since last evening was
started under protection of Company c.,
Goth Regiment
The military aspect of affairs at Cheek
towaga to-day was of avery pronounced
character. Brigadier General Doyle
pitched his headquarters at William
street station, just outside the city line.
All the cars and buildings Of the Erie
and Lehigh Valley Railroad in this vicin-
ity was guarded. The military lines
extend from the city limits to the Lack
awana Coal Trestle in Cheektowago.
about mile and a half.
There were no sensational develop
ments in the switchmen's strike during
the night With the two regiments of
the National Guard in the field and the
police reinforced by 200 specials, the
feeling is much more reassuring. The
calling out of the militia by the
sheriff is generally commended, espec-
tally as his deputies proved practically
the first show of opposition. The police
claim to be able to handle the strike in
side the city limits, but in the town of
Cheektowaga, where the militia were
sent, the situation is different.
During the progress of the military
preparations, General Doyle said: 'sYou
can say that the National Guard is never
ordered out at midnight to put down a
riot, armed with blank cartridges. Every
man that leaves this arsenal tonight will
carry 3S rounds of ball cartridges, pre-
pared to shoot. If there is any necessity
for shooting you may depend upon it
there will be hot work. This regiment
has fine record at rifle practice, and
was never in better condition for duty
than tonight. am going through with
the first battalion, and I am going clear
through the lines, if the strikers have set
up any lines. We are not going out for
fun
Colonel Welch arrived at William
street station outside the city line about
one o'clock. His special object, apart
from keeping the peace in a general way,
was to protect the big trestle near by,
about which there was considerable un-
easiness. 1t was loaded with coal, and
from remarks dropped during the day it
was believed that an attempt would be
made to set fire to it during the night. The
first battalion of the Sixty-fifth was fol-
lowed by the first battalion of the Seven
ty-fourth, under Colonel Fox. They ar
rived at William street at 2.35, and took
up positions near the 65th. Camp fires
were lighted and the men camped for the
night. Other detachments of the two
regiments follow later ON. The soldiers
will not be used for patrol duty, but will
be held to put down disturbances.
Shortly after dark last night fire broke
out in an empty box car opposite the
Lackawanna Hotel. 1t was believed to
be of incendiary origin. Batta lion Chief
Petzing and his men put out the fire,
confining it to the car in which it started.
After this incident there was quiet until
the arrival of the military. A few trains
passed through but no attempt was made
to molest them. Though the strikers
were not gathered in large groups they
were scattered through the yards and
were seen here and there evidently
watching events and doing picket work.
| Livery HOW duu Ilcu tOI pOuOCo WOlO VA
ploded indicating that the strikers had a
code of signals for the purpose of con-
veying information to each other.
Attorney Daniel H. Mcmillan and sew
eral officials of the New York Central
called on Sheriff Beck about l o'clock this
morning and demanded protection for
Although their men had not
struck the company had received
intimations that they might do SO, and
trouble was feared. This morning there
was no indication of strike on the Cen
trail. 1t is known, however, that a COM
mittee of switchmen were sent to Super
intendent Burrows of the Central, yes
terday, for conference. Mr.. Burrows
was out along the road, and the state
| ment of the men was telegraphed to him.
A reply was received, but it gave the men
no satisfaction.
ALBANY, N. Y, August 16.-There has
been some lively and hot discussion in
this city between state authorities and
labor leaders as to the power of the sheriff
of Erie county to order out the troops,
and it is understood that the brigade
commander only consented to order out
sections of that body when he had salts
fed himself by telegraphing to headquar
ters here, and had been told that the
sheriff power was grounded on law.
The Back Bone Broken.
BUFFALO, N. Y, August 49, The
back bone of the strike appears to be
broken. This is due to the action of
Gen. Doyle, who is also general northern
freight agent of the Lehigh, in calling
out the militia. The military have stood
guard since morning at Williams street
yards, and the Erie and Lehigh Valley
have been enabled to move freight trains
to-day for the first time since Sunday.
250 non-union men have been at work all
day shifting cars and making up trains.
The State board OF arbitration arrived
to-day for the purpose of Investigating
and arbitrating between switchmen and
Reading and Erie roads. A conference
was held tonight between the board and
Grand Master Sweeney and some of the
leading strikers. 1t lasted until mid
night. At that hour mysterious meet
ing of brakemen and switchmen was
LII r Koic L Io1J