Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-11
FINALLY ARBITRATE STRIKE
Railroads and Freight Handlers Agree
to Submit Differences.
WHOLESALE HOUSES WORST SUFFERERS
Strikers Refuse to Abide by First
r9derstandInR Between President
Curran and the Rail-
roads.

CElOAGO, July lUs-buSlQebS men OIL Iu6
city took an active part in attempting to
settle the strike Of the freight handlers to-
day and at midnight, although nothing had
been definitely settled. some little progress
had been made.
An agreement was secured from the
freight handlers union, that the organiza-
tion would abide by the decision Of the
Chicago board Of arbitration IL that organ
ization could arrange meetings with the
general managers of the railroads and Sc
cure their consent also to arbitration.
At midnight the request for arbitration
had been submitted to the railroads and 1t
is not likely that such action will be taken
before tomorrow morning. There are grave
doubts that the proposition will be re-
ceived by the railroads. General Manager
Hit, Of the Rock Island and General Man
ager Barrett, of the Alton, said tonight that
they had not been requested to arbitrate,
and did not see what there was to srbi-
trate. The general manager Of another
large western road said that while he did
not care to be quoted personally, he was
confident that no proposition for arbitration
would be entertained by his road.
"our men left u.s." he said, without even
presenting their grievances, and we have
rever received request from them directly.
OuuBT Lu6 IueTe Is uOJnluB
for us to arbitrate and IL the Chicago board
of arbitration asks to submit our cause to
them we will reply to that effect"
Hope for sympathetic Strike.
Strikers are basing their hopes OF success
on sympathetic strike Of the teamsters.
1t is generally conceded that the freight
handlers have but a small chance to win
unless they have the support Of the teams
| ters' union. II they secure this, and the
members Of that organization walk out,
| there is every probability of serious trouble
before the matter is settled.
The officers Of the teamsters' union pro-
| fess to be opposed to any strike, but they
say that the desire to strike is strong
among the teamsters. The officers are fear
full that they will not be able to hold the
men in line. 1t was thought last night
that the worst danger Of the strike was
| over, but the meetings Of the freight hand
lers today developed an almost unanimous
desire to continue the fight, with or with
out the aid Of other organizations. These
| meetings were held in various parts Of the
city, and while they were in progress large
crowds of the strikers gathered around
their headquarters.
When 1t had been determined that the
| lT6lBuI udHuleTS WOuiu COulluuc INC hbul
President Curran of the Freight Handlers,
accompanied by Organizer John ]. Fitzpat-
rick of the Chicago Federation Of Labor,
went to meet the members of the Ghtcngo
Board OF Arbitration. Secretary Driscoll
| of the Team Owners association, in whose
Offices the meeting occurred, stated to Mr..
Curran that he had called in some Of the
members of the arbitration committee to
meet him to settle the strike Mr.. Curran
| appealed to the members of the Board of
| Arbitration to use their best endeavors to
settle the strike. Mr.. Setfrdge Of the COM
mittee asked him II the members of the
executive council OF the freight handlers
| would sign an agreement to abide by the
| decision OF the arbitration. Mr.. Curran
said that he would not do this until he had
| conferred with the members Of the COM
mittee. The meeting then adjourned until
o'clock pending the consultation between
Mr.. Curran and his advisers.
Arbitration Document Signed.
| At the appointed time President Currar
and all the members Of the executive coun-
| Gil OF the freight handlers went to the office
Of the Team Owners association. He found
awaiting him there seven members of the
Team Owners association and an equs
Board Of Arbitration. President Curran an,
nounced the willingness of the freight hand
lers to sign an agreement to accept what
ever recommendation the arbitration com
mittee might submit. The document wal
submitted and signed. The meeting then ad
journed to allow the members Of the Boart
OF Arbitration to consult with the genera
managers Of. the roads and ascertain
whether OF not they will arbitrate,
The determination of the business men o
Chicago to endeavor to secure a settlement
of the strike was taken today when 1t wa!
certain that the freight handlers would no
agree to the terms OF the roads submitted
and when symptoms OF unrest appeared
among the members of the Teamsters
union. Nearly 1000 Of the latter refused t
the freight handlers had decided to con
tinue the fight. A refusal of these men 4
carry out their contracts made but few
weeks ago at the termination OF their stri1
would mean heavy loss to the business In
terests Of the city and 1t was determined a
once to enlist the services of the Chicag
Board OF Arbitration, an organization whicl
has among its members some OF the mos
prominent business men in Chicago.
1t was evident to the business men tha
unless some truce could be made almos
complete stagnation of the business inter
ests Of the city would follow and the Boar
OF Arbitration at once offered It's service
to the freight handlers, with the resul
given above.
nFooAHEC TuDnIIHu mattel