The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-07-26

on the side of the freight house. where
it could be read by the men as they left
their work for dinner
The police anxiously awaited the twelve
O'clock whistle 1t had no sooner sounded
the noon hour when hundreds of freight
handlers came rushing out They looked
very sullen when they saw the number
of police officers who We're on the scene.
Many of them carried their coats on their
arms, something unusual. 1t was thought
by many persons in the crowd that these
men were in sympathy with the strikers
in New York and had no intention of CO.
ing back to work unless they received
twenty cents an hour. The men sought
the nearest saloon, where the subject of
the strike was discussed. None of the
freight handlers got drunk, however
About l2:30 o'clock word reached the po-
lice that the strike wouold probably be
averted, as Father Brady of St. Mary's $
Church would address the strikers before
Agent Welsh announced the company's $
ultimatum.
Promptly at one o'clock, true to his
word, Agent John Welsh, who has super
vision of Pier K. stepped to the platform
and said:-
Il took the matter before the officers
of the company and / discussed the stu
alton fully. They were unable to give me
a decided answer as yet They We're
pleased, however, at the action you took
when the New York strikers tried to in,
terfere with you. They liked the way
YOU men listened to me and returned to
your work to await my answer. / am
your friend, and will always be. I hope
you will all go back to work and hope
you will profit by what Father Brady has
to say concluded Mr.. Welsh
Father Brady's address to the men was
as follows My dear men. this moment
is an occasion of vast Importance for
each and every man here. am here as
your friend. / have always been inter-
ested in you and am now and my sym
pathy goes out for you. The company
can stand great losses by. strikes, which
you cannot Accept arbitration. Let the
peaceful and practical way. Arbitration
is conciliatory and instructive.
"A man who encourages strike is an
enemy of the public peace, and he will
destroy public harmony. Again, whom
do these strikes harm? Think of your
wives and the little ones, who when you
reach home after work, throw their arms
about your neck, kiss and caress you.
They are the ones you have to look TO
and provide for. So men don't be foolish
and go about this matter in a headstrong
way. Arbitrate.
During the eight years before 1888, ac-
cording to statistics furnished by Unit
ed States Commission there we're 5.l5
strikes There were 1,Sf9;292 men engag-
ed in them. The men during that time
lost s77, ,5ss S24. The companies did not
lose one-half that amount. Go settle the
difficulties with your superiors in a sem
sible manner. They have the sense OF
justice and honesty, and by appearing
before them in proper manner you will
gain by it. Select a committee from
among you to go before the heads of the
company and ask for the settlement of
the difficulty peacefully In unity is
strength You have perfect right to
look for your rights, and by your united
efforts to strengthen each man you are
trying to acquire an ultimate end.
Don't go about it by striking, because
strikes bring about trouble They are an
enemy of the public peace; they encourage
and intemperance. I thank you
for your kind attention. Let every man
go back to his work and await the re-
suit of his committees work. concluded
Father Brady
AS the well known priest stepped from
the platform he was greeted with pro-
longed cheering from the mouths Of the
men who had threatened to strike only
few seconds before.
Thomas F. Conroy next spoke few
words to the men and asked them to go
back to work.
The men. without a moments hesita-
ton, went to the Office and got their
checks emitting them to work this after
noon Several New York strikers got
mixed up with the local men and did
their utmost to get them to quit
Chief Murphy saw this. He sent
squad of men to disperse the New YORK
strikers Every man in the yards was
forced back to the street NO one was
permitted to stand about.
After the yards had been cleared several
detachments of police were sent TO the
keystone Restaurant in the Pennsylvania
Railroad depot, where the men had din
ner. They returned to the scene of the
strike TO dispose of any New York men
who might visit the yard.
The police will remain in the vicinity
of the dock until late tonight, when all
appearances of trouble disappear.
Chief Murphy said this afternoon that
he did not think that the strike is over
by any means. The Chief will do all in
his power to avert trouble.
President McGill of the Police Board
who was on the scene during the entire
demonstration, complimented Chief MUIR
ply on his arrangements. The Chief will
no doubt receive a complimentary letter
from the Board at its next meeting
Up to the time of gonig to press tho
freight handlers had not appointed the
committee to confer with the directors
of the company. 1t is thought that
meeting will be held sometime this even
ing when matters will be fully discussed.
pFNNSY'S RESERVE FORCE