The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-08-20
Special to the RrcoRD-USroN.


BUFFALO, Aug. 19.-Unless new COM
plications develop before morning in the
switchmen's strike, by the result of the
the efforts of the railroads tomorrow
shall be judged the status of the strike.
The companies claim they have sufficient
men to operate the roads if proper pro-
lection is given them. Two thousand
troops were ordered out, but they claimed
they would not be sufficient, and 5000
more were ordered out ard are here.
Their assignment to duty at all points
where the companies feel there might be
danger has been going forward to-day,
and tonight every command had been
assigned to duty.
Careful inquiry demonstrated beyond
doubt that the companies have sufficient
men to man the roads. To be sure, the
strikers say the men being held in readi-
ness are restrained from their liberty;
also that the men here hired to work on
Western roads, and did not know they
were expected to work on the tied-up
roads III Buffalo. If these allegations are
true the men may desert upon the first
opportunity. 1t is not deemed probable,
however, that such desertiOns would con-
stltute more than a small minority of
of those now waiting to work.
The Lake Shore road has enough men
in the yards tonight to man the usual
number of switching engines The Erie
to-day moved five trains, and have in
quarters more than the number of men
usually employed.
The second feature of the strike is what
can and will be the next stroke of the
leaders against the railway interests.
The conviction is that efforts are being
4 i
from work OF flremen or trainmen, or
both. The tiremen are holding meet
ing, the outcome of which may be a de-
termination to quit work
Master Workman Sweeney this even
ing made an attempt to secure an arbitra-
ton of the differences. He addressed
letters to the affected roads, reciting the
history Of the case, and offering to sub
init the case of the strikers to arbitration.
The Erie responded that the matter
would be referred to headquarters. The
Lake Shore disputed the allegations in
5weeney's letter, and the Central sharply
declined arbitration, as had done the
Reading before.
Briefly. the situation is as follows: The
only trunk line uninterruptedly carrying
freight eastward is the Delaware, Iacl<a-
wanna and Western. One Of the West
ern trunk lines from this city, the Lake
Shore, is cloggcd, and the Grand Trunk
OF Canada is threatened with a strike.
The Michigan Central, the other trunk
feeder westward, is involved like the
Lake Shore, III the fortunes of the Cen
trial, and only the success of to-morrOW's
efforts of the roads to move freight freely
is now TO be relied upon for eastward
carrying Of traffic. At exactly this point
the tactical position Of the Lackawanna
is brought strongly to light. This po-
sition Of the Lackawanna is Just as thor
oughly appreciated by the strike leaders
as by any others, and the importance OF
which the men upon that line will con-
clude to do as TO sympathetic strike is be-
yOnd cavil.
Master Workman Sweeney this even
ing received deputation from the Grand
Lodge ofSwitchmen of Pennsylvania The
audience lasted nearly an hour, and it
was impossible to learn what transpired.
Third Vice President Webb of the Cen
trail SAID tonight that so far as his road
is concerned the strike is entirely over.
The only troubles reported during the
day were when ardmaster Barrett tried
TO bring a string OF freights to East Buff
1alo under protection of the troops. He
was stoned, but not seriously injured.
No arrests were made, and the soldiers
didn't open fire.
Tonight Switchman Bowen of the
Lake Shore was on top of a car. when
striking SWltchmen climbed up and
attacked him. Bowen drove the
strikers Off, however, after receiving a
severe cut on the head Later when
Bowen had occasion to quit the train he
was attacked again and received several
cuts around the head. He was taken to
the dining car and an ambulance sent for.
When Bowen started for the ambulance
lie was struck III the face by a striker,
who was subsequently arrested.
Mutterings were heard ali day among
the Grand Trunk switchmen, and it is
believed they will join the strikers when
ever the word comes. One hundred and
1iity cars of Erie freight are standing in
the Grand Trunk yards at Victoria, on
the Canadian side, and the switchmen re-
fuse point blank TO handle them. Should
strike occur on the Grand Trunk, there
is hardly reason to doubt that the mill
tary of the Dominion would be called
out.
Late tonight, while men were hand
ling freight cars OF the New York Cen
tral, a crowd gathered on the Lacka-
wanna trestle and jeered the men al
work, and finally began throwing stones
and bricks. The Workmen escaped, but
two soldiers were struck by missiles
though not seriously hurt. x detach-
ment of soldiers was sent to the trestle
but the mob fled. 1t is reported that q
trainload OF soldiers were attacked by
strikers in East Buffalo and stoned. and
also that several arrests were made in
consequence.
YARDS GLUTTED WITH FREIGHT.
BUFFALO, Aug. lit now appears
that the railroad telegsapherS are III close
accord with the other organizations and
may take hand in the fight
Freight is moving very slowly in all oi
toe affected yards to-day.
delegation OF the strikers called on
the Sherlf this morning and remon-
strsted with him for calling our the
troops. They said that if he would send
the troops away they would guarantee
that no violence would take place.
Some OF the yards are so glutted with
freight that even the passenger trains
could not get to the depot to-day, and the
passengers had TO alight some distance
out and walk in.
This afternoon the Lehigh and Erie be-
gan the resumption Of their freight trat-
tic. The Lake Shore has men and are
waiting until they know absolute pro-
lection is at hand before clearing the
yards. Work will be commenced in
Cead earnest TO- morrow. It is Clear that
while the soldiers are here the roads viii
he able TO resume and continue freight
business.
The Erie Company paid off Yesterday.
and the Lehigh and Lackawanna paid
their employees to-day. The officials are
apprehensive that il the contest is to come
it may fairly be expected tonight The
reasoning is that with money in their
pockets the men, or at least a portion OF
tnem, viii soon have liquor in their
stonlachs. The officials fear cooler heads