The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-15
Situation is Now More Serious
Than at Any Time Since
the Trouble Began
COMMITTEE SNUBBED At
ONE OF The OFFICES
Charges OF Bad Faith Are Made BY
Railroad, Freight Handlers and
Arbitration Boand-Looks
Like Trouble Ahead.

Chicago, July 15.--At 2 a. m. confer
ence between the national executive
board of the Teamsters' Union, team
owners association, freight handlers un-
ion, Chicago Federation of Labor and
the Truck Teamsters' executive commit
tee, resulted in a new proposition which
will be presented to the railway managers
today. In the new proposition the freight
handlers agree to accept the wage sched-
ules as presented July 1 with the follow
ing concessions:
First-Elimination of probation.
second-Straight time for overtime for
all employees.
Third-Seventeen and half cents an
hour for truckers.
After the conference had adjourned the
officers of the teamsters union issued a
petition asking the teamsters belonging to
two of the local unions to return to work
in order to prevent the total loss of sew
eral hundred cars of fruit that is lying
on the sidings.
Chicago, July 14.-While the wholesale
business OF this city is almost complete
ly paralyzed, and while its business men
are suffering a loss of $1,OoOOOO per day
the striking freight handlers and the
railroads are In deadlock and announce
their determination to fight to a finish
over the question of one-half cent per
hour per man, or a total of about $500
every twenty-four hours; this sum being
divided on one side between twenty-five
railroads and on the other between 10000
men.
The situation tonight is more serious
than at any time since the commence
ment OF the trouble and at no time since
the walkout have points at issue been
so obstinately maintained. Three times
today the freight handlers sent commit
tees to see the general managers and
three times they came back without re-
suit The first call was made without
giving warning to the managers, and
when the committees arrived they were
unable to find any of them. for the -ea-
son that the managers were having a
meeting of their own and were not at
their offices. Their second call produced
more effect as several of the committees
saw the managers, but nothing definite
resulted. The last committees were sent
out by President Curran, of the Freight
Handlers Union, at the demand of the
teamsters, who wanted something at
tempted toward a settlement This time
the committees were started so late in
the afternoon that 1t was foregone
conclusion that they would not find
many of the general managers in their
offices. All the committees reported as
before. that they had failed of any re-
suit.
Were Refused Admission.
The committee that went to the Chi
cago, Milwaukee and st. Paul Railroad
came back with the information that
they had been refused admission and
were informed that their former employ
ers did not care to receive them; that
they had all the men necessary in their
business and that hereafter no deputa-
tions would be received from employees
who had gone on strike. The officials of
the road declared later that they would
maintain this position.
After this had been reported at the
headquarters of the strikers President
Curren ar nounced that the fight was on
to a finish, and that hereafter when the
railroads had any overtures to make or
wished to do any business with their
transact sucn business through the offl-
GERS of the Freight Handlers Union
Both sides now declare they have
reached the limit and absolutely nothing
would be conceded. The business men of
the city, particularly those who deal in
perishab1e gooos, ave growing restive, and
declare they can endure the situation but
a short time longer. 1t is costing them
more the n either the strikers or the rail-
roads. end they say that If the strike Is
rot settled within a week many of them
will be badly crippled. To bring about an
end to the blockade, which is maintained
by the strikers and the teamsters, the
commiss ion men of South Water street
met this afternoon to take matters into
their own hands.
Will Drive Their Own Wagons.
1t was out of the question for the en-
ployers to look to the teamsters to drive
to the depots, and they, therefore, will
drive their own wagons to the depots to-
morrow. A message was sent to Mayor
Harrison asking If police protection
would be given THIN, and word was re-
ceived that ample protection would be
afford ed.
During the day the officials of the Erie
road sent a communication 20 Chief of
Police O'Neil. saying they had been in
formed that merchants in the city were
preparing to deliver freight tomorrow to
III. III
demanding that the police furnish them
protection, while 1t was being done. The
letter was referred to Corporation Coun-
sci Walker, who declared that it was the
duty of the police to furnish such pro-
lection, and the Erie people were in
formed that protection would be given
them The police say that 1t is impossible
for them to place man on every wagon
that is seeking the freight depots, and
say they will not attempt this. They de-
clare they will keep the way to the freight
houses open and suppress all disorder
around the dapots. The danger to the men
who deliver freight is not so much at
the depot as 1t will be from the men
who Will follow them when they leave
the depot and attack them when they are
not In the vicinity of the police.
No Attempt at Delivery.
There were but few such cases today. as
nobody attempted to deliver any freight.
One driver took two small packages to
the depot of the Pennsylvania road, and
at last accounts he was still besieged