The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-06
BUFFALO'S DOCK STRIKE
FRUITLEss EFFORT TO ADJUST THE
TROUBLE By ARBITRATION.
Lake Ira file Not All Tied Up. as Pre-
dfcted-Many Arrests of Min
ers mt Wardner.

BUFFALO, y. Y, May 5.-The leaders of
the State Board of Arbitration and Media
ton have worked hard to-day in ar en-
deavor to settle the existing troubles on the
docks. Conferences have been held with
the strike leaders, meetings have been adj
dressed and speeches listened to, and at
midnight a conference Is going on at the
Iroquois Hotel, at which representatives OF
all interests involved are present, ard a
most determined effort is being made to
bring about a settlement of the difficulty.
While there Is every indication that Con-
tractor Connors Is willing to grant conces-
sions to the strikers in the way of advanced
wages and the removal of the saloon
bosses, the strikers show q most unyielding
spirit.
A meeting was held this afternoon, at
which were present fully two thousand
coopers When a member of the State
board advanced to the front of the stage
and, addressing the men, asked them IL
they would return to work IL all of their
demands save one-that Of the withdrawal
of the contract from Mr.. Connors-were
conceded, there was a great shout of mo,
never: we will not go to work again under
any contractor" In the face OF this spirit
the members Of the State board feel far
from encouraged, and, should no agreement
be cache at to-nights conference; the IN
and order q public investigation or the
whole matter.
The strike of all union men employed on
the. docks, which was ~prophesied for noon
to-day, did not occur. President Mcmahon,
of the new scoopers' union, said that, at
the request of the state board, IL was de-
ferred twenty-four hours. The situation in
the harbor Is, if anything worse than last
night. So far this season eighty grain
laden boats have arrived in port. OF this
number but twenty-five have been unloaded,
leaving fifty-five still to be handled, with
the prospect of further arrivals during the
night. The freight boats are also beginning
to come in, and there are several now at the
docks waiting for men to handle their car
goes. The contractors claim TO be working
twelve elevators, but, while this Is prooaoly
true, the number of men placed on each
boat is so small that but little progress is
being made. Traffic in the canal is threat
ened with almost a complete stoppage as a
result of the strike. Boats are arriving with
freight to be unloaded and others are wait
Ing here for loads both of grain and heavy
freight, but men cannot be had to do the
work.
At O'clock this Saturday morning the
conferences. between the different interests
were closed. Nothing was accomplished.
Mr.. Gould, of Cleveland, as counsel for the
Lake Carriers Association, made the argu-
ment for the vessel owners. He said that
while the associ alton would see that the
scoopers received fair treatment, 1t could
not and would not abrogate Mr.. Connor's
contract; Representatives OF vessel owners
for a settlement of the strike, but Presi-
dent Mcmahon, of the new Scoopers' Union,
and his associates would consent to nothing
until the contract system was abolished
and the men allowed to deal directly with
the Lake Carriers Association. Thus the
matter stands. What the next move will
be 1t is impossible to say. The Lake Carriers
Association has ordered the masters OF YES
sells to put their crews at work shoveling
grain. In case the men refuse, which Is
likely. another complication will arise
Bartholomew Conner. secretary OF new
local No. 81, grain shovelers. this after
noon drew a revolver on Secretary-Treas-
urere Barter, of the international Long
shoremen's Union. Barter wrested the re-
volver from him ard ordered him out of the
room. According to Barter, Conner had an
noyed him off and on all day.. Finally, Con-
ner called Barter a liar, and the latter start
ed to open the door TO eject him. Conner
then drew his revolver, but was prevented
from shooting.