The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-03

Entire Force Strike and Not a
Train Is Moving.


AT o'clock last night the entire force
of the Belt railroad, including the train
men, operators. switchmen and the en-
gineers and firemen, in all numbering about
10 men, went ont and traffic on that road
has since been tied up. Some of the men
claim that the company wanted them to do
switching that was properly required of
Panhandle employees. OF this number the
trainmen, conductors, switchmen and the
brakemen number about sixty. The oper-
ators number about sixteen. The Belt has
twelve engines. There is an engineer and
fireman for each engine during the night
and during day. and these. with the extra
men, will make this class number about
thirty.
Yesterday afternoon a meeting was held
by the night men at saloon on Hadley
avenue, and it was decided to go out. That
was what one of the men stated He did
not say whether it was on local RESPONSE
bility or whether it was through the orders
from headquarters. The day men worked
all day yesterday, giving no intimation
that they intended to go out. The crews
delivered the cars as directed until 6
O'Clock. AT that time the crews all board
ed the engines and went to the round
house, which is situated a short distance
from the main Office In west Indianapolis,
and there reported to Train Dispatcher
Dixon. The number of employees who bad
assembled in this vicinity at this time was
estimated at about fifty. They conducted
themselves in an orderly Manner but
acted with precision. The night men did
not show any inclination to start out on
their work, neither did the day men leave
the vicinity until special committee had
seen Train Dispatcher Dixon.
Superintendent Zion had been informed
that the men would strike at o'clock,
went 70 Indianapolis, and was at the dis
patchers Office when special committee,
consisting of Charles Shaw, night brake
man; Harry Bolser, night brakeman, and
Frank Bailey day conductor, accompanied by
several of the strikers, came into the office
and stated that they had come TO confer on
a subject which they supposed the officials
of the road doubtless knew about, namely.
about striking The subject then being
known, it was at once discussed. The COM
mittee said that the men had resolved to
go out Superintendent Zion argued with
them in this light. He said that the Belt
did not handle Pullman, and neither were
its tracks used for hauling Pullmans over
excepting at the Union Station, and he add
mittee We're not affected by this. Superin-
tendent Zion, aided by Train Dispatcher
Dixon. showed them that the pay and their
treatment was a thing that could cause no
grumbling, and they did not see why the
men should go out on strike. The COM
mittee answered respectfully that the men
were going out simply as matter OF
sympathy The members of the committee
said that they belonged to a union and
were loyal TO its requirements. They said
they had no grudge personally against the
management of the road. The committee
said it hoped that no violence would be
used. The committee and its companions
left and Immediately all the employees who
were waiting around the roundhouSe left
the place and the strike was on.
The operators and the switchmen, who
also quit at o'clock, closed the switches
leaving them open for the Belt, and locked
them. They met the trainmen in the vi
cinity of the roundhouSe. Several engineers
and firemen who were at first on the en-
gines ready to go out for night duty re-
manned in their places for awhile, but were
at last induced TO go out. None of the
companys property was injured. The en-
gines were left standing in the roundhouse
and the tracks were left clear. At about
o'clock the majority OF the strikers as
eide upon further action, but the result Of
the meeting could not be learned. \ num-
ber came TO the city after the meeting and
joined in the demonstrations here.
Not a was moved on the Belt, last
night. by employe Of that road. Several
freight trains of the Big Four, the Pennsyl-
vania and the Monor used the tracks to
get to their main tracks, but these trains
We're handled by their own men. The loss
TO the company will amount to a consider
able sum. The average number of cars
handled at night is about one thousand
The average for whole day. of twenty
four hours is about 1900 Last night about
z o'clock two freight trains bound for the
Panhandle yards, just arrived from off the
J.. NJ. & l., went around the Belt TO the
main tracks of the Panhandle There IL
was found that the switches were thrown
wrong. The trainmen refused to throw the
switches because. as they claimed il was
not their duty TO do IL. They said the Belt
men were the ones TO do this, but as the
latter were out. the switches could not be