Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1902-07-12
STRIKERS TO BLAME.
So Say Railway Officials Concerning
Freight Handlers Strike.
Men Are Being Brought to Chicago
from the Country to Fill Vacan-
cieg-Teamsters May De-
eide to Go Out

Chicago, July 9.-Railroad officials
do not feel that the strikers have Civ
en- them a fair chance to avoid the
troubles. Many of those in authority
declare that the walkout was called
without any of the men involved COM
ing to them with their complaints, so
it was practically impossible for them
to either make concessions if such a
thing were necessary or make any
kind of agreement. They insist in
some cases nothing can be done until
the strikers come forward plainly
with their grievances.
Strikers Being Replaced.
Unless the teamsters come to the
rescue of the striking freight handlers
the indications are that the strike is
lost. The railroads have already
shown that they can replace the strik-
ers. In number OF the freighthouses
every vacant place has been filed.
Emissaries are securing the country
for men able to handle freight. Coun-
try station agents, section hands and
all available clerks from outside Of
fees are being rushed to Chicago to
work in the freighthouses.
Express No Alarm.
The strikers expressed no alarm
when they learned of the success of
the railroads in getting men. Presi-
dent Curran said:
agents and stockholders, clerks and
freight handlers from country towns can
not remain In Chicago all the time. In fill
ing the places in Chicago the companies
are weakening the outside stations and
other departments. 1t is not weakening
the strike, for the men know that the
force now in the freighthouses Is only
temporary one"
In spite of Mr.. Curran's statement,
however, the railroads seem to be get
ting the upper hand. It is true that
much freight has accumulated, but
with the forces at work it looks as if
it would be cleared up.
Teamsters Are Wavering.
Pickets surround the freighthouses
and swarms of private detectives mix
with the strikers and are prompt to
suppress any demonstration. The
teamsters are torn with conflicting
emotions. They are asked in the name
of unionism to refuse to deliver or
accept freight from the nonunion
workmen. Their business agents are
on hand, however, and order them to
disregard the strike, reminding them
of the agreements entered into short
ly after the famous stockyards team
sters' strike.
Arbitrators Are Busy.
Chairman Frederick w. Job and W.
A. Mathis, of the state board of arbi-
tration, spent Tuesday forenoon visit
ing the freighthouses. They secured
a carriage and drove to the scenes of
trouble. They made no effort to see
the railroad officials ana the trip was
made, it is understood, to secure facts
that may be of value should they be-
gin an investigation of the difficulty
with the view of placing the response
bility for the strike.
May Be Settled.
At the close of the second day of the
strike every indication pointed to
settlement of the trouble to-day.
Strong pressure was brought to bear
on the contest ants from allsides Tues
day, and at 10 o'clock this morning
committees from the railroads will
meet with the managers and discuss
terms.
DEUCE AT OYSTER BAY.