New-York tribune., 1908-08-06
OVER 5000 STRIKERS
c. p. SHOPMEN QUIT.
Entire System CoUered-Operdtion
of Trains Not effected.

Montreal Quebec, Aug. 5.-Returns received
by union leaders here tonight show that the
strike order promulgated from this city this
morning by Bell Hardy. chairman Of the Fed
Grafton Of Mechanics of the Canadian Paclho
Railway, was obeyed by the employs in the me-
chanical department OF the railway in every
shop from ST John N b, to Vancouver. B. c.
It is estimated here that about eight thousano
men are out, though this estimate is below that
made at Western points. At Winnipeg the num-
Der out is put at twelve thousand The Mont
real shops alone account for over two thousand
idle men, The union leaders tonight say that
the strike will cripple operations on the whole
railway system unless q settlement is reached
soon. The mechanics are evidently well organ
ICED and determined to fight, and the company
is equally prepared to stand on what it con-
siders its rights
Officials of the Canadian Pacific refused to-
night to make any statement beyond the dec
laratfon that they would stand by the award Of
the Board of Arbitration and Cancellation ap-
pointed under the Lemieu1 law to consider the
matters in dispute between the company and
its mechanics.
There is slight probability OF government inter
,-eption From Ottawa comes the information
that the Labor Department will make no further
efforts TO adjust the difficulties. and that. its
decision in the matter of the wage dispute hav-
ing proven unsatisfactory. there is nothing more
that the department do. The powers given
the department by the Lenieux law have been
exhausted, and all efforts at conciliation and ar
bitration have failed. The federal authorities
probably will not be heard from In the dispute
unless there is violence, and this is regarded as
unlikely.
The strike became effective at 10 O'Clock this
morning and ST. John. Halifax Montreal. North
Bsy winnipeg and other cities of Canada wit
messed the same scenes. In each shop whistle
was blown by marshal appointed by the cen
traI committee. the machinery was stopped,
tools were laid down and the men walked quiet
" out as though going 10 their midday meal In
Montreal about thirteen hundred men, including
laborers who were not included in the strike
call" and carpenters and joiners. whose status
is in doubt were left at work Before the
trouble is settled the carpenters and joiners, who
constitute the majority Of those still at work,
are likely TO go out
Approximate figures show that the average
weekly payroll Of the mechanical department of
the Canadian Pacific is close to s250,o00 Thus.
II the strike lasts a month it will take a cool
million dollars out of the pockets Of the eight
thousand men. The average daily pay Of each
man is something under 81. Rumors are cur
rent in some circles that members of the oper-
ating departments would also go out in sym
pathy, but this is thought unlikely. 1t is said
in some quarters, however. that the trainmen
will walk out in sympathy on Saturday Train
mems representatives. said to-day that striking
had not been considered.
Winnipeg Man, Aug. 5-Fifteen hundred
Canadian Pacific shopmen quit at Winnipeg. 1t
seems to be the most extensive strike IN the his
tory Of railway shops in Canada
The railway officials view is that the finding
! OF q conciliatory board. appointed at the re-
quest OF the men, should be binding the men.
The railway not only did not seek arbitration,
but believing the board to be hostile to the
company withdrew their representative and
the government appointed another arbitrator to
represent the company. The boards finding was
accepted by the Canadian Pacific Railway under
protest and the company's officers surprised
at the refusal Of the men to acquiesce.