The Dickinson press., 1894-04-28
TO TRY ARBITRATION
NEW PLAN TO SETTLE THE GREAT
NORTHERN STRIKE.
Gov. Nelson Proposes the Plan Of
Arbitration and 1t In Accented by
Mr. Hill-Employes Agree IL the
Conference IL Unsuccexxful.

st. Paul, April 24.-It il not unlikely
that the Great Northern strike will be
over within the ncxk twenty four hours,
Mt least so far as it interfercs with the
peration Of the road. The uncertainty
as to the decision of the strike during
the last few days has created alarm and
dissatisfaction in commercial circles all
through the West, and Gov. Nelson has
been in daily receipt of communications
from business men and corporations all
over the state urging him to use his a,,-
thOrity in bringing matters to a climax.
When the Great Northern offices opene,l
this morning there was a great uncer-
tairty us to the date Of the proposed con-
ference between the officials of the road
and the strikers representatives, as great
as existed Saturday night. Nothing had
been heard of the train supposed to he
bringing Organizer Hogan and his COM
mittec from the West. and the officials
OF the company We're mum with regard
to its policy in the matter. At 10 o'clock
the governors messenger walked into
Mr. Hills private office with commune
cation for the president of the Great
Northern, in the following language:
Executive Department. State of Min
ncsota, St. Paul, April -, 1S94,-Hon.
]. J. Hill. President Great Northern
Railway. Dear Sir: For several days
strike of considerable Dimensions, seri-
ously interfering with the traffic and
| tr:,el of the citizens of our state. has
bt Eli pending OH the various lines of your
read j am not clearly nor fully nd
vised as to the grounds for the strike,
nor am l qualified to sit as an umpire
tEN tk,,k~ ~,
public business has become of such a
grave character, that l, as the chief
peace officer of the state have been ap-
pealcti to for assistance. The people of
cur state have justly gained and always
nrintained IL reputation as peaceful,
lrw.abiding and orderly community,
kere force or violence has never been
In the ascendcnt, and where all contr0-
versies have been adjusted by agree
lncnt or the process of law. | am lOath
to have this reputation darkcned or q
shadow cast upon it, and therefore, in
no spirit OF criticism, deem it my duty
to inquire Of you whether it is not pos
sible, by some plan Of arbitration, to ad-
just and settle the controversy involved
in this strike, and to suggest to you that
earnest efforts be made in this direction
as speedily as possible and in such "a
manner as to avoid further delay and in.
terruption to the public business and loss
to all concerned. In the meantime, willie
such efforts are pending, law and order
must be maintained and the property of
the company must be preserved from in
jury or destruction at all hazards. Re
spectfully,
| -"Knutc Nelson, Governor"
l a
officers of the company We're ut once
called into conference with President
Hill and the letter of inquiry from the
governor was promptly considered. In
fifteen minutes from the time of its re.
cc:pt Mr.. Hill was debating the ans Hcr
of the Great Northt,n, which was ut
cncr forwa; dal to the executive office.
He agrees entirely with the governors )
81 ggestiOn.
President Debs was writing Il lett ,r
to the governor when IL reporter called
upon him to ascertain what answer he
would give to the proposition for arbitra-
ton. He said:
"As soon as the full co mmittee can ar
rive in st. Paul it will call on Mr.. Hill
and entleavOr to come to IL satisfactory
crd complete settlement of the dispute.
have every confidence that they will
b. able to accomplish this, but should it
not be successful it will doubtless agree
to any other method that may result in
settlement. The men will be just us
fnil as the company in the whole mat
ter This is the tenor of my reply to the
governor which ] am Eow writing
Commissioner Spencer this morning
continued the hearing in the Foster and
II. Il. Egbert cases to Saturday next,
they having previously been set fer to-
day. Lloyd B. I;gbcrt and Charles j..
Cowley gave bail this morning in the
total sum of $500. 500 for rctar,ling the
mails and $4OO for conspiracy to delay
the mails. The surctics were james
Quinlcvan and Charles i. Miller, both
of st. Cloud. Paul Bcaudreau also gave
bail in the same sum with Frank A.
Bcaudrrau ana Isaac Solomon as his
surtties. The ease Of Olson was contill-
ued until Wednesday. He has not sue.
cee'led in raising bail and has little pros.
pect of securing surctics.