The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-07-08
STRIKE SITUATION IN
CHICAGO Is ALARMING
Railroads Only Able to Move PershabIe Freight
Transfers Threaten to Walk Out.
Union Pacific Officials Say Shops Are Running Full Bas-Roads
Are Preparing for Trouble

CHICAGO, july 7.-rHopes OF a speedy
settlement Of the strike of the
Freight Handlers union, which
was declared today, are entertained by
officials of the union and members OF
the state board Of arbitration The Of
fcials o, the union at a conference to-
night told Chairman job of the board
of arbitration that they were willing to
permit employees of the different COM
panies 10 meet officials of the same to
discuss the wage scale, providing a
Joint conference should be held at
which officials of the union would be
permitted 10 act as advisers to the men.
The arbitration board is now working
on the matter in an effort to bring
about q conference between the rail-
way managers and committees repre-
senting the men. AS the railroad OFF,
Gals have offered this step from the be-
ginning Of the controversy, there is lit
re doubt the strike can be settled sat
sfactorily 70 both sides II the confer
ence is arranged.
Lack Of unsnimity already permeates
the strike. The Chicago Federation of
labor was ignored when the order was
issued for the men to quit work, and
It's executive officials are somewhat Of
Tended and are inclined 70 let the
freight handlers to fight out their bat
tie in their own way.
There are 1900 freight handlers in
and about the various freight houses
Of the twenty-four railroads centering
IN Chicago. OF this number more than
5000 are now involved in the strike
Some Of the men who quit work today
did so under protest.
Notably this was the case in the
freight house of the Lake Shore &
Michigan Central railroad. The men
there employed were receiving all the
consideration they had asked. They
we're forced to strike. however. by the
r-cer of the executive committee of
their union. Before going out the men
Informed the railway officials of the
situation and said they would seek an
immediate return order from the au-
thorities that had ordered them out.
The sudden suspension of customary
operations by the freight handlers to-
day oceasioned considerable trouble in
and about the various railroad ware
houses and stations, but the incon-
venienee and delay were but a drop i'm
the bucket 10 what viii happen te-nor-'
row and later in the week if the strike
shall Dot be settled sooner.
Truckmen May Strike.
To add to the present difficulties of
the railroads, the Transfers and Truck
mems union threatens to Join in a
sympathetic strike. If this shall occur.
u VIII affect all incoming and outgo-
ing freight OF every kind. Every rail-
road IN Chicago today accepted all
freight offered. While it was confessed
oy several railroad officials that freight
was not being moved as expeditiousIy
as heretofore, yet it was said the larg-
est part Of il was being handled well.
The various freight houses and yards,
however, disclosed a large accumula-
u0n OF unmOved freight and cars load
ed with freight
There was no trouble or disorder in
or about any freight house. Antieipat-
ing the possibilities Of such a strike.
1ne railroad companies had brought to
Nhcago number of men to take the
PAGES OF the strikers. These men were
Intercepted by pickets and most of
mem were induced to join the Freight
Handlers union.
Inc strike was called by a committee
appointed at a meeting of 900 freight
handlers held last night. The commit
zee was instructed to call a strike
NlIhin torty-eight hours unless the
!slroads should meet the demands of
mt men at once for an increase in
ages. extra pay for overtime and hoIi-
Days and recognition of the union.
A'uon on these instructions were
ygNeh sooner than had been expected.
ue committee went first to the Mich
san central. Illinois Central and Wis
zyHSn freight houses on the lake front
-ue men walked out with cheers and
l.eIched across the viaduct on Ran
,,-ph street with their union cards
'lgNed IN their hats.
ol messenger and telephone. accord
- 10 ,ne strike leaders. all other men,
~. 49, OF the International Freight Han |
c.ns S and Warehousemen's union were |
se4e e, out. At noon President Curran |
" me union reported that his men
,te an out and that il was almost |
lySSinle for any freight to enter Chi !
''so or leave il.
Railroads Partially Prepared.
lany OF the railroads had small |
YVES or men previously hired on hand