The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-05-06
THE BUFFALO STRIKE.
Arbitrators Worked Hard to Pre-
vent It's Extension.
STRIKERS WERE UNYIELDING.

The Big strike Prophesied For Yes
terday Noon Was Postponed ut the
Request of the state Board-The
Freight Blockade Increasing.
Buffalo, May 6.-The members of
the state board of arbitration and
mediation worked hard yesterday in
an endeavor to settle the existing
troubles on the docks. Conferences
have been held with the strike leaders,
meetings have been addressed and
speeches listened to, and at midnight
a conference convened at the Iroquois
hotel at which were present representa-
tlves of all the interests involved, and
a most determined effort was made
to bring about a settlement of the
difficulty. While there is every indi-
cation that Contractor Connors is
willing to grant concessions to the
strikers in the way of advanced wages
and the removal of the saloon bosses.
the strikers show a most unyielding
spirit
At 1 o'clock this morning the con-
ference between the different inter
ests were closed. Nothing was ac-
complished. Mr.. Gould, of Cleveland,
as counsel for the Lake Carriers as
sociation, made the argument for the
vessel owners. He said that while the
association would see that the SCOOP
ers would receive fair treatment, it
could not and would not abrogate Mr..
Connor's contract. Representative of
vessel owners in Buffalo and Cleve-
land, and others, pleaded for a settle
ment of the strike, but President Nc
Mahon, of the scoopers' union, and his
associates would consent to moth
ing until the contract system was
abolished and the men allowed to deal
directly with the Lake Carriers as
sociation. Thus the matter stands.
What the next move will be it is i'm
possible to say. The Lake Carriers
association has ordered the masters of
vessels to put their crews at work
shoveling grain. In case the men re-
| fuse, which is likely, another COM
| plication will arise.
A meeting was held yesterday after
noon at which were present fully 1000
scoopers. When a member of the state
| board advanced to the front of the
stage and addressed the men, asking
them if they would return to work If
all their demands save one-that of the
withdrawal of the contract from Mr.
| Connor-were conceded, there was a
great shout of mo, never. We will
not go to work again under any con.
| tractor"
The strike of all union men employ
ed on the docks, which was prophesied
for noon yesterday, did not occur
President Mcmahon, of the scoopers
union, says that at the request of the
state board it was deferred "a hours.
The situation in the harbor is, II
anything, worse than Thursday night
So far this season 80 grain laden boats
have arrived in port. OF this number
but 25 have been unloaded, leaving 81
still to be handled, with the prospect
of further arrivals today.
The freight boats are also beginning
to come in, and there are several now
at the docks waiting for men to handle
their cargoes.
The contractors claim to be work
ing IL elevators, but while this Il
probably true, the number of mel
placed on each boat is so small tha
but little progress is being made.
Trafic on the Erie canal is threat
ened with almost a complete stoppagC
as a result of the strike. Boats arr
arriving with freight to be unloadeC
ana others are waiting here for load
of grain and heavy freight, but mel
cannot be had to do the work.