The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-07
Nine Thousand Freight Hand.
lers Strike in Chicago.
Freight Houses of "a Railroads
Are Tied Up.
GO OUT WITH CHEERS.
March Across Viaduct With
Union Cards i'm Hats.
Companies Refused Advance in
Wages and Other Demands.

Chicago July IA strike of 5000
freight handlers in Chicago was called
today and every freight house of the "a
railroads concerned is practically tied
up. Business men fear that the strike
will be the most serious which has af-
fected their interests in years.
The strike was called by a committee
appointed at meeting of 1000 freight
handlers held last night The commit
tee was instructed to call a strike with
in 48 hours unless the railroads should
meet the demands of the men at once
for an increase in wages, extra pay for
overtime and holidays, and recognition
of the union. Action on the instructions
was taken sooner than had been ex-
pected. The committee went first to the
Michigan Central, Illinois Central and
Wisconsin Central houses on the lake
front.
The men walked out with cheers and
marched across the viaduct on RAN
dolph street with their union cards
tucked in their hats.
BY messenger and telephone, accord
ing to the strike leaders, all other menu
bers of the Interior Freight Handlers
and Warehousemen's union were called
out.
At noon President Curran of the
union reported that his men were all
out and that it was all but impossible
for any freight to enter Chicago, or to
leave it, Many of the railroads had
small forces of men previously hired Ola
hand when the strike was called and
by adding to it men from other depart
ments, managed to handle perishabie
commodities. In the hiring of nom
union men 1t is said the railroads run
a serious risk of bringing about a strike
fight from the packers. The teamsters,
it is said, will refuse absolutely to have
anything to do with freight in any way
handled by nonunion help.
The men called out include foremen.
check, recheck, receiving and delivery
clerks, sealers, callers, weighmasters,
stevedores. coopers and elevator men,
Chief of Police O'Neill when notified
that a strike had been called sent er-
ders to his subordinates to make every
preparation to preserve order. Two hum
dned and fifty men were called in from
| outlying stations to form reserve
force to be stationed at the downtown
stations. From the stations the men
went in squads to the different yards.
There was no marked demonstrations
as they entered, although they had to
remain quiet under a running fire of
sarcasm.
w. C. Brown, vice president of the
Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, said
! to the Associated Press of the situation
on his road:
About 80 per cent of our men went
out. The remainder, with additional
help which we have hired. are handling
| our business as well as could be ex-
pected. Our business is not tied up
and will not be-
| ]. T. Harahan. second vice president
| Of the Illinois Central, said that about
| half of his company's $50 men had
| struck but that he had men close at
| hand toNake their places"
Mr.. Harahan said he thought the
| strike could have been avoided IL the
| men had been willing to consult with
| the roads through their own committees
| instead of through their union. We
| have no trouble in adjusting difference
| with our engineers, firemen and other
| employees" said Mr.. Harahan, but the
| freight handlers presented a document
| through the officers of their union and
| we, of course, could not deal with them
| through third parties
In reply to a question Mr.. Harahan said
l that the railroads were unit in refusing
to deal with the strikers through their un-
| ion, but all of them were ready at any
| time to discuss and adjust grievances il
presented by their employees.
| He did not think there would be much
| difficulty in supplying men to take the
strikers places.