The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-08-17
RUMORS OF STRIKE.
Much Restlessness Among
SWltchmen and Freight
Brakemen in Jer-
seY City.
TROUBLE FEARED AT WEEHAWKEN
Progress Of the Contest at Buffalo
Alleged Attempt to Wreck
a Train in New York.

In all the railroad yards in this city,
Hopoken and Weehawken, last night,
switchmen and conductors dropped their
lanterns at frequent intervals and talked
in earnest whispers about the situation
at Buffalo. It was evident that the men
were in sympathy with the Buf
falo strikers and all there was
needed to make them desert
their posts was a slight hint from
the local union of switchmen, of which
nine out of every ten are members.
At the Erie yards the eGects of the big
strike at Buffalo were plainly noticeable.
AT this time of the year many freight
trains from the West, laden with valu-
able merchandise, are due at the big
freight depots. but they are not arriving
this year. For the past few days,
not one through freight train
from the West has arrived at the Jers ey
CITY yard. The yards are almost empty
Trains are made up for the West and
sent away. but che company will not ac-
cept any perishable freight, neither will
it be responsible for delays. Shippers do
not care to send their freight at these
risks. The trains that are sent West
ward are accumulating at points east of
Buffalo when they await the raising of
the blockade. The consequence is that
business is unusually dull In the yards,
thus affording the switchmen and CON
ductors an opportunity to talk about the
with alacrity.
HARD ON FREIGHT HANDLERS.
The strike is being telt by the freight
handlers also. This time Of the year was
usually their busiest, but owing to the
non-arriyal of freight they are lounging
about the yards.
All OF the resorts along Pavonia and
Newark avenues where railroad men con-
gregate were crowded last night and the
sole topic OF conversation was the strike
of their brethren at Buffalo. Many of
them said to me that there was little
chance of a strike among the Jersey City
men, but others shook their heads and
said that they expected to be called out
at moments notice.
oMINoUs TALK.
"There may be strike in the Jersey
City yards at any moment" said one of
the latter ''rhe strike has extended to
many points east of Buffalo and there is
no telling when every yard from here to
Buffalo will be deserted by the men.
This will not be done, however, until it
Is seen that the companies will not yield
AT present the strike question rests solely
with the Association. and whether the
companies will force them to ex-
treme action remains to be seen.
II the companies should make
any effort or decide to employ non-union
men then the men in the Jersey City
yards will surely go out, as no union
man will have anything to do with a car
that has been handled by non-union
men,"
That the railroad companies anticipate
and are holding themselves in readiness
for trouble is shown by the fact
that all of their detectives and private
watchmen are compelled to keep sharp
lookout ard report at their Offices several
times during the day. A meeting CT the
SWitchmen's Union to be held in this city
on Friday had been decided upon, but it
may be held before that time.
SITUATION AT WEEHAWKEN.
The or1lcials at Weehawken are appre-
hensive of general strike of the switch
men along the line from Buffalo to Wee
hawken.
The most important Indication is the
stocking up of private car No. 80, prepara-
tary to d run along the line. 1t is known
that the car is in readiness for a trip at
moments notice, should advices reach
the officials that the strike is extending.
General Superintendent Bradley said
to u reporter this morning: 'Our road
was all right up to six O'Clock and there
had been no strike of switchmcn in Buff
alo Ihave received no word since then :,
and even if there should be strike, we
are confidenbthat we could conduct our
business fully as promptly and satisfac-
torily with men who are not members of
the Union"
Altogether in the Weehawken yards
there are employed about sixty freight
switchmeu and twenty passenger switch
men. That number includes both night
and day forces 1t is believed that fully
four-fifths OF the number are members of
the SWitchmen's Mutual Aid Union, and
If the word should be passed TO 80 out it
is certain that the operations of the road
would be greatly hampered II indeed, in
the case of strike, it did not effectually
block the traffic.
Although Superintendent Bradley as
sured the reporters that the road WAS in
the usual excellent working order at six
o'clock today. the information was OBJ
tanned that the switchmen at Buffalo had
gone out.
AT seven o'clock Superintendent Brad
Several switchmen, however, seemed
to have the knowledge.
Division Superintendent Watson, when
questioned, said he had no information
to give out. The air Of bustling activity
about the offices, however, shows that
the heads of the roads various depart
ments are on the qui vive, and will en-
deayor to checkmate any move that
might be made on their line. Nobody
appears to know when car 80 will start,
but it is hauled into the yard close to
the passenger house and almost directly
beneath Superintendent BradleY's office.