Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-06-11
STRIKE is ON.
The Maine Central Trackmen
Ask for More Pay
And on Its Not Being Granted, Stop
Work As Threatened.
Estimates Vary As to Number Out.-Irains
Ruaning As Usual.

''Thc strike Ia on" was the message
that went forth along the Maine Cen
trial little after O'Clock, this after
noon, and it was the first out and out
first ever ordered by the Brotherhood
of Railway Trackmcn of America,
which is the cause Of this one.
There was feeling Of rcprcsscd ex-
element about the station all day. At
40 one of the employees said to an
other: "Oniy 10 minutes more" To
the majority these words had no spec
ial significance. but to the railroad men
they meant a good deal. 1t was conf
IDENTIFY expected all the afternoon that
affairs would be settled before the APP
pointed hour.
Superintendent Mcdonald was in the
city but he had nothing to say about
the strike or those especially interest
ed. AS the minutes passed during the
latter part of the afternoon, every one
was expecting that a message would
be received announcing a settlement,
but none came. and little after ) the
word went out that the strike was on.
The struggle of the brotherhood has
been familiar to some railroad men
but the general public has been in ut
ter ignorance and could scarcely be-
lieve the report But the local track
men quietly quit work at the appoint
ed hour, and otherwise things moved
along in the even tenor of their ways.
Trains rolled in and trains rolled out,
but it may not be this way. today.
Most of the trains were off the sched
ule. this afternoon. but it was not on
account of the proposed strike but the
heavy travel
There were of course all sorts of ru
mors anoat. 1t was whispered that the
company had given up the idea of a
settlement and had hired Italians to
take the places of the strikers. AS the
passenger trains came in late it was
said that it was caused by dropping
the dusky foreigners along the line. a
second class car or two where they
were not expected gave some strength
TO this report, but the trainmen had
seen none of the Italians, so the ru
NOR fell fat.
1t was also rumored that the en-
ginecrs and firemen had refused to go
out on the road without the trackmen
patrOllinE but the trains left the sta
ton during the early part of the night
as usual. Then it was said that this
difficulty would be overcome by the
company by sending out pilot engines
over the line ahead of the regular
trains. and every engine that left the
roundhouse was watched TO see if it
I,a fn this
But all of these reports failed to de-
veIop into facts and so far the average
passenger could discern things were
moving along just as usual.
Waterville division of the brother
hood was organized last December. An
interview with the company was asked
for May II, and a schedule of prices
drawn up. The request was granted
and a committee from the organiza-
ton had the interview. May 20. This
was not very fruitful in results and a
second one was given, May 81.
The Waterville division of the broth
erhood includes all the section men and
foremen from Newport to South Gar
diner and from Readfield to Skowhe
gan. The following statement which
was issued by John T. Hogan. chair
man of the grievance committee, to the
members of the order outlines the
steps leading up to the strike pretty
clearly:
Smiths Hotel.
Portland, Me. June s. 1901.
Dear Brothers:
Being unable to affect a settlement
in accordance with your expressed wishes
with the NJ c. r. X. officials YOUR GcnCr-
NJ (.TinSpncc Z ommittpc hereby orders: =
suspension of work. tn take effect On
Monday. June 10th. 1891. at , O'Clock u. NJ.
as authorized by Section Il. Page *. Of
the Constitution of the brotherhood of
Railway Trackmcn of America.
All Forcmcn will put their cars and all
tools in car houses and lock the doors
Company to the ncares: Station Agent.
after taking their receipts for the same.
Then send the following message to their
RoadmaStcrS:
have suspended work and will not be re-
sponsibIc for the Company's property. in
our charge, after o'clock. June 10Th. 1891
(SlSned) .......-...-..
This mcssac &c should be sent promptly
at ) o'clock on the above date.
no order to resume work should he TAX
en- notice of unless it bears the written
signature OF Your Chairman and the i'm
pression Of Watarviiic Division Seal No.
The following letter from Mr.. Wilson.
President OF the Is. OF H. L. OF a., is sell
explanatory -
juno s. 1901.
Mr.. John r. Hogan. Chairman Joint Pro-
tcctivc Board. NJ. c. r. r.,
Dear Sir and Brother:
In view of the fact that your Commit
tee has been unable to secure an amicablc
adjustment of the maintenance of way
mems grievances on the Maine Central
Railroad and as the Vice President and
General Manager has declined to reopen
negotiations with the Committee. or to
consider suggestions from me which
might have led to peaceable settlement,
nv consent for your committee to order
a simultaneous suspension OF work IS
hereby granted
This is the first time since our OrGaniza
ton was established. in the year 1889.
that | have found myself in position
which compelled me to sanction a sus-
nension of work by members of the r. OF
p r Of A.. and il is with profound regret
sanction is given
After being informed by you that your
General Manager had positively refused
To consider any suggestions | might be
able 10 make in behalf of a peaceable
settlement. | came 10 Portland. believing
mar If he knew l was in the city he
world give me an opportunity to speak I'm
,.obnIf of his employees. and that in some
waw / could aid in bringing about bet
tcr understanding and avert trouble. Soon
Continued on page 81