The Great Strike on the 'Q' Part 15

Indeed, sad it is for men to fight honorably, and with whole soul, only to find out, after losing all, that they are cut off from ammunition! Now then, left without ammunition, what is left for the soldier to do--surrender or be cut down?

Our course in this depends on speedy action, and we therefore demand immediate answer from your Grand Lodge, stating decidedly the future treatment. Shall it continue as before, or shall it be cut off? As our men are radical, we ask you to answer by telegraph, up to 2 P. M., Monday, November 26, "Yes" or "No." If no answer is received up to this time it will be considered by this body a negative answer, and copies of this will be sent to all subordinate divisions and lodges of the Big Four organizations. Yours fraternally,

[Signed] T. J. TIERNEY, M. T. MAHONEY, J. RYAN, Engineers.

M. s.h.i.+ELDS, JOHN A. HIENISH, DAVID BAIN, Switchmen.

The answer came by mail, and reads as follows:

OFFICE OF THE GRAND DIVISION BROTHERHOOD OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS, CLEVELAND, NOV. 26, 1888.

_M. T. Mahoney_:

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: Yours of the 24th at hand, and in reply thereto we sent a check Sat.u.r.day, to pay the engineers and switchmen alike for October. After that time we can pay nothing for the switchmen. You seem to think that the power is vested in the Grand Officers to levy a.s.sessments for the support of the switchmen; but such is not the case. We can only act as directed by the Convention. The Convention directed that an a.s.sessment be levied for the support of the engineers at $50 per month, and that is as far as we can act.

Yours fraternally, [Signed] T. S. INGRAHAM, F. G. A. E.

Previous to these letters, the Chairman of the switchmen had written to Cleveland to make inquiry about the October pay. The answer to his letter is also herewith given:

CLEVELAND, O., NOV., 22, 1888.

_J. A. Hienish, Esq._:

In reply to yours of 18th, I can only say that, although the Grand Chief was particular to call attention to the fact that no provision was made for October payroll, no steps were taken to supply that want, and all that we can do is to forward the amounts as fast as money comes in on donations, which is very slow, and with October payroll all payments to switchmen and brakemen will cease, as the further a.s.sessment was levied to pay engineers only.

We have, however, advised the engineers to share what they receive with the switchmen.

Whether or not they will do it, they can answer. We shall send a draft today to pay the men at Chicago, both engineers and switchmen for October, and to other points as fast as we can get the money, which is the best we can do.

Yours truly, [Signed] T. S. INGRAHAM, F. G. A. E.

Letters were sent by the strikers to all the Brotherhood Divisions throughout the western country, notifying them of the arbitrary action of the officers and telling them the condition of the men.

No word had been received from Chairman Cavener or his committee of nine until after the 9th of December, when the switchmen of Chicago declared the strike off, as far as concerned themselves. This action was taken with the consent and advice of the Grand Master of the a.s.sociation, and letters were sent to the switchmen along the line of road, advising them to take the same action and make any terms that they were able to make with the company.

The striking engineers and firemen at Chicago also advised this course and even offered to unite with the switchmen in following it out.

The switchmen along the line, acting on the advice of the Brotherhood men, refused to recognize the strike as off, and remained with the engineers, but without aid from the Brotherhood, as seen from the letters herewith given.

December 11, Mr. Cavener arrived in Chicago, and on the 28th of December representatives of the Brotherhood from west of the Missouri river a.s.sembled in Chicago to the number of two hundred. They were called together by Mr. Cavener to take final action on the strike.

From the 28th day of December to the 4th day of January, the daily papers were full of sensational rumors of boycotts, but no such action was contemplated by the Brotherhoods.

Below is given the full report of the settlement, issued from the Grand Lodge of the Switchmen's Mutual Aid a.s.sociation.

OFFICE OF THE GRAND LODGE, SWITCHMEN'S MUTUAL AID a.s.sOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA.

CHICAGO, ILL., Jan. 10, 1889.

_To All Subordinate Lodges_:

SIRS AND BROTHERS: At the late Convention of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, held at Richmond, Va., a Committee of nine was appointed to examine into the condition of the strike on the C., B. & Q. Railroad, and devise ways and means whereby it might be brought to a close. The Committee was composed of the following named gentlemen: A. R. Cavener, A. W. Perley, T. Hollinrake, Thos.

Humphreys, A. Le May, A. W. Logan, Edward Kent, Wm. C. Hayes and T.

P. Bellows. After the Committee had made a thorough investigation, they requested the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen to appoint a Committee to act in conjunction with them, and Grand Master Sargent appointed L. Mooney and S. W. Dixon as such Committee. This Joint Committee, in their report to the two Brotherhoods, say: An interview with the officials of the C., B. & Q. company was solicited and granted. Other interviews followed, in which the strike, in all its details was discussed, with a thorough appreciation of the gravity and importance of the situation. The Committee sought by all the means at its command to secure a settlement that would be of the largest possible advantage to the strikers. Every point was brought out and thoroughly discussed, and after a careful, patient and exhaustive review of the situation, a settlement was effected which met with the unanimous approval of the Joint Committee.

Preliminary to our report of the settlement, we desire to introduce the following doc.u.ments, which are self-explanatory:

CHICAGO, Jan. 4, 1889.

_Mr. E. P. Ripley, General Manager, Chicago_:

DEAR SIR: The enclosed is a copy of the communication which I was directed to give to the Committee of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, who have been in conference with us today, which was accepted by them, and they have declared the strike settled.

It is important that no question should arise as to the good faith of the company, and it is our desire and intention that there should be no opportunity for such question.

As to the meaning of the word "available," I desire to say that when it becomes necessary to employ men outside of those now in the service, care must be taken to consider all the qualifications that go to make up availability, including experience and familiarity with our surroundings and rules. In short, that the very best men are to be selected, regardless of personal relations or prejudices for or against any men or cla.s.s of men.

It should be further fully understood that the company does not desire to pursue those who have been guilty of improper conduct during the late strike, and while such men cannot be re-employed, and while we cannot give letters to them, no officer or employe should continue the animosities of the conflict after it is over, or interfere to prevent the employment of such men elsewhere. Yours truly,

HENRY B. STONE.

Similar letters will be sent to all the officers in charge of our different properties, and by them transmitted to their operating officers.

H. B. STONE.

WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY.

BOSTON, Jan. 3, 1889.

_To Henry B. Stone, Vice President C., B. & Q. Ry., Chicago_:

I did not telegraph yesterday, as you requested, because it seemed important under the circ.u.mstances, and since we have been asked by the engineers to say what our position is, that it should be done with the authority of the whole Executive Committee. The Committee is now in session, and I am authorized and instructed to send you the following:

"The company will not follow up, black list, or in any manner attempt to proscribe those who were concerned in the strike, but, on the contrary, will cheerfully give to all who have not been guilty of violence, or other improper conduct, letters of introduction, showing their record in our service, and will, in all proper ways, a.s.sist them in finding employment.

"The first duty of the management is to those who are in the company's employ, and we must remember, and protect their interests by promotions, and by every other means in our power. Beyond this, if it should become necessary to go outside of the service for men in any capacity, it is our intention to select the best men available, and in making selections, not to exclude those who were engaged in the strike of February 27, if they are the best men available, and provided they have not since been guilty of violence and other improper conduct."

You are authorized to give a copy of this message to the engineers who called upon you.

[Signed] C. E. PERKINS.