Evening star., 1901-04-11
>SHOPMEN QUIT WORK
Jersey Central Employees at Ashley,
Pa, on Strike.
TROUBLE OVER DISCHARGES
Believed Now That the Trainmen
VIII Not Strike.
A COMMITTEE SUMMONED

vILKEsBARRE. Pa. April 11.-Every
man in the car shops of the Central Rail-
road of New Jersey at Ashley went on
strike at noon today because Supt. Thomas
refused TO reinstate thirty employees who
had been laid off few days ago. The en-
ployes claimed that the men were dis
charged because they were prominent in the
labor union, while Supt. Thomas said it was
because Of slack work. The employees held
n meeting last night and decided to strike
at noon today unless the men were taken
back
committee waited on Supt. Thomas to-
day He told the members that he could
not take the men at this time, but If bus
mess improved ne would probably find
places for them. This answer was not sat
lsfsctory to the committee, and a strike
order was issued at once.
When the whistle blew at 1 o'clock not
man IN the ear department went to work.
A member of the local grievance commit
tee. representing the employees of the Cen
trail Railroad of New Jersey at Ashley. re-
ceived a telegram at noon from a member
of the general grievance committee in New
York that the chances now are that there
would be strike.
Both Expected to Make Concessions.
At the conference both sides are expected
to make concessions. The feeling in this
section now is that the crisis is about
passed.
The grievance committee Of the men
working on this division was summoned
iate last night to a conference with Vice
President Warren of the company in New
York. The committee left here early this
morning. 1t consists of @. E. Peck of the
engineers, r. l.. Reilly of the fremen. Full
Ter Tucker of the conductors II. +. Ryner
of the trainmen and John Nellinger of the
teleGraphers. The members of the commit
tee believe that Mr.. Warren has decided to
settle the difficulties by meeting the COM
mittee in conference.
While the men are still at work, the
brotherhood men are only waiting the sig
nal to strike. The firemen, who have the
greatest number of grievances. voted al
most solidly for strike. 1t is said that no
action viii be taken now until Chief Arthur
Is given n chance to examine closely the
vote of the engineers 1t is Yet possible
that Mr. Arthur may advise against
strike. Some of the Central engineers think
ne may nn,' way out.
Conference at Jersey City.
NEW YORK, April 1.-THE employees and
officials of the Central Railroad of New
Jersey will go into conference at Jersey
City at 2 o'clock this afternoon, and on the
eve of the meeting both sides incline to the
belief that there will be complete and
final adjustment of wage differences The
conference springs from a meeting held
late yesterday afternoon between Messrs.
Waite and Shea, representing the engineers
and tiremen respectively, and Superin-
tendents Olhausen and WentZ of the rail-
road. The former called upon the latter
and-expressed the belief that another con-
ference would be beneficial. Olhausen and
WentZ at once called a meeting of the
officials of the road who had served on the
old conference committee, and it was de-
cided To meet this afternoon
The only difference between the represen-
tatfves of the engineers and the firemen
and the officials was as to the participation
of the trainmen in the meeting of this
afternoon. Waite and Shea did not seem
>inclined to have them, but Olhausen in
sisted that they be present. 1t was also
decided to admit any employees who can
spare the time. so there is a possibility
that the meeting will be very largely
attended one.
Conductors Grievances Settled.
The conductors will practically have no
voice in the conference. for the railroad
acceded to their original demands, and their
only relationship to the present dispute is
sympathetic IN nature. 1t is improbable
that the meeting Of this afternoon will be
fruitful of results, but there is a strong
likelihood that some line of action will be
agreed upon 1t is possible that the men
Will appoint new conference committee
to act with the group of officials who are
handling the dispute for the railroads
Vice President Warren gave out the fol-
lowing statement today:
We have been receiving many express
sions from employees of a desire TO have a
new committee selected by them to meet
the company and discuss the matter. The
propositions submitted by the company are
fair there has been no doubt they would
be accepted by any new committee appoint
ed The officers of the company, as pre-
yit.Isly stated. are always ready to confer
with employees on matters Of mutual in
terest- Mr.. Waite and Mr.. Shea called
upon SuperinJeHdents Olhausen and Wentz
yesterday. requesting and arranged for a
q m r1rp1it teg a,,I tbn
local officers Of the company for this after
noon to further discuss the propositions
submitted by the company.