Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-07-17
RAILROADS WIN.
Chicago Freight Handlers Vote
to Return to Work.
Pres. Curran Changes Treachery
Among Their Own Numbers.
Believed That Railroads Will Give Men
Better Terms.

Chicago. July 16.-After 10 DAYS O
strike the Chicago freight handlers
strike terminated, today, in an un
qualified victory for the railroads. A
meeting of the strikers, presided owe,
by President Curran, resulted in an al.
most unanimous vote to return tC
work. leaving the wage scale and othe,
questions. for settlement between the
men and their respective roads.
AT the conclusion of the meeting tho
strikers. went by hundreds to the
warehouses to apply for their old po-
sitions and the teamsters who have re-
manned out in sympathy again took up
the reins. By noon immense quantities
of freight which had been held back for
days were being rushed to the rail-
roads. or taken from warehouses and
cars. Where stagnation had ruled
commercial activity again reigned.
Chicago merchants expressed unbound
ed relief at the termination of hostil-
tiles, but they were scarcely less hap
by then the men themselves, although
the strike is estimated to have cost
$10,00O,000, to say nothing of the trade
that has been lost to Them
The Association of Railway General
Managers, embracing every road which
enters Chicago. have issued the follow
ing signed statement, this afternoon:
'All of our old men, not before on
hand for work, reported at the freight
houses at one, today, and were put to
work. No conference was held with
any committee or otherwise since
Tuesday and no agreement was made
with the union or with any committee.
The men simply reported for work and
they doubtless expect and will receive
the pay offered July 1, and which the
railroad companies have been willing
all along TO pay
The little hall where the meeting of
strikers took place was damned to suf-
location and thousands We're unable to
obtain entrance. 1t was a brief meet
ing, only long enough for an angry
speech by Curran and the vote which
followed.
Men," said Curran, Eve 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.
Yesterday when 1 was about to use the
telephone the wires got crossed and l
heard one of the members of our
executive committee talking with Il
railroad manager. He was encourage
ing the management to hold out for he
told them that the strike was almost
broken. That is sample of the faith
that has been kept with me. The Of
fcials of the Truck Drivers Union have
not kept faith, either, and it seems
useless to continue any longer. Shall
we go back and ask for our Old jobs ?"
In this simple form the matter was
put to a vote and almost Immediately
81 great GLORIOUS of ayes" had brought
to a peaceful end one of Chicago's
most serious and threatening labor
situations. 1t is believed the roads
generally will allow the truckers Il
cents an hour and minor concessions
granted by the proposition of July l.
The proposition accepted by the men
was. in effect, the one given to Presi-
dent Curran by the State Board of Ar
bitration earlier in the day, although
the proposition in it's proper form was
not placed before the men. The rail-
road managers, when told of the vote
TO return to work said that wherever
possible old men would be taken back.