The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-05-06
THE BUFFALO STRIKE.
Arbitrators Worked Hard to Pre-
vent It's Extension.
STRIKERS WERE UNFOLDING.

The Big strike Prophesicd For Yes
terdav Noon Was Postponed at,the
Request of tho State Board The
Freight Blockade Increasing.
Buffalo, May 6.-The members of
the state board of arbitration and
mediation worked hard yesterday in
an endeavor to settle the existing
troubles on the docks. Conferences
have been held with the strike leaders,
meetings have been addressed and
speeches listened to, and at midnight
conference convened at the Iroquois
hotel, at which were present representa-
tives Of all the interests involved, and
a most determined effort was made
to bring about settlement of the
didiculty. While there is every indi-
cation that Contractor Connors is
willing to grant concessions to the
strikers In the way Of advanced wages
and the removal of the saloon bosses.
the strikers show most unyielding
spirit.
At l o'clock this morning the con-
ference between the different inter-
ests were closed. Nothing was &C.
complished. Mr.. Gould, of Cleveland,
as counsel for the Lake Carriers as
ISOLATION, made the argument for the
vessel owners. He said that while the
association would see that the scoop
ers would receive fair treatment, 1t
could not and would not abrogate Mr..
Connor's contract. Representatives of
vessel owners In Buffalo and Cleve-
land, and others, pleaded for a settle
ment of the strike, but President Nc
Mahon, of the scoopers' union, and his
associates would consent to moth
Ing until the contract system was
abolished and the men allowed to deal
directly with the Lake Carriers as
ISOLATION. Thus the matter stands.
What the next move will be 1t 10 i'm
possible to say. The Lake Carriers
association has ordered the masters Of
vessels to pvt their crews at work
shoveling grain. In case the men re-
fuse, which is likely, another COM
plication will arise.
A meeting was held yesterday after
noon, at which were present fully 1000
scoopers. When member of the state
board advanced to the front of the
stage and addressed the men, asking
them II they would return to work il
all their demands save one--that of the
withdrawal of the contract from Mr..
Connor-were conceded, there was a
great shout of mo, never. We will
not 60 to work again under any con-
tractor"
The strike Of all union men employ
ed on the docks, which was prophesied
for noon yesterday, did not occur.
President McMahen, of the scoopers'
union, says that at the request Of the
state board 1t was deferred "a hours.
The situation In the harbor ia, IL
anything, worse than Thursday night.
So far this season 80 grain laden boats
have arrived In port. OF this number
but 26 have been unloaded, leaving So
still to be handled, with the prospect
of further arrivals today.
The freight boats are also beginning
to come in, and there are several now
at the docks waiting for men to handle \
their cargoes.
The contractors claim to be work.
ing IL elevators, but while this is
probably true, the number of men
placed on each boat is so small that
but little progress is being made.
Traffic on the Erie canal is threat
ened with almost a complete stoppage
Is result Of the strike. Boats are
arriving with freight to be unloaded
IND others are waiting here for loads
II grain and heavy freight, but men
kn haI IN 11 /