New-York tribune., 1899-07-18
STRIKE ON THE LEHIGH UNLIKELY
RUMORs THAT THE MEN ARE BECOMING
RESTLESS FIRMLY DENIED

Easton. Penn July t7.-There are apprehensions
In some quarters that there may be a strike the
Lehigh Valley Railroad but these fears not
held either by the we'll informed railroad
ployes by the officials The rumors OF a strike
arise from the fact that there local grievances
that some dissatisfaction. and as these exist
at various places those who always looking
for labor troubles and disappointed when they
do not are protesting TO see in the situation
grave possibilities Of a strike now. Several rail-
readers with whom the Tribune correspondent
has talked men who would know II there was
serious talk OF a strike, say that the rurnors are
idle and without real foundation. One man said;
There Is no general grievance. and such issues
do exist purely local. and are being proper
y looked after. both by the men and the COM
pany 1t would require great deal OF engineering
TO get all the little local grievances conformed into
a solid reason for striking. Besides this. the men
do not want strike, and the company thus tar
has shown a very commendable disposition toward
the men. | do not believe strike at all likely.
Superintendent Sprigg OF the New-Jersey and the
Lehigh divisions Of the road. was In Jersey City
this afternoon and evening and could not be seen
An official in the office here, who is In position
to know all that is going on said. No general
grievance exists on this road that am aware OF.
There are certain local grievances on the dinerent
divisions. but they do not concern the men on the
other divisions and are being treated as division
affairs. The superintendent of each division is ad-
tusting matters well as possible. .
Have any OF the men laid their troubles before
the company officals?" he asked.
Yes, there have been several here to see the
superintendent and he has given patient hearing
to them -
do these men come committees or as to indi-
viduals?"
They are mostly committees" said the official.
Continuing, he said that II was correct TO say
that the company anxious TO hear any griev-
ance that the men entertained and that IT was
willing to be waited by committees represent.
ing the men. 1t did not prejudice the cause or
the men II they were represented by committees,
and the membership of committee did not oper-
ate against any employees There was no friction sa
now on the line, and. though the freight handlers
at piers Nos. and 3. in New-York; were on a
strike It was purely sympathetic strike, in which
the freight handlers along the river were engaged
and had nothing to do with the men on the road
He also said that the company was not interfering
with the men who Joined organizations, and that
there had been change in this respect In recent
years -, -, IN, - 49,
Lehigh Valley in 1893. which cost the company over
a million dollars, precipitated by the refusal
OF the chief officials Of the company TO give hearing
10 grievances presented by committee represent
ing the various labor organizations on the road
The remarks of the official would indicate that
since the Lehigh Valley has passed into new hands
there has been change in the manner or treating
the employees and this is why there is at present
no real indication Of strike.