The Hawaiian gazette., 1894-08-10
COST OF THE GREAT STRIKE.
Five Millions Will Not Cover the
Railroads Loss.


CHICAGO Ill.}, July 2O.-Now that
the railroads are getting their traffic
in shape and business is assuming its
normal condition, speculation is rife
as to the cost of the great strike to the
railroads and others in Chicago.
All the General Managers can say
at present is that they have INSULT
cient data to hazard an opinion that
could be relied upon. Urged to make
a guess, one of them tonight said the
losses of the roads would reach at least
S5,OOO,OOO, and might go as high as
SS,OOO,OOO.
1t will probably be many weeks be-
fore the Managers can secure figures
for a detailed report. Many things
must be taken into consideration.
The loss occasioned by suspended
traffic will be the largest item, but the
destruction of property will be by no
means small.
HUNDREDS OF CARS DESTROYED.
Nearly 600 Pan Handle cars were
destroyed in one blaze, and of this
number IS are known to have con-
tanned merchandise. 1t will be neces-
sary to learn from the shippers in
voices what those IS cars contained
before any computation of loss can be
made, and that will take much time.
Within the city limits tower houses
Lave been burned and tracks torn up.
Damage has been done in many rail-
road shops, and enormous sums eX-
pended in defending the roads against
rioters.
General Manager st. John, of the
Rock Island road, said yesterday that
the total loss to his company over their
entire line would probably be not far
from S1,000,000.
Counsel for many of the railroads
are already at work drawing up claims
for financial redress from Cook Coun-
ty and the city of Chicago, but figures
are hard to get at. Concerted action
on this line will be taken by the Gen
eral Managers atan early date.
MEN TO SUE RAILROADS.
As an outcome of the strike and its
disastrous effect on the interests of
men, the South Water
to decide upon action in re-
gard to claims against the railroad
companies. Shippers, brokers and
cold storage men are interested. 1t is
on the street that the claims
will aggregate $1,000 and that the
losses of the commission men, direct |
and indirect, would not be less than |
81 100000
The effect on the California fruit |
.rade has been disastrous. The first |
EAR of California fruit to move east
ward in twelve days started yester-
lay. In the four days preceding the
Fourth of July there were 80 ears of
bananas ell route to Chicago, a large |
part of which never reached here.
LOSS TO OUTSIDE SHIPPERS.
Another great cause of loss was that
outside shippers got the idea that
here would be a famine here, and be-
,an to rush in peTishable freight that
lever reached Chicago dealers, and
which Is now scattered all over the
ountry, q dead loss.
One prominent dealer was asked
What legal standing the claims to be
made would have.
~ was in New York." he said, "dur-
ne the troubles of 1877. We shipped
Vest a carload of lemons which were
estroyed at Pittsburg. The consignee
ever received a dollar from the rail-
Dad company, but we sued him and
lie paid our bill. Possibly that will be
he case with the claims here.
IL am satisfied that over $1,000, 900
as been lost, but | am not satisfied
ow the railroads are to be compelled
D pay for cOnsignments which rotted
n the tracks. At the time of the
tTikes they had in force two con-
racts, one with the Pullman COmpa-
Y, and one with the merchants. 1t
7as a question with them which
Ontract they should keep. They de-
ided in favor of Pullman, and now
heir attitude toward the losses of the
lerchants is to be determined"
SUMMING UP THE VICTIMS.
During the strike ten lives were
'st in Chicago and vicinity, including
and forty other persons
re known to have been wounded.
en- railroad accidents occurred, prob
ply chargeable to the incompetence
green men employed to take the
aces of strikers. Two lives were lost j
nd four persons injured in these.
The shedding of blood began July :, 2
hen Deputy Marshal Logan was
lightly stabbed while fighting mob
Blue Island.
July ), when the riots at the stock
lrds began, Edward O'Neill and An