The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-23
NO WARNING GIVEN,
Strike of Three Hundred Men on
the Chicago Belt Line.
NegOtiatinos Were in Progress for a
Settlement, but the Men Just
Concluded to Quit.
Special to The MORNING CALL

CHICAGO, Feb 22.-Al the switchnen
and switchteDders on the Chicago and
Western Indiana road went on a strike to-
night, and as the read Is the Belt Line, on
which the Louisville, New Albany and
Chicago. the Wabash, Chicago aud Eastern
Illinois, the Chicago and Erie. Grand Trunk,
and Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe enter
the city, not train over those roads was
able TO go out tonight
The strikers this morning presented de-
mands for an increase OF % per cent in
wages to President Thomas and Superin-
tendent Warner of the Belt Line, and a
long conference resulted. The officials were
not ready to grant the mems demands im-
medately. and another meeting was ar
ranged for later in the day.
As late as 4 o'clock President Thomas
had declared that there would be no strike.
and the swltchmen said the same thing
two hours later. Without warning and
with no further developments in the nego-
tiations the men quit work and business
was at standstill.
Nothing was known OF the strike until a
suburban train was halted at Sixteenth h street
by an open switch. Signals were given TO
;he engineer to "Come ahead" but as he
him ne declined to move and the passen-
gers were compelled to alight and seek
other means of reaching their homes. The
strikers do not exceed 800, but there is a
probability that the strike may spread to
other roads. The police were at once noli-
fed. but so far the men have shown a
peaceful disposition.
The police were later reinforced by de-
foa r
OF detectives and watchmen employed by
the road. The latter began work on the
switches and the belated trains were made
up and the last of them sent out by mid
night The prospects for a settlement of
the difficulty are not bright, as President
Thomas declares that the men acted in bad
faith with him and did not keep their agree
ment as to the leEgth Of time he was to
have to consider their demands. He is dis
posed, he says, to grant anything reason
able, but states that the mems action re-
leased him from all obligations or promises
he may have made.
TOPEKA, Kans., Feb. 22.-J. c. Eyersole,
chairman OF the grievance committee.
made this statement to-day about the al
legged threatened strike by the Santa Fe
switchmen: Nothing has been said about
the strike and Grand Master Wilson has
sent out no circular authorizing the demand
for an increase of % per cent. We represent
only the Santa Fe proper and the advance
We asked for amounts to about 25 cents
man per day. This demand has been re-
fused and Wilson is coming to talk the
matter over with the men here 10 see what
is best TO be done. No strike has been
threatened and the men are at work as
usual"
The Santa Fe switchmen confirm the re-
ported refusal OF the demand for increased
wages, but say they do not expect to be
ordered to strike until all other means fail.
RATION. n. Mex. Feb. 22.-The machln-
lists employed by the Atchison. Topeka and
Santa Fe Railway at Ration and Las Vegas
went out on o strike at 4 o'clock this after
noon.