Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-27
FREIGHT HANDLERS ~.TRlkE
Continues on the New York, New
Haven e Hartford System.

Boston, May 26.-The problem which
the merchants of Boston had to face,
today, was how to Shp't hcir freight
to New York in consequence of the de-
cision of the N. Y, N. II. & II, Rail-
road TO accept for the present no freight
for New York on account of the strike
of the freight handlers. Up to 10 O'clock
no word had been received from the
officers of the road in New Haven re-
scinding the order as to New York
freight. 1t was expected here, however,
that an order will be issued before
long authorizing the acceptance of con-
signments for New York City.
The solution which the merchants
who use the New Haven road adopted
was the shipping of their freight over
the Boston q Albany, and over the
F'itchburg division of the Boston &
Maine Railroad to the New York line
and thence down the Hudson river by
the New York Central Railroad. 9th
ers used the metropolitan Steamship
service from this port to New York.
A New Haven official said, today,
that the situation seemed less compl-
Gated. At the same time, freight con-
signed to any point on the New Haven
Road is received with the understand
ing that it is subject to delay.
While the strikers admitted, today.
that full crews of non-union freight
handlers had been at work in the Mott
Haven yards of the N. Y, N. III. e. ii.
| Railroad for two days. they professed
to be, on the whole, well satisfied with
the prevailing conditions. The new
men all of whom are Italians, are alb
solutely unable to handle the traffic
the strikers say. and they claim that
the congestion resulting from the
strike has been only slightly relieved.
great quantity of pcrishable freight
they say, is tied up in the yards and
on the floats with little prospect of be-
ing moved before it becomes a total
loss.
The express transfer boat Maryland,
loaded with freight cars. was tied up
ut her dock, today. unable to proceed,
owing to the strike of her nremcn,
last night. Six transfer floats, some of
them having on board a number of
fruit cars. also had little prospect of
getting away.
| Along the East river, distinct i'm
provement in the handling of freight
was apparent A large number of
negroes were at work handling freight
and the men in charge said they We're
proving satisfactory. Accommodations
of freight were being cleared up slow
ly in some instances, but the progress
seemed steady and there was little to
| indicate that q strike was in progress
All trucks needed for the collection and
distribution of freight were available
much of the surplus freight which could
not he handled by the regular sound
boats was transferred to the central
Vermont and Maine steamship lines.
The situation along the North river
front was practically unchanged, to-
day. The boats continued to arrive on
time and although they carried less
than the usual amount of freight. the
work of handling proceeded rapidly
and I'm an orderly manner. More than
1OO applicants for work were turned
away from two Of the piers, full crews
being reported at work at both places
The strikers were reported to have re-
sorted to conversion at several points
although there was no actual violence.
While a heavy truck loaded with bar
reJs of fish and driven by union
man was passing along Warren street
three men, said to be strikers, cut the