The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-08-20

Grand Master Sweeney Makes Proposals to
Roads Affected by the Strike.

Grand Master Sweeney Makes Proposals to
Roads Affected by the Strike.
BUFFALO. N. Y, Aug. 19.-Master Work
man Sweeney, this evening. addressed to
officials of tied-up roads formal letter re-
citing the history of the demands of the
switchmen for ten hours, work at previous
rates, for overtime. and the right of ap-
peal of discharged or suspended switchmen
to higher authority. He then proposes ar
bitration. of the differences between the
roads and the men by three persons, one
each to be chosen by either side and the
third by these two. The communication
concluded as follows:
II this proposition should be favorably con-
sidered by you, and pending final conclusions OF
the committee settlement, that 1t be agreed
that the ewitchmen who, prior to Aug. II, 1892,
were employed on your road and such other EN-
ployes Of your road who have since been dis
Charged on account of their refusal to do switch
mems work, be permitted to resume their former
employment
The Lake Shores response to Mr.. Swee-
ney's letter contradicts many of his state
ments with regard to the company's action
toward it's men, and concludes without
definite statement as to what course would
be taken by the company.
Our records show" said Grand Master
Sweeney. to-day. "that over seven hundred
non-unlon men have been brought into the
city during the strike. We have sent some
away. some have. gone away themselves
and we suppose the others are held pris-
yards and at maohine.shops, for
they are not working in the yards.
An engne-load of 'scabs was run mp and
down the New York Central and Hudson
River yards, to-day. to learn the new men
the switches. After that the men wanted
to get away. but the soldiers would not let
them go. 30 my men report TO me-"
Grand Master Sweeney this evening re-
celved deputation from the Grand Lodge
of Switchmen OF Pennsylvania. The au-
dience lasted nearly an hour. and when it
was concluded the three men retired. They
would not tell the nature of their business
with MIR. Sweeney, nor would Mr.. Sweeney
furnish any details when the delegation
had retired.
The troops, seven thousand strong, though
to-day in the city, had not all reached
their posts, ana the picket lines will not
all be complete until tomorrow. Prac-
tically there has not been appreciably
greater protection in the various yards
than yesterday, but nevertheless the Con-
tral handled seventeen trains and the
other roads combined handled eleven
trains. q total of twenty y-eiRht.
Mr.. Webb of the Central, said to- ght:
1--WE have been handling freight at all of
our yards. stations and terminals. We
have hired some new men and taken back
some of the old men who felt reassured on
the arrival of the troops. We have now q
full night and day force at every point,
and are doing as large business to-day rs
we did month ago. with the single excep-
tion of our interchange with the Lake
Shore, which Is taking but few cars on ao-
count of the trouble. This morning we
had not more than l50 cars accumulated at
East Buffslo waiting to go East, and in the
next twenty -four hours We shall send out
probably 1000 10 1,400 cars. So far as the
Now York Central is concerned. the strike
Is entirely over"
This afternoon the Lehigh and Erie rail-
ways began III earnest the resumption of
their freight traffic. The Lake Shore has
new men and Is waiting until it knows
that absolute protection Is at hand before
clearing it's yards. This work will be CON-
menced in dead earnest tomorrow. 1t is
| clear now that while the soldiers are here
| the roads will be able to resume and con-
| tinue their freight traffic. Should the
comp mplications would arise that can be m et
and measured only when they have ar
| rived.
The Erie yesterday run its pay car
| through East Buffalo in the y ards at Louisi-
| ana street Evidently the strikers had been
notified to report there for their pay and
| discharge. The men gathered without
| demonstration about tho car, being held
| away some distance, however, by at least
| two hundred troops who surrounded it, A
| passage way was made through two lines
| of soldiers. and through this passage way
| the men were permitted to pass up to the
| pay window, where they received their
envelopes in grim silence and turned
| away. The pay car of tho Lehigh Val
| ley road rolled mp to the station at
| William street this afternoon The strikers
wcrc waiting near. The car was surround
ed by Gordon of troops. and the meE were
| admitted TO receive their pay. The Lack
awanna company also paid Off it's en-
ployes to-day. While it may be stated
| that the Erie and Lehlgh officials are not
| alarmed, they are apprehensive that If =
contest is TO come between the strikers and
| the troops. it may fairly be expected soon.
| The reasoning Is that. with money in their
| pockets the men. or ut least a portion of
| them, will become intoxicated. Should
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