The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1894-04-23
IT HAS A GLOOMY LOOK
Yesterday Brought Little Evidence Of
Settlement In the Strike.
THE MILITIA ORDERED OUT
Some Sensational Rumors That
Have Given the City of Butte
Much Concern-The Men
Determined.

Butte, April 22.-The Great Northern
strike is all in tangle tonight. The
rumors and sensational whispers which
have been floating around all day have
had the result of arousing public interest
to about the top notch, and there is gen.
eral anticipation Of some kind Of trouble
tomorrow, although no one seems 10
know in just what shape it will come.
Late this afternoon telegram was re-
ceived from President Debs in which he
stated there was q strong probability Of
arranging satisfactory terms in very
short time and that victory was assured.
This message naturally created
a good deal Of satisfaction at the strikers
headquarters and the good news spread
so rapidly that the rooms were soon
crowded with railroad men. A commit
tee Of three left Helena for st. Paul this
morning, but it is believed that this COM
mitteo is to be simply advisory to Presi-
dent Debs. The strikers have the most
complete confidence in Mr.. Debs and
they are perfectly willing that he should
represent their case single-handed.
Shortly after President Debs' message
was received the executive committee of
the strikers lear I'd, on what they consid-
cred good authority, that an effort will be
made 10 run train out of Butte to-mor-
row morning under the new ruling of tho
attorney general that every mail
train was unit. II was whispered that
the deputy United States marshals who
were sworn in this afternoon would be
used in protecting this train instead of
preventing CoXey's army from resorting
TO violence as was the general understand
ing. Companies B and Z Of the national
guard would be called out for the same
purpose tomorrow morning.
When these stories were reported at
the strikers headquarters they produced
a decided change IN the men who were
gathered there. Dark looks took the
place of smiles and there were ominous
mutterings that indicated serious trouble
in the event of an effort being made to
move passenger train tomorrow or any
other time.
When STANDARD reporter visited head
quarters later on this evening Mr.. Sherris
stated that while the men arc led to hope
for an early settlement of the strike from
President Debs' message. they are thor
oughiy prepared for any emergency that
may arise in the meantime. He would
say nothing further than this, nor would
he tell what preparations had been made.
From remarks dropped by the strikers,
however, and individual opinion expressed
it is plainly apparent that an attempt to
run train out of Butte with passenger
coaches attached will be followed by Sc
rious results. Tho men are thoroughly
aroused now, and while they will not in
terierc with the running of mail cars in
any way, their actions are proof that they
will not allow any passenger coaches to be
handled without making vigorous fight.
some of tho strikers profess not to believe
that any attempt will be made to run q
train, but this opinion is not shared by tho
majority by any means.
Marshal McDermott states emphatically
that the deputies he has sworn in will not
take any part in the Great Northern strike
but will devote their time 10 protection of
the Northern Pacific property from the
Coxeyites.
The militia understand that they are
called out to keep the Coxey men from
doing any damage. A number OF the
| members of the three companies who
were seen tonight said they would all
throw down their arms should they be
| called upon TO assist the Great Northern
| TO handle trains. Orders were issued to-
night TO all members of companies i, I
| and G TO report at the armory at 30
o'clock Tomorrow morning. Tho deputy
United States marshals are instructed to
meet at o'clock, and in spite of the de-
mails that either the deputies or militia
| are TO be used in the Great Northern
trouble, il is regarded as rather significant
| that they should both DO called out at an
hour shortly before that at which il is re-
ported an effort will be made to move a
train. This in face of the fact that il Is
not generally expected that the Coxeyites
will make any trouble tomorrow.
In the meantime. the strikers are moi
idle by any means. Among other things
they are keeping close watch on the
round house, and an attempt to fire up an
engine will be followed by movement on
their part. Developments are awaited
with great deal Of interest.
Captain Palmer Of the Butte & Boston
| company waited on the strikers commit.
tee this evening and requested them TO let
the Montana Union men take 10 box cars,
which are at the Northern Pacific trans.
fer. to the Butte & Boston works. lie
said that unless cars could be secured on
which TO load the matte now on hand the
Butte & Boston properties will all nave to
close down tomorrow.
/ The committee would not agree to this
| proposition. They did not want TO sec the
| Butte & Boston close down, but Mr.. Sher
ris pointed out to Mr.. Palmer that III,
Northern Pacific and Union Pacific botl
have plenty of ears on hand which could
be loaded with matte and kept here until
the strike ends, and By following this plar
there would be no need of shut down
The mileage charges for each Northern
Pacific or Union Pacific car to Grea
Falls and back would be about s. so PEI
car and it is within the power OF the Grea
Northern management, Sherris said, io
waive these charges and thereby enable
the Butte & Boston to continue opera
;ions. II the Great Northern would not dc
this, Mr.. Shcrris said, the road would be
responsible for the shut down and not the
strikers.