Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-05-06
THE BUFFALO STRIKE.
Men Still Out. But Few Working State Board
Will Investigate.

Buffalo. y. s., May 5.-The members
of the state board Of arbitration and
mediation have worked hard, today, In
an endeavor to settle the existing
troubles on the docks. Conferences
have been held with the strike leaders,
meetings have been addressed ana
speeches listened to- and. at midnight,
q conference is going on at the lfoquolS
Hotel at which are present represen-
tatiyes OF all interests involved ana
most determined effort Is being made
10 bring about a settlement OF the dim
Guilty. While there IL every indication
that Contractor ConnOrs is willing To
grant concessions 10 the strikers in the
way of advanced wages. and the re-
moyal OF the saloon bosses, the strikers
show most unyielding spirit.
A meeting was held, this afternoon,
AT which were present fully 1000 scoop
crs When a. member of the state
hoard advanced tn the front OF the
stage and addessng the men asked
them If they would return 10 work If
All their demands save one-that Of
withdrawal Of the contract from Mr.
Connors-were conceded, the:? was n
great shout of No. never. We will not
In the face Of this spirit tn" members
az ire state board feel far from en-
couraged. ana should not agreement
be- reached at tonieht's conference the
board viii cease its endeavors in that
line and order a public investigation Of
the whole matter. The strike OF all
union men employed on the docks
which was prophncied for noon. today.
a ~ IL. 80
the new Shoppers Union. says that at
the request of the state board 1t was de-
ferred q hours.
The situation IN the hlrbor is if any
thing, worse than last night 80 far
this season 50 grain laden boats have
arrived IN port. Of this number but
- have been unloadcd. leaving 50 still
To be handled with the prospect %.
further arrivals during the night The
contractors slllm 10 b. working IL
elevators. but while this II probably
true the number az men placed on each
boat Is go small that hut little progress
is being made.
Traffic on the Erie canal is threaten
M win almost Il complete s.oppagc
ls Y result ~ the strike. Boats are ar
irving with troIsh; to be unloaded ana
others are waiting here for loads both
If grain and heavy freight. but men
cannot DE had a. DO the work
May at o'clock this morning. thn
conference between the different inter-
csts closed. Nothing was accomplish
Cd. Mr. Could of Cleveland. as coun-
sci for the Lake Carriers Association,
made the argument for the vessel own-
crs. He Said that while the association
would see that the sgnopers received
fair treatment IL could not and wou,i
not abrogate Mr.. Cnnuor's contract.
Representatives OF vessel owners in
Buffalo and Cleveland and others
pleaded for a settlement OF the strike.
but President Mcmahon II the new
ScoapcrS Union ana his associates
would consent to nothing until tlc con-
tract system was abolished and The
men allowed 10 deal directly with ihc
Lake Carriers Association.
Thus the matter stands. What tha
next move VIII he 1t IL impossible u
say. The Lake Carriers Association
has ordered the masters OF vessels -
put their crews at work shovelling
grain. In ease the men refuse. which
Il likely. another complication will
arise.