New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-17
CURRAN CRIES, "BETRA YED :"
FREIGHT STRIKE Is ENDED. AND MEN
RETURN TO WORK

Chicago. July 16.-After ten days of strife
the Chicago freight handlers strike terminated
to-day in an unqualified victory for the rail-
roads. meeting of the strikers, presided over
by President Curran, resulted in an almost
unanimous vote to return TO work. leaving the
wage scale and other questions for settlement
between the men and their respective roads.
At the conclusion of the meeting the strikers
went by hundreds to the warehouses to apply
for their old places, and the teamsters who have
remained out in sympathy again took up their
reins BY noon immense quantities of freight
that had been held back for days were being
rushed to the railroads or taken from ware
houses and cars. Where stagnation had ruled
commercial activity again reigned. Chicago
merchants expressed unbounded relief at the
termination of hostilites, but they are scarcely
less happy than the men themselves, although
the strike is estimated to have cost them $40
100000, TO say nothing of the trade that has
been permanently lost
The little hall where the meeting of the strik-
ers took place was jammed to suffocation, and
thousands unable to obtain entrance. 1T
was a brief meeting, only long enough for an
angry speech by Curran and the vote which fol-
lowed. Mr.. Curran said:
Men we came out like men. we have acted
like men, and we should not go back like sheep
but there has been treachery in our camp Yes
".
the wire got crossed, and heard one OF the
members of our executive committee taking
with railroad manager. He was encouraging
the manager to hold out. for he told MN tnat
the strike almost broken. That is sample
Of the faith that has been kept with me- Inc
officials of the truck drivers union nave hol
kept faith, either. and il seems useless TO con-
tinue the fight any longer Shall we go pdch
and ask for our old jobs!
In this simple form the matter was put to
vote and almost Immediately a great chorus
of AYE" had brought TO a peaceful end one OF
Chicagos most serious and threatening labor
situations Il is believed that the roads gen
orally will allow the truckmen IL cents an
hour and the minor concessions granted by the
proposition of July 1. The proposition accepted
by the men was in effect the one given 10 Presl-
dent Curran by the State Board OF Arbitration
earlier in the day. although the proposition IN
its proper form not placed before the men,
The railroad managers. when told of the vote
to return to work, said that, wherever posi-
BILE the old men would be taken back small
percentage of the new men, however. VIII he
retained for a time, at least Nowhere was the
news of the settlement received with more pleas
ure than at the warehouses, where thousands
of men. gathered from other points of the
various roads TO take the places of the strikers
were longing TO return to their homes. They
had been we'll fed and had good sleeping quar-
ters but the majority of them. being accus-
toned TO the comfort of their homes, were tired
Of being herded.'
The Association OF Railway General Man
ayers, embracing every road that enters chi
cago has issued the following signed statement
All of our old men, not before on hand for
work reported at the freighthouses AT noon 10
day and were put to work No conference was
held with any committee or otherwise slnCe
Tuesday and no agreement was made with tiie
union or with arv committee The men simply
reported for work and they doubtless expect
ard viii receive the pay offered on July /. and
which the railroad companies nave neeh "lliAs
all along