The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-07-29
THEY'RE L|VIN' EASY.
Police on Strike Duty Are
Pleased With Their
Lot.

From the present indications there win
be strike among the Jersey City
freight handlers of the Pennsylvania
Railroad for at least two weeks to come.
The men appear to be grateful for the
concessions made at yesterdays confer
ence. The fact that they will not be
compelled to work on Sundays during the
month of July and August has found
much favor among them and getting
their pay without losing time also pleases
them.
In return for these concessions the men
have agreed to give the company at least
two weeks to decide upon the increase of
pay The men this morning announced
that they would continue with their work
and talk no more of striking until the
two weeks are up
The freight handlers feel that they have
gained much by the protests made. They
hope in the end to carry their point and
secure twenty cents an hour for their
work instead of seventeen cents which
they are receiving at present.
The Rev. Father Daniel J. Brady, Of
St. Mary's R. c. Church, who, when the
strike was imminent. counseled the men
to arbitrate rather than fight, is taking
an active interest in the negotiations
which are now pending between the
freight handlers and the officers of the
Pennsylvania Railroad. He has declared
his intention of appealing to the direc-
tors of the company in behalf Of the men
whom he befriended last Wednesday.
He will use all of the influence of which
he is possessed to secure the men the
wages they ask. He believes that
fine men earn all they can get.
While there is no fear that the Jersey
City freight handlers will strike at pres
ent. there is so much feeling among the
New York men and certain element IN
this city. that it is necessary to keep a
force Of police in and about the yards Oh
the company to protect the freight ham
dlers who failed to strike in sympathy
for the New York strikers and to guard
against the destruction of the railroad
property Twenty policemen and Rounds
men Toppin and Richards OF the Gregory
street station have been detailed to guard
the property and have been relieved from
all other duty. They are only allowed 10
90 to their homes to change their ciotn-
ing.
Ordinary strike duty is considered lrK-
some and is evaded by the police as much
az nossible. This was a fact at the pc
ginning of the trouble and considerable
grnmbling resulted among the men who
were forced each morning 10 go to the
railroad wards. This was before matters
were svstematized Now the policemen
who are doing strike duty are envled py
their fellows and there Is scarcely man
= tba denartment who does not wish the
assignment
THE men at the railroad yards, to use
.ha;r own words. are eHvin' easy" The
fact of the matter is that they are being
treated royally by the Pepnsylvania RAN
road authorities and are in no hurry for
The trouble to end. The men are uneer
tbs command Of Roundsman Nick
,ronnin Toppin has divided his strike
force into regular platoons and mas es-
tablished regular posts for them TO cover
The men patrol for specified numDef
of hours and are then relieved by tne
other platoon. :.
The headquarters of the "strike force
10 at the corner of Greene and First
streets. in Pullman palace car, placed
there by the railroad authorities. Inc
men sleep in this car and during their on
hours they amuse themselves as uney
will.
The car is not the only place the men
find amusement The railroad authorities
try to add in every possible way to the
comfort of the policemen and to make
their work as light as possible. At the
end of Pier K, the principal freight pier,
on which the office of Superintendent
Welsh is built is a large swimming tank
for the use of the officers of the company
At each end of the tank is a trapeze. All
the articles and appliances for the en-
joyment of a swim, shower bath and a
rub down are at hand. This tank has
been placed at the disposal of the men
who are doing duty in the railroad yards
and as soon as they are relieved rush
is made for the tank, where considerable
fun is enjoyed.
The tank is tiled and boarded in. 1t is
so arranged that the water of the river
flows constantly through it. The rounds
men join their men in the tank Gym
nastic contests have caused considerable
pleasant rivalry among them. The rail-
road company looks after the mems
meals. which are served at the Keystone
restaurant. The men are perfectly salts
fed with their lot.