Evening star., 1902-03-12
BUSINESS Is CRIPPLED
COAL TRANSFERS STRIKE MAX
CAUSE GREAT SUFFERING.
Conferences Between Strikers and
Others Interested Fail to
Reach Settlement.

BOSTON March 12-The strike of GOO
New York, New Haven and Hartford rail-
road freight handlers which began last
Saturday, has extended until now there are
20 600 men idle in this city. OF these 3oo3
to 5000 were employed by manufacturing
concerns. which have been compelled To
shut down because of the difficulty of han
ding freight. The various lines of industry
directly reached by the strike included
freight handlers, team drivers, wool han
dlers, 'longshoremen and railway switch
men. If the threats of the strike leaders
are borne out this day will see the move
ment extended to the Building Trades
Union and to unions connected with the
foreign steamship traffic.
The business men of the city find them
selves staggered by the strike. Many con-
ferences have been held, the influence OF
the Civic Federation has been invoked and
the state board of arbitration has tried To
find a ground for agreement between the
parties at war but apparently there is lit
tie confidence that the desired result will
be reached by these means.
Gov. Crane Calls Meeting.
There is great hope that meeting ar
ranged by Gov Crane between the labor
leaders, railroad officials and merchants,
to be held at the state house today. will
show some way out.
The New York, New Haven and Hart
ford road and the Boston and Albany sys-
tenn Of the New York Central have forces
adequate to handle all traffic. There is
no trouble over the movement of outgoing
freight, but incoming merchandise had ac-
cumulated in formidable quantity. The
Boston and Maine road has not yet lost
it's regular force of freight handlers ard
clerks, but with teaming tied up its
freight houses and yards are becoming
congested like those Of other lines. Ar
rangements have been made for the trans
fer of through freight without delay at
this point.
At the docks of the steamship lines do
ing a coastwise business great quantities
of merchandise are piled up and the
wharves are choked. The 'longshoremen
are out and the material cannot be moved.
The express companies are tied up and
there Is a threat that the hack drivers Will
join the strike II an issue Is made because
they carry passengers with trunks, large
parcels or matter which Should go by ex-
press. The strike Of the coal teamstars
presents one Of the most alarming features
of the trouble, as 1t menaces not only
many industries. but also the welfare Of
householders. and especially the people in
the poorer quarters Of the city.
Only One Firm Doing Business.
Practically the only teaming firm doing
any business is the r. s. Brine Transporta-
ton Company, the non-union concern over
whose teams the trouble originated. The
other teamsters whose men have Joined the
strike declare that the trouble could be
settled and the strike ended In an hour If
the merchants would agree not TO deal with
the Brine company.
During the forenoon some Of the steam
ship companies secured small gangs of Ital-
ians in place of the striking 'lopgshoremen.
and they were put at work behind closed
doors while the premises Were guarded by
police.
The conference with the governor was
held at the state house at 1890 o'clock, but.
as far as could be learned, ii resulted in
nothing definite.
The strike committee told the governor
that their organizations had decided TO
stand by the proposition. that the strike
would be declared off if the railroads would
consent that no freight handler should go
on any team delivering goods at the freight
sheds.
The railroads have refused 10 consider
this proposition, and the governor decided
that he could do nothing.
The arrival during the forenoon OF
fleet of fishing smacks bringing 2soWe
pounds of fresh fish further complicated
the situation that confronts the fish dealers
who cannot get teams to handle the fish.
The pressure brought to bear upon the
union men at the Boston and Maine freight
yards, which was resisted yesterday, began
to tell today, and by 10 o'clock only about
seventy old men remained at work Vacant
places were promptly filled by men who had
been secured In anticipation of trouble.
Message From Senator Hanna.
Mayor Collins received the following re-
ply today to his telegram asking Senator
NJ. A. Hanna to aid him in putting an end
to the strike:
WASHINGTON, March IL, 1902.
Hon. p. A. Collins, Boston.
Tala0rap raceiyed IF vou will ponf ont
a way 1 will be glad to be of service. We
should nave indications from both sides
that our good Offices would be acceptable.
(SigneO NJ. A. HANNA
Senator Hanna, when asked about his
connection with the effort to settle the
Boston strike, SAID that he is doing what
he could but did not care to discuss his
plans or.int tentions in the matter. At pres
ent he was looking into the situation.