The Portland daily press., 1896-10-01
THE CAUSE OF THE STRIKE.
Interview With Assistant Grand Chief
Pierson.


General Manager Tait, when interviewed
last night in regard to the Canadian Pa
cifo strike, said, Regular men who
were paid by she month q settled wage
are engaged upon the understanding that
they shall give two weeks notice before
they leave. Some Of these have left sud-
denly without giving this notice which
they are required alike by an agree
ment with the company and by law to
give; therefore the company is put to
some Inconvenience. We are besieged
with applications for vaoaEt positions
and we are running our business as
usual." "
Assistant Chief Pierson Of the order
of railroad telegraphers, who ordered the
strike, said last night that his reports
showed that there was practically tie
up on the road, and that the situation
was becoming serious.
| II plended in vain with. e-Presloent
ShauRhnessey, he said. "We got mes
saQes from mem bers all along the line,
| urging the order to protect the men who
complained that they are poorly paid.
The company asks train dispatcher to
work for $35 to $40 a month, while In the
United States they get $1a5 and $3.50:
l
presented a basis Of payment which
would introduce this uniformity, but Mr..
IShaughnessey would not listen to me.
The men are compelled to do work
which is only f1t for laborers. They have
to attend to signals, shovel snow, chop
wood, attend TO the tanks. and walk
miles in the snow to carry out their
duties. The telegraphers on the Cana
dian Pacific are not federated with the
engineers, conductors ana brakemen,
but there ia move In this direction
which I believe will be accomplished.
We have large protective fund at our
disposal, which will be ample for our
needs. We simply wanted fair play and
we want the proper parties to get 1t; We
have been refused and this strike is the
result"
Men All Out on Megantic Division.
| ST. John, N. B., September s0.-The
Canadian Pacific railway telegraphe-s
strike Is in full blast on this division,
which extends from this city to MeRan
tia, Quebec. The company is III a Drip
pied condition. Every regular operator
between this city and VAnceboro. Me-,
is out. The officials who understand
telegrnphy are being pressed into duty
ed that there will be much interruption
to the regular passenger trains, but thu
freight business will suffer.
Strike Practically Over.
. Toronto, September so.-superinten
dent Leonard of the Canadian Pacifi
railway, reported this afternoon that tn
/ telegraphers' strike is practically over o,
! that part of the road lying hetweel
t Montreal, Toronto and Detroit. He SAT-
. the operators have nearly all resumes
r work; that all trains are running regn
: larly and the affairs of the road in tha
' section practically assumed norma
r condition.
Reports From Other Places.
;. Toronto, Ont. September 30.-Supt
= Leonard OF the Ontario and Quebec div1
q sion OF the Canadian Pacific railway, de
clared last night that the photographers
strike was practically over on his divi
sion. Between London and Windsor.
, men had returned.
j. North BoothbaY, Ont. September 80
d Only two OF three operators are workin
: between Chalk river and Sault Ste Mari
e along the line of the Canadian Pacific
l. NO freight trains were running yestel
l. day.