The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-12
Boston Freight Handlers Strike
Grows and Grows.
Manufacturing Concerns Are
Forced to Close Down.
EMPLOYEES TURNED OUT
Owing to Difficulty Experienced
in Handling Freight.
Building Trades Unions Ex-
pected to Go Out Next.

Boston. March 12-The strike of 500
New York, New Haven and Hartford
railroad freight handlers which began
last Saturday has extended until now
there are 10000 men idle in this city OF
these 5000 to 5000 We're employed by
manufacturing concerns which have
been compelled to shut down because
of the difficulty of handling freight Tho
various lines of industry directly reach
ed by the strike includes freight hand
lers, team drivers, wool handlers, long
shoremen and railway switchmen. If the
threats of the strike leaders are borne
out this day will see the movement ex-
tended to the building trades union and
to unions connected with the foreign
steamship traffic.
The business men of the city find
then selves staggered by the strike.
Many conferences 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 little conf
dence that the desired result will be
reached by these means.
There is great hope that a meeting
arranged by Governor 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
system of the New York Central have
forces adequate to handle all traffic
There is no trouble over the movement
of outgoing freight but incoming mer-
chandise has accumulated in formidable
quantity. The Boston and Maine road
has not yet lost it's regular force Of
freight handlers and clerks but with
the teaming tied up their freight houses
and yards are becoming congeSted like
those of other lines. Arrangements
have been made for the transfer OF
f11rn1 oh rai XEifhn1If daIaW a
point.
At the docks of the steamship lines
doing a coastwise business great guam
titles of merchandise are piled up and
the wharves are cholSed. The longshore-
men are out and the material cannot
be moved. The expires companies are
tied up and there is a. threat that the
hack drivers will join the strike if an
issue is made because they carry pas
sengers with trunks. large parcels, or
matter which should go by express.
The strike of the local teamsters pre-
sents one of the most alarming features
of the trouble as it menaceS not only
many industries, but also the welfare of
householders and especially the people
in the poorer quarters of the city.
FELT IN NEW YORK.
New York, March 12.-The effects of
the strike of freight handlers and ex-
pressm en- in Boston were felt here to-
day. Passengers who arrived on trains
from Boston said they had experienced
difficulty in getting their baggage to
the trains and that the strike caused
much inconvenience in other ways As
perishable freight is not being accepted
at Boston, the supply of fresh fish for
this city was short today.
HANNA IS DOING WHAT HE CAN.
Washington, March Ex-senator Han
ma when asked today about his connec-
ton with the effort to settle the Boston
strike said he is doing what he could
but did not care to discuss his plans or
intentions in the matter. At present he
was looking into the situation.