Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-14
DRAY DRIVERS ALL REFUSE
TO TAKE OUT LOADS

CHICAGO. July I2-Members OF the
truck drivers union. as individuals. in
sympathy with the striking freight hand
iers. refused TO haul freight this morning
and every freight house In the city was
closed up.
The men took out their wagons as usual
N many instances. only TO drive them TO
the warehouses and block the entrances
and exits. Fully 100 drivers went in this
way 70 the freight house Of the Illinois
Central this morning.
They backed their teams up along side
the other platforms and proceeded 10
wait. They chatted and smoked, but
would handle no freight. Most OF the
truckmen who visited the depots were
from South Water street. where vegeta-
bIes. fruit. butter. eggs. poultry and the
Ike are dealt in by wholesalers.
The other truckmen. IL is said. IN many
Instances refused 20 take out their trucks
at all or having done so. drove to the
headquarters Of their union and begged
permission TO refrain from work. They
pleaded as an excuse that they feared per-
sonal violence at the hands Of freight
handlers on picket duty, such as befeli
a number OF teamsters yesterday.
]. Thompson. secretary Of the union,
told the men that II was their duty TO
work as long as work was possible, but his
arguments were not successful II the
freight strike IS settled the teamsters will
1T once resume work. II a settlement IS
Dot reached Il Is said commission mer-
shants on South Water street will lose
10000 through the destruction Of perish
able goods today.
The freight handlers held a number of
meetings today. at which committees were
appointed 20 visit the railroad managers
IN accordance with the plan proposed by
the board OF arbitration.
Canal street. which leads to the ware
house OF the Burlington road was again
Blocked this morning. a double line OF
trucks extending from Adams to Polk
streets. a distance OF five blocks. sew
eral big firms. after listening 70 the ex-
pressions OF fear from their drivers. de-
cided not 70 send their trucks out at all
today.
Police guards at all OF the depots were
reinforced this morning by the bringing
IN more men from the outlying districts.
The policemen stand in pairs 20 increase
their efficiency and IN order 70 protect
each other against sudden assault The
talk OF the drivers was all on one mat
ter:
Would the freight handlers strike be
settled by noon7"
Prom their words Il was evident they
were eager 20 strike officially I'm sympathy.
President Hugh MCGEE and other oficIais
- NA1 u -@AAucAE organization were I'M
porfuned ceaselessly TO call a strike but
they steadfastly refused. The calling Of a
strike. however. would merely make the
present actions Of the drivers authorfta-
tive. and would change the practical stu
alton but little.
The freight house superi4tendents were
bringing in men from other cities and
towns 10 take the places OF striking
freight handlers. and clerks had a sufi-
Gent force on hand 70 handle the usual
quantity OF freight. But the action OF the
truckmen left them with no freight TO
handle. The truckmen stationed al in
tervals along every street a teamster
with his truck drawn up 20 the curb as
9 picket.
Whenever a truck approached the driver
was stopped and informed that the men
were not working today. In this way a
cessation OF work was brought about al
most as quickly as IL would have been
had the officials called a strike officially.
At the headquarters OF the Transfers
Union Il was said that SEQ teamsters
were out. This. IL was said. left less than
30 men at work and these. IL was stated.
would drop their reins as son as word