Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-05-05


AT ALL LAKE PORTS MAY BE
CALLED OUT, AND COMMERCE
COMPLETELY BLOCKED-FIRST
ORDER TO STRIKE GOES INTO
EFFECT AT NOON TO-DAY, IF
THE SHOVELERS' STRIKE HAS
NOT BEEN SETTLED BY THAT
TIME.
Buffalo, N. Y, May AT noon to-
morrow, unless the grain shovelers
win their fight against the contractors
before then, all union men employed
along the docks in this city will quit
work That will include the coal
beavers, tally men, stationary engin-
GERS, firemen and all other men en-
ployed in the elevators, freight houses
and other establishments on the docks
About $500 men will be affected by
this move, in addition to the 1900
grain Shovelers already on strike.
Henry c. Barter, of Detroit, secre-
tary of the executive board of the In
ternational Longshoremen Associa-
ton, who is in the city, has called
meeting of the board for Saturday and
an endeavor will be made by them to
bring about settlement of the pre-
sent trouble. Should the effort prove
fruitless it is possible that all the
longshoremen employed on the docks
in the great lake cities may be called
upon to quit work. Individually, Mr..
Barter is opposed to the strike of the
grain shovelers and upholds the con-
tractors, but he cannot speak for the
board, Until action is taken by the ex-
ecutive board there will be no move
made at outside ports to aid the strik-
ers. To-day the situation was further
complicated by the refusal of some 700
freight handlers to go to work under
Contractor Connors The men saw
that they are not striking out of SYM
pathy for the grain shovelers, but in
order to get rid of the middlemen or
contractors and secure an advance of
wages from 25 to 80 cents an hour. So
far but two or three freight boats have
arrived here, but string of them is
looked for, beginning tomorrow.
An important event tonight was the
unseating by the United Trades and
Labor Council of the delegates from
old scoopers' union No. 81. 1t was
expected that the delegates from the
new union formed by the strikers
would be seated, but this was deferred.
The action of the council virtually
makes all the men now working for
the contractors non-union men.
The work of unloading the big feet
OF grain carriers now in port proceed
ed Slowly to-day, and tonight there
are between thirty and forty boats in
the harbor waiting to be unloaded.
The action of the Lake Carriers AS
ISOLATION in notifying Contractor Con-
nor that they would support him in his
fight has given considerable strength
to the contractors. 1t is said tonight
that the association has decided for
the present to relieve the contractors
from paying demurrage for delays to
boats during the continuation of the
strike.
So far the efforts of the State board of
arbitration to bring about a settlement of
the trouble proved fruitless. Meetings
have been arranged for, but representa-
tives of the different factions either failed
to appear or arrived after the board had
closed their session. 1t is the intention of
the members of the board, however to
bring about a meeting or the different
parties tomorrow if at all possible and
something may result in the shape of a
settlement.
James Corrigan, of Cleveland, president
of the Lake Carriers Assoc. alton, arrived
| In the city tonight and in an interview
stated that the association intended to
stick by Mr.. Corners and in case it should
! become apparent that he is unable to full
ul his contract and unload all the grain
sent to this port, the grain will be ship
ped to Cleveland, Erie and down the ST.
Lawrence by the Canadian canal route
The only effect of the strike. said Mr.
Corrigan, if it is continued, will be to de-
stroy Buffalo's grain shipping interests
CLEVELAND, Ohio. May 4.--Captain
James Corrigan, chairman of the execu-
tive committee of the Lake Carriers As
ISOLATION, has gone to Buffalo. where he
Will endeavor to secure a speedy settle
ment of the grain shovelers strike and TO
ase the grain blockade at that port. Of
fcials of the Lake Carriers Association
stating that unless the demands of the
grain shovelers were granted the entire
commerce of the lakes would be tied up
declined TO discuss the matter further
than TO say that they did not believe the