The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-18
STRIKE CALLED OFF
ADDRESS ISSUED BY Ex-EMPLOYEs
OF BROOKLYN TROLLEY LINES.
Their Fight Was One of "DOlIars
Against Empty stomnchs" and the
'.DOllars Won n Victory"

BROOKLYN, Feb. 17-In calling off the
strike on the Brooklyn Heights and the
Brooklyn Queens County and Suburban
railroads, District Assembly No. rs issued
the following address to the public:
Acting in behalf of their employees we
presented the officials of the Brooklyn
Heights and the Brooklyn Queens County
and Suburban Railroad Companies certain
requests for improved conditions of labor ON
their roads for the year 1896. Subsequently
these requests, which were never other than
of the most reasonable nature, were modi-
fed SO as to leave the companies no excuse
for a failure to come to agreements with
their employees. We have exhausted every
honorable means to effect a friendly settle-
ment, but the trolley officials assumed
most uncomprOmising attitude and refused
to make a single concession in response to
and SO far from improving the conditions
of their employees they insisted on terms
less favorable than they had made without
protest In 1894 and previous years. Their
exactionS forced their employees to suspend
labor on Jan. IA last. Since then there never
has been day on which the men have not
been willing to go more than half way in an
endeavor to adjust amicably difficulty that
entailed hardships on the employees as well
as incalculable loss and inconvenience to
the public. The companies have not had
the same consideration for the public, the
same spirit OF compromise. They started
out to starve their employees into submission,
and they have finally succeeded. 1t has been
fight OF dollars against empty stomachs.
and, was to have been expected, the dol
lars have won a victory, though dear one.
Our people. after a heroic resistance, have
civil, the military and in some instances
the judicial powers have all been used to
coerce them.
1--WE desire to return our most sincere
thanks to the organizations and individuals
who have in any way aided our people dur
ing the struggle, and hope our sympa thizers
will never feel the power of corporate OPP
preston. Many OF our people still need as
to keep the from the any f w
suffice, and any citizen, society or news
paper that will help our people in this re-
spect will receive the best thanks of all, with
the hope that the time will yet come when
equal rights will be accorded to all, special
privileges to none and that all will stand
equal before the law
The address is signed by Martin j. Con-
nelly, John Giblin, p. j. Cullins. w. L. Hal
comb and Andrew Best This action on the
part of ID. A. 70 will permit the strikers of
thirty-three roads to return to work, or at
least to apply to be taken back. The strike
against President Norton, of the Atlantic
President Lewis, of the Brooklyn Heights
Railroad Company, said tonight that dur
ing the day about six hundred of the old
men had applied for work. number of
them. he added, had been received back
into the fold and others had s had their is,l.
expected that the remainder of the strikers
would be on hand in the morning looking
Master Workman Connolly is reported
at his home as being very sick. the result
ing the past five weeks as leader of the
strike.
The strike, which has lasted thirty-four
days, has cost enormous amount of
money. Three million dollars is considered
by those directly involved moderate esti-
mate. When the strike started it was
stated that District Assembly No. IS had
from $4,000 to $4,000 in its treasury. About
$4,000 was subscribed by sympathizers. All
this has been spent, and the $35OC0O in
wages the men would have earned has been
lost. The Brooklyn Heights Railroad Com
pany was the heaviest loser among the
roads. 1t is estimated to have lost directly
100000. The other systems have lost close
to $500 coo. The cost to the city and the
State for the troops is expected to exceed
$4,000. The damage done by ears manned
by inexperienced motormen is placed at $780,
coo more, and the loss in earning capacity
by the militia during their stay in Brooklyn
is conservatiyely estimated at $780, Spe-
cial officers and deputies cost Kings and
Queens counties $4,000 and the loss to the
business men of Brooklyn is considered light
when placed at 100000. There were many
other losses to swell the amount, in addition
to the inconvenience and the suffering
caused by the big strike.