New-York tribune., 1900-05-01
FREIGHT HANDLERS OUT
BUFFALO STRIKE ASSUMING A SERIOUS
ASPECT
ACTION DECIDED UPON AT A MASS MEETING
LAST NIGHT-REPAIRERS IN
WAITING MOOD

Buffalo, April 30.-The status of the strike of
the car repairers of the New-York Central is
unchanged tonight excepting so far as the ac-
uon or President Galloway in consenting that
superintendent Watt Of the motive power de-
partmeh' snail meet in conference the MEM
oers of the Executive Committee has tended to
create belief amCng the strikers that the COM
pany is disposed TO pursue a conciliatory policy
Ihe leaders of the strike were pronounced to-
night in their expressions of determination to
make no concessions They also inveighed
against further delay and insisted that the
settlement must come at once, else they could
not be held responsible for prevent: NJ a spread
or the strike 1t freely stated that the
strike spirit had taken hold of the railroad men
Oh Bufalo and that procrastinaton would pre-
vent Its being held in bounds When these senti-
ments were expressed it was the impression that
superintendent Waitt would reach Buffalo to-
the day.
Tonight about 1000 freight handlers en-
ployed in the railway freight houses of the roads
entering Buffalo. other than the Lake Shore
decided to strike for an increase of wages and
shorter hours. This movement is independent
OF the strike of tie car repairers. and although
its bearing is important it is incidental as re-
latng to the issues involved. The leaders of
the original strike disclaim any responsibility
for the action OF the freight handlers.
Two hundred men employed in the yards of
the New-York Lake Erie and Western at re-
pair shop also struck tonight
1t was stated at midnight that Mr. Brasier,
assistant superintendent of motive power of
the New-YOrk Central at New-York would
reach Buffalo tomorrow.
The presence of Samuel r. Gompers. president
of the American Federation Of Labor. in the
city, caused much comment He had interviews
with strike leaders. but his mission was not
stated more explicitly than a general desire to
keep in close touch with labor movements
The freight handlers. who have just decided
to make their fight. work in the freight houses
of the New-YOrk Central. West Shore. Lehigh
Valley, Lake Shore, Buffalo. Rochester and
Pittsburg, Erie. Wabash. Western New-York
and Pennsylvania railroads. This brings the
total number of men out mp TO 1000
The strikers question many Of the statements
made by the Central officials as reported in
the press dispatches. The tone of them has
tended to anger. rather than produce quiet
among the men. There is q total Of nearly
three thousand now, including the
New-York Central Western New York and
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Lackaw wanna and
Western, Nickel Plate and Lehigh Valley car
repairers and yarimen.
The strikers resent the action of Police Super
tntendent Bullen ordering the patrolmen to the
platoon system, claiming that the order was
designed to prejudice the police against the
strikers Superintendent Macbeth. of the East
Buffalo car shops, where over thousand quit
work, said tonight tnat President Galloway has
to-day stated the company's position in nut
shell, and he does not believe that Superin-
tendent Walt will come to Buffalo.