The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-10-18
STRIKE IS STILL BREWING.
GREAT NORTHERN EMPLOYEES IN
CONFERENCE AT ST. PAUL.
Second Committee From Coast d.
vision VIII Not Return Jntil
Trouble Is Saskatchewan Sup

The likelihood Of strike Of no mean
dimensions on the Great Northern still con-
ttnues strong. The subject is the grievance
OF the engineers. tfreunen. hrakemen and
conductors, as tot! II the Post Intellixsnceg
a week ago, The demand for SHORTER hours
OF labor has. IL Is said, Up 10 the present
time been ignored by the road.
On Saturday a new committee, composed
os men working on the Pacific Coast dsvis-
ion, was sent from Seattle To ST. Paul and
today are in secret conference with similar
committees from every division OF the road
They are working quietly u one end-io
force the read 10 put on extra crews 20
assist in handling the through ani local
freight and thus reduce the hours Of labor
Word was received yesterday by those who
have the matter in charge here that tos
committees were meeting in joint secre;
session in ST. Paul and In a few days would
have matters IN such shape as 10 mako
demand upon the officials Of the road
On good authority i, Is stated that an
appeal Is being circulated among those il
rectly concerned TO enlist the sympathies
OF the people along the line OF their differ
eiat divisions and assure themselves OF their
support in case general strike Is declared
The relations between the mana cement OF
the road and the men are now greatly
strained. So far as the Pacific Coast di-
vision is concerned persons interested here
say it stands ready 70 obey the order Of
the general strike committee as soon as IL
Is issued. They are determined 10. secure
redress from what they term inexcusable
grievances. General Superintendent Ward
IS now in North Dakota and Is en- route
To the Coast on a tour Of inspection, it is
given out. Il is stated. however, that his
mission Is to look over the various divls-
ions and IL possible divert the men from
their contemplated action.
One of the local men. who Is IN charge
OF the committees work on this division.
in an interview yesterday said:
we are drawing near TO a crisis. The
men employed by the Great Northern Will
no longer stand the inpositions heaped
upon them The two heaviest divisions are
the two terminals. Ii is not infrequentiy
that on the Pacific Coast division we are
compelled to work thirty-six hours out OF
forty-eight. There is absolutely no reason
for it. The road is doing more business,
both through and local. than ever before
and should put on extra crews.
within two weeks. II no change in the
attitude OF the road occurs. you will see
a general strike along the line. When i,
does come 1t will not alone include the
freight department. but viii take In every
man in the operating department along the
line. petition now being circulated IL
meeting with hearty support Many Of The
men have copies ana exhibiting them
10 shippers OF goods over the road. When
the situation is made plain there are but
few refusals 10 aid the men in case Of
trouble.
The shop men while az yet they have
taken no actual part In the matter stand
ready to do their share. and will stick to
the grievance men. not through sympathy
alone, but because they. to a lesser degree
are affected. The trip OF General Superin-
tendent Ward along the line Will avail moth
Ing. This matter has been discussed among
the men for sixty days past and all are
unit on the subject. The presen; is the
time 10 force a settlement. as later the
road VIII not be so rushed"