The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-04-09
BY SECRET BALLOT
Strike Sentiment is Being AS
cerfained on Jersey Central.

New York. April 9.-The employees OF
the Central railroad Of New Jersey are
baIoting IN secret today on the strike
question and If two-thirds vote affir1na-
lively they viii leave their posts as soon
as the rezult is officially declared and
the approval OF the national officers Sc
cured The situation is a critical one
and hinges entirely upon the result of
the remarkable election that is now IN
progress. A forecast Of the result of the
poll is wen nigh impossible The men
viii not discuss the prospective strike
outside of their lodge rooms It is difh-
cult to say when the result Of the VOTE
viii be known. 1t IS generally under
stood that the ballots win be collected
by the local organizations and by them
forwarded to the brotherhood chiefs.Th
impression has been created that the
chiefs are not entirely in accord on al
Of the issues Of the dispute. The COM
pany is preparing for a struggle. Out
side men to take the places Of any VINO
walk out are being assembled at conven-
lent points. along the lines and held in
readiness for any emergency and it is
evident that If there is a strike the COM
pany viii make a desperate effort to
keep its trains moving It has been a6
niitted by officials of the company that
men are being engaged. Speaking for
the company this morning, General
Manager Warren said
I'VE have heard nothing further from
the men despite our willingness to treat
with them and as far as know there is
nothing new. 7 am informed the men
are balIoting on the question Of a strike,
but do not know officially or personally
that such, IS the case. Most OF my in
formation anyhow comes from the news
papers
1--WE would regret trouble with our
men, for I assure you we have no desire
to be other than perfectly fair I have
no idea what the men viii decide TO do
but I hope they win be reasonable. XIV
erything is moving along evenly and
quietly on the lines"
Peoria, Ill, April Prank P. Sar-
geant, grand master OF the Brotherhood
Of Locomotive Firemen has just return
ed from New York where he had been
summoned to attend a conference Of Of
fcers Of the different brotherhoods which
had been called for the purpose Of dis
GUESSING the trouble Of the men with the
Central railway Of New Jersey When
seen this morning he refused to discuss
the probable outcome of the trouble but
stated that the matter had been left
with the men themselves by the execu-
tive officers of the brotherhoOds and that
the men would decide whether or not |
they should leave the employ Of the |
road.
Il do not care to discuss probabilities
he said this morning. especially in view |
of the fact that it viii be definitely |
known within very short time what the /
aEJlOn OF the men Is 10 De- 4AG Objects
OF the different brotherhoods were un-
able to obtain any satisfactory answer I
from the railroad officials to the various
letters sent them and 50 the committee |
prepared circular which has been sub 1
mitted to themselves. We shall be gov |
erned by the action taken by the men,
Wilkesbarre, Pa, April 9.-The en-
ployes or this division of the Central |
of New Jersey. 1t is said, have /
voted almost unanimously in favor Of a /
strike, providing that Vice President
Warren Of the road still persists in re- /
fusfng the brother hood officials a confer
snce 1t is believed here, however, that /
Vice President Warren will ask the /
grand officers and various brotherhood /
officials to return to New York and dis
,uss the conditions. The vote of the men
was completed today.
The men on this division are well or
zanized They say that if Vice President
Warren maintains the attitude which
the grand officers of the brother
hood a strike is expected by Wednesday
IT Thursday.
The strike will be more serious to this
-egion than any other along the Jersey
Central railroad. as it would compel the
suspension of work in many mines which
nave no other outlet for their product,
md would force about 1900 miners to
y11it work