The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-11-20
STRIKE OF THE TRAINMEN.
The Lehigh Valley War May Prove
One Of the Greatest in Years.

lowed to Run Yesterday-An the
Crews Carried Their Trains to Their
Destinations Before Striking-The
Foreman of Engineers a Man With
Nervy Record Back of Him.
Wilkesbarre, Pa, Nov. 19.-Thousands
of men thronged the platform of the
Lehigh Valley station all day to-day, and
although nothing of an alarming nature
occurred, the excitement was intense.
Every incoming train was awaited with
interest, but they were few and far be-
tween. Only mail trains were allowed to
run to-day. the mails being carried on all
kinds of mixed trains. Very few wheels
are turning on the entire Wyoming di-
vision and the people are beginning to
realize that what may become one of the
greatest labor struggles in years has been
inaugurated.
The officials of the company are doing
everything in their power to provide for
the running of through passenger trains
tomorrow, although their success has
been, to say the least, indifferent,
NERvY FOREMAN.
Foreman of Engineers Costello has been
busily engaged trying to secure crews,
but it is not known whether he has sue
ceeded to any great extent. He is the
man who in 1877 took his train out of
Wilkesbarre, although surrounded by
mob numbering 1000 who threatened to
tear him from the cab and kill him if he
touched the lever. With the quiet, but
determined remark: I'm going to take
this train through to its destination, - he
opened the throttle and dashed through
the crowd amid shower of sticks and
stones. 1t is expected, that If necessary,
he will take charge of one Of the through
passenger trains.
THE MAILS NOT DELAYED.
At $3.50 this afternoon it was reported
that the mails were not delayed at any
point, the men conten ting themselves
with preventing other kinds of traffic.
The engineer who left for Bernice with
his train at 3 3:l5 o'clock, was approached
by a committee of strikers at the Wilkes
barre station, and asked to leave his
engine. He replied that the order came
too late, and that he would take his train
through to the other end of the line be-
fore going out. This is the general rule
all along the line. Crews who had re-
ceived the order to strike before taking
out their train, almost invariably pro-
ceeded to the end of the run in compliance
with the law of 1877, which makes il
misdemeanor to abandon train on the
road.
OUT TO A MAN.
AT all points not between Wilkesbarre
and Sayer, the trainmen are out to man
and not a wheel turns, with the exception
of those noted above. 1t is expected that
by tomorrow the road will be tied up
from one end to the other
-Four meetings of the different train
mems organizations were held in this city
to-day, but the utmost secrecy is main
tanned and the men absolutely refuse to
divulge any Of the proceedings. 1t is
the general impression, however, that
the action of the grand officers
in organizing has been ratified, and
the men have pledged themselves
to fight it out to the end The rail-
road yards and the various side-tracks
Of the company in this city and at COXton,
Sugar Notch Fairview and Port Bowk-
ley are blockaded with several thousand
cars of freight and coal. There is no
telling at this writing when any of them
will be moved
THE ROAD REFUSED ASSISTANCE.
1t is reported here tonight that the
Lehigh Valley officials applied to Supt.
Maxwell, of the Central railroad of New
Jersey, to handle some of their freight if
necessary, and that Mr.. Maxwell re-
fused to do so. 1t is also said that sim
liar application was made 10 Supt. Hal
stead, of the Delaware, Lackawana and
Western railroad, and that he also de-
clined. The strikers claim that If this
position is maintained by the completing
roads the strike will be settled within a
week.
ON THE EASTERN DIVISION.
Somerville, N. j., Nov 9.-Everything
has been quiet along the Easton and
Amboy division Of the Lehigh Valley road
to-day, since the employees went on
strike last night at 10 O'Clock.
At Bound Brook three of the employees
struck-the day agent, Joseph Durn, the
night agent, Thomas Eagan, and the
tower man. People who went to the
Bound Brook depot this morning to take
trains, were told there were no trains
running and no tickets could be sold. The
only reason that trains ran to-day at all
seemed to be because the law prohibits
employees from abandoning their trains on
the road.
They must run them to reach their des-
tinatiOn before leaving them. The ma
jority of the trains run over the Lehigh
Valley to-day are those which started be-
fore the strike order was given. 1t is
thought that by tomorrow the whole
road will be tied up completely. There is
no telling how serious this strike may be-
come, as in case the Lehigh Valley people
attempt TO run their trains over the Cen
tral road, Of New Jersey there win be
trouble. II is said on excellent authority
that the Lehigh Valley employees intend
to win the struggle If every railroad en-
ploye in the state Of New Jersey has to
90 out with them. There are now 500 en-
ployes of the LehiRh valley out between
Easton and Jersey City.
no FREIGHT MOVED AT AUBURN.
Auburn, n. Y, Nov. 19.-The mail
trains on the southern central division of
the Lehigh Valley were run as usual
to-day, but all other traffic was at a
standstill. The company's yards in this
city are deserted, and not pound Of
freight was moved.
CAUSE OF THE STRIKE.
Philadelphia, Nov. 19-The grievance
committee Of the Lehigh Valley train
service employees this afternoon gave out
statement of the articles which they
claim were agreed TO at the July confer
ence at Bethlehem, but which were not
posted on the bulletin boards As this IS
virtually the cause of the strike, the mat
ter is important. The articles are:
Conductors or trainmen deadheadlng over
their divisions by order shall be allowed a
days pay. Tie Oldest baggage master in the
service shall have the preference In baggage
cars In all cases Of vacancies.
That uniformed men will not be required to
couple and uncouple hose al places where
engines are changed and trains made up.
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