The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-08-09
REPORT WAS
WHOLLY FALSE
SWITCHMEN HAD NO INTEN-
TON OF STRIKING.
They Brand the Story Printed in
Yesterdays Republican,ths Second
of the Kind That Has Appeared in
That Paper Within Two Weeks, as
q Fabrication in It's Entirety.
switchmen's officials Say They
Are at Peace with the Lacka-
wanns-Have No Grievances.

The strike of the Lackawanna
switchmcn threatened yesterday by a
daily paper did not materialize and
President Frank Jones. of the local
union, denied to a Tribune man that
there was any likelihood of the men
going out yesterday. He said:
"why, that article in the Republican
was all wrong and contained the first
news of switchmen's strike that
had heard. In the first place, con-
trary to the statement in the paper,
the switchmen held no meeting last
night. In the next. we sent no SOM
mittee to New York to see President
Truesdale and in case he refused to
grant our demands, call the men out
before 10 o'clock this afternoon.
Grand Master Hawley was in the
city Wednesday and is still here, not
having gone TO New York to see the
Lackawanna's president, as reported.
The grand masters family lives in
this city. you know, and every time he
comes within hundred miles of Scran'
ton strike story comes out.
"I'n tell you how that story in the
Republican last week about a strike
came about" added Mr.. Jones,
and he smiled at the recollection. "A
reporter came down TO the yard ana
asked one of the boys all about the
strike Then he said, When are you
fellows coming out?'
TIP WASN'T STRAIGHT.
"'Oh, tomorrow morning at o'clock,
the switchman told him, meaning, of
course, that the men would then come
out for work as usual. The next day
there was an article in the paper, tell
ing about the switchmen's proposed
strike, but there wasn't a sign of il
about the yard. The Republican seems
determined 10 make us strike whether
we will or no."
on being asked what the exact status
of affairs was and whether or not the
switchmen entertained any present
grievances, President Jones retreated
into the shell of reticence with which
the switchmen guard their affairs and
remarked that the question was lit
tie too broad to discuss.
II know of no committees comforting
with Superintendent Clarke recently
he said, answering an Interrogation
"and the only information l have re.
ceived of such was seen in one of the
paI,ars. No conference was ordered
by the union"
The general committee OF the switch.
| men, consisting of delgates from al
along the Lackawanna system arrived
| in the city yesterday and We're in ses'
sion throughout the day at the Bank
hotel on Lackawanna avenue, with
Grand Master Hawley and =. A. Tim.
| lin, of the local grievance committee.
NO GRIEVANCES DISCUSSED.
The latter said last night that moth
| ing in the way of grievances was dis
cussed and that the matters brough
up for discussion were simply of ;
routine business nature. Another SeS
sion of the committee will be helC
| this morning.
Last night the regular meeting o
| the Switchmens union was held il
| Economy hall. 1t was largely attende,
and those present had the pleasure o
| hearing an interesting address deliv
cred by Grand Master Hawley. Nj
| Timlin, as chairman of the press com
| mittee, stated to a Tribune MAJ
| that merely the regular business Of tn
| local was being discussed and i'm speak
ing about the strike report declare,
there was not the least foundation 70
the published reports
The switchmen," he declared. "ar
at peace with the Lackawanna an
every other railroad in the country
No grievances will be brought befor
the Lackawanna officials as a resul
of the meeting Of the general commit
tee here, and there is not the leas
sign anywhere of trouble"