The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-12

tiOns Against the Contract Sys-
tem-Carriers Grow Stubborn.
BUFFALO, n. Y, May 1.-THE meet
ing of the advisory committee of ten, of
which bishop Quigley is the chairman,
which was to have taken place tonight at
the bishops residence to consider the
grain shovelers' strike, was postponed un-
til 10 o'clock tomorrow morning, owing to
the illness of two members of the commit
tee, ex-Congressman Mahaney and Pres
ident McMahon, of the grain shovelers'
union. 1t was generally expected that a
plan would have been formulated tonight,
by which a reconciliation between the
scoopers and the Lake Carriers associa-
ton could be effected, and the delay has
proved big disappointment to those who
are working for a settlement OF the trou-
BILE.
The strikers have steadfastly asserted
that they would not agree to any terms Or
concessions made by the employers except
they were accompanied by an absolute
wiping out of the contract system. On
good authority it was stated tonight that
the scoopers must concede something, and
it is not only possible, but very probable
that they will agree to accept the terms
offered by the Lake Carriers.
The action of the Lake Carriers asso-
ciation at their meeting in Cleveland, to-
day. in indorsing the proposition made by
the associations representative in this
city, and stating they would make no fur
ther concessions, opened the way for a
settlement of the trouble on the basis of
the last proposition made by the carriers,
by which Mr.. Connors, while technically
he will retain possession of the contract,
will have no authority over the men or
the grain shoveling business here. All the
demands of the men were granted with
the exception of the complete abrogation
of the contract,
During the last twenty-four hours q
number cf shrewd, conservative men,
welding great influence among the lead
ers of the grain shovelers, have been at
work They have told the leaders plainly
that their stand for the complete aboli-
ton of the contract has endangered the
victory already won by the men, and that
if they MAINTAIN their radical stand much
longer all will be lost. One of these in
fiuential men said tonight:
1.-THE situa ton is just this: During the
first few weeks of the season grain pours
into this port by the millions of
bushels. For about ten weeks after
that the shipment of grain here
is comparatively light If the grain
shCvelers hold off much longer the rush
will be over, the contractor will be able to
catch UP on the work, and the necessity
for treating with the grain shovelers will
have ceased to exist. 1 have pointed this
danger out to the leaders, and have rea-
son to believe that they are beginning to
realize the true situation"
FREIGHT HANDLERS SYMPATHIzE
The strike among the members of the
Freight Handlers union at this port is
gradually assuming a serious aspect
There are about 1000 of the men pledged
not to work for any contractor, and many
of these men are now on strike. Original
ly a few of them went out in sympathy
with the grain shovelers, and tonight ii
is believed that in case the scoopers gain
their point they will remain out until
thir difficulties have been satisfactorily
settled. Several managers of transporta-
ton lines said today that If the contract
ors did not quickly demonstrate their
ability to do the work of loading and
unloading freight boats they would be
compelled to devise other means of re-
lieving the congestion of traffic at this
port.
At the Lehigh Valley docks the company
called in lot Of yard men and other en-
ployes to take the place of the strikers
At the Central, Erie and other big docks
the work was practically at a standstill
the few freight handlers who were 81
work being non-union men.
The freight handledrs demand an In
crease of wages from 25 cents an hour
the present rate, to 80 cents and houl
for work outside of the freight houses
and 20 cents an hour for inside work
They also ask for the abolition of the
contract system.
CLEVELAND, O., May 1.-THE com.
mittee of the Lake Carriers association
which went to Buffalo for the settlement
of the grain shovelers strike held
meeting this afternoon, at which it wa.
heard that the strike had broken ou
afresh. There were present Thomas Will
son, James Corrigan and Harvey D
Goulder. The whole situation was re
viewed and 1t was decided not to max,
any further concessions to the striker
than have already been offered. There il
disposition to fight it out to the bite
end.
MOUNT MORRIS, N. Y, May n.-Abou
thirty men and boys went to Buffalo to
udy W lohO lllC PldSSo VI Tie
grain shovelers at the elevators there
Tonight four of the men returned. o.
the same train were two striking bos
scoopers. These two men wished to secur
the village hall, in which to hold a pub
lie meeting to advise other men who IN
tended to go to Buffalo not to CO. but tn
committee of village trustees refused tn
use of the hall for such purposes withou
the required fee for the rent of the same
and so the proposed meeting failed t
materialize. 1t is expected that anothe
delegation of recruits will leave this plac