The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-06-25
THE WARON PULLMAN
Method of the American Rail-
way Union Boycott.
III Necessary the Railroads VIII Be Tied
Up-Ths Troubrs Likely -
BE serfous-

ST. LOUIS, June 24-At an executive
session of the local branch Of the Ameri-
can Railway Union held here today the
unpublished portion of the recent pro-
ceadings Of the union AZ Chicago
was detailed TO the members pres
emit Ii consists of plans made
TO assist the strikers at Pullman
in their fight against the Pullman Palace
Car Company. Their next move viii be
the calling out of the workmen in the
shops at St. Louis and Ludlow, KY. After
all the workmen are out the switchmen in
the yards will refuse TO make up any train
with Pullman cars. Trains viii be made
up as usual, but the switchmen win refuse
absolutely to handle Pullman car. This
order will be extended over practically the
whole country. Should the receivers
manage to get Pullman cars on any
train. then the crew, engineer, fire.
man, conductor and brakemen, viii refuse
to take out any train, and should the COM
pany discharge any swltchmen for refus-
ing to handle Pullman cars every
man belonging 10 the union and
employed on that road viii be
called out within six hours. Ii was
carefully explained. however, that this
fight was not against the railroad COM
panies, and thu hope was expressed that
it would not be necessary to call out the
employees of any road.
SAN Francisco. June 24.-Just what
effect the boycott which is to be instituted
by the American Railway Union against
the Pullman Palace Car Company on
Wednesday next will have on the trains
of the Southern Pacific is matter OF con-
siderable speculation among railroad
men. The officials at Fourth and Towns
end streets profess not to be worried
about the matter. They. have not been
convinced that q boycott has been de-
ciared on Pullman cars, and il a boycott
has been declared they are not certai nthat
their employees are identified with the
American Railway Union and will take
hand in the fight against the Pullman
Company. One of the Southern Pacific
officials today said:
"If the American Railway Union is as
strong as il claims TO be iI will certainly
tie up every Pullman car in the country.
but there is question whether II has the
membership it claims. The union is work
ing at disadvantage. 1t will certainly
not have the Endorsement of the travelling
public, for person who Is compelled to
travel in day coach across the continent
will damn them every inch of the
way. The Southern Pacific has contract
with the Pullman company to haul
its cars, but don't believe any court of
equity in the country would decide that a
railroad company is guilty of breaking its
contract and liable for damages should it
refuse to carry the Pullman company's
cars under the circumstances. The rail-
road company is not bound to take up the
fight OF the Pullman company against the
Pullman compkny's own employees"
]. p. Meehan, local superintendent of
the Pullman company. expressed the
opinion that the boycott would not result
very seriously, and characterized it as
more of a bluff than anything else. He
said:
81 don't know how well organized the
American Railway Union is, but am not
inclined TO the belief that the organization.
is in a position to stop the running of all
the Pullman cars in the country. The
striking employees are only cutting their
own Threats. However, they have struck
and are going to boycott the company's
cars 1t won't amount TO much. If II does,
and the railroad employees attempt to stop
the running of Pullman cars, i think the
Federal courts Will have something to say
in the matter. 1t is interstate business
It's all speculation, this boycott and the
probable effect of il, and | don't propose
to worry over the matter. We are making
no preparations TO battle with the union.
1t is time TO shake hands with the devil
when you meet him."
Despite Superintendent Meehan's con-
viction that the boycott will not amoant
to much the railroad men about town are
convinced that it will be the biggest con-
flict of the kind the country has ever seen.
c. III. Speers, assistant general passenger
agent of the Atlantic d Pacific
in this city, expressed the be-
lief yesterday that the union would
either have to win or die. Probably so
per cent of the sleeping cars operated in
the United States are Pullman cars" he
said, land every road in the coun-
try except the Vanderbilt lines, the Mis-
souri,, Kansas & Texas and the Chicago &
Northwestern, which handle Wagner cars.
will necessarily be brought into the fight
The American Railway Union has bitten
off big chunk. II ii is well organized it
can tie up the whole country. but thatfact
remains 10 be demonstrated"