A SERIOUS SITUATION.

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MANY RAILROAD OFFICIALS FEAR A GENERAL STRIKE IS IMMINENT.

The Roads, However, Are Determined to Resist the Demands of Their Employes--New Hands to Be Hired--How the Freight-Handlers Were Forced Out Yesterday at Several Houses--Showing Contempt for the United States Court--A Victorious Mob--Monday's Developments Anxiously Awaited.

The freight-handlers' strike in this city has assumed much larger proportions than had been expected by the railroad managers. Not only did the men quit work on the roads which had been requested to give ten hours' pay for eight hours' labor, but on all the other roads centering in this city with the exception of one or two work was stopped yesterday morning. On some of these the men joined the strikers voluntarily, while on others they were forced to quit work. As the railroads promptly locked up their houses and did not attempt to do any work during the day no trouble of any kind occurred. But serious trouble is apprehended tomorrow, when the railroads mean to promptly discharge all men failing to go to work and fill their places with new men. The railroad managers think they will find no difficulty in securing all the new men they need to handle the business, and, if they get the proper protection, expect to go along without trouble. Should the strikers, however, try to prevent the new men there is likely to be a serious time. If the strike does not extend to any other employés except the freight-handlers the railroad people say they will be put to little inconvenience by the strike, as they will only be prevented from handling merchandise and such other property as is shipped in less than car-load lots. Cars loaded at elevators, warehouses, packing-houses, etc., can be promptly handled, as well as all other interchange business which requires only switching from the Western to the Eastern roads, or vice versa. Should, however, the switchmen and other employés take a hand in the conflict and join the freight-handlers then all traffic would be suspended. None of the roads mean to accede to the demands of the freight-handlers, feeling that by doing so at this time they would only aggravate the situation, as it would induce the men employed in other branches of the business to demand similar concessions. The managers of the roads are unanimous in saying that they cannot afford to grant the increase demanded. Their doing so would increase their operating expenses to such an extent as to prevent them from earning sufficient to pay their fixed charges and expenses, and not a road in the country would be able to earn any dividends with the present light business. A majority of them think, however, by meeting their men in a friendly spirit and explaining to them the unreasonableness of their demands and the serious results to arise therefrom, they can be induced to continue at work, and without an advance in wages, until times become better and warrant an increase.

A few of the roads fear the worst and are of the opinion that no amount of parleying can prevent a general strike. They say that this is an epidemic which has to run its course, and it is better to look the danger square in the face and be prepared to apply the proper remedy to eradicate the evil. Thus far no steps have been taken to secure concert of action on the part of the roads, evidently because many of them still hope to be able to avert a strike and that their men will go back to work tomorrow. A meeting of the General Superintendents of the various roads centering in this city was to have been held yesterday, but did not come off. If the roads are prevented from working Monday the meeting will no doubt be held and concerted action taken, it being generalty admitted that unless all the roads stand together and make a common fight the danger of being beaten would be very great.

A leading official of the Chicago & Alton stated that his company had as yet taken no steps to meet the difficulty. Nothing could be done or even predicted until it was found what tomorrow will bring forth. If the men went to work again, or even a portion of them, and the strikers were prevented from interfering, there would be no difficulty in handling the business. About eighteen or twenty of the men came back at noon yesterday and asked to be reëmployed. They will be set to work tomorrow morning, provided they are still willing to work. It is probable, said he, that these men are merely playing a foxy game; that they mean to be driven from work, so that they can claim they were prevented from working and thus secure the good will of the company. In any event the company would make a strong effort to handle the business at its freight-houses Monday morning.

A prominent officer of the Rock Island said that the freight-handlers employed by his company were inclined to continue at work, but they were driven off by the men from other places. He had strong hopes that nearly all the men would go to work again tomorrow morning. If not, his company would employ new men, there being plenty of applicants. The company could not under the existing condition of affairs grant the demands of the men. The feeling on the labor question was such that it would be dangerous to consider the subject with the men at this time. After the subsidence of the trouble his company will be ready to meet the men either single or in bodies and consider their grievances and grant such relief as is found to be just.

The managers of the Burlington say they will open their freight houses tomorrow morning and employ all men who are willing to work. They would and could not at this time grant the demands of the strikers, but they hoped that if properly protected they would find no difficulty in handling their business. The company would use all fair means to properly protect the men willing to work.

The General Manager of the Eastern Illinois said his men had no grievances, but were driven from work and threatened with violence if they refused to quit. Two of the men, he said, who had been in the employ of his company several years shed tears when they were compelled to join the strikers. He said his company will wait a reasonable time for the old men to return to work. If they refuse to come back new men would be employed.

The Northwestern Railroad managers are still laboring with their men, trying to induce them to continue at work, and they still hope to be able to prevent a strike. The managers of the other roads in this city expressed substantially the same opinions as those quoted above. All of them will open their freight houses tomorrow morning and attempt to carry on their business. While some of them think most of their old men will come back to work and there will be no serious trouble, others are of the opinions that they are on the eve of a serious conflict, and that unless the authorities act promptly and decisively serious trouble will result, and they are preparing to meet the issue.

Superintendent Stone of the Burlington & Quincy and Superintendent Clinton of the Chicago Division of the Milwaukee & St. Paul had a conference with Mayor Harrison yesterday morning. The subject was the protection of railroad property, the two callers desiring to know what preparations had been made in that direction. The Mayor was not communicative to reporters, saying that he would try to protect property as far as he could, and that the railroad officials went away satisfied. They came to advise as to what ought to be done and he gave them his views, but what these were he didn't care to say.

How the Freight-Handlers Went Out.

As early as 7 o'clock yesterday morning the entire body of striking freight-handlers of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad were assembled under the Harrison street viaduct. Somewhat later committees of the freight-handlers from the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, the Chicago & Alton, and other roads began assembling, so that by 8 o'clock there must have been 400 men in the crowd. Some of the leaders made speeches, counseling the men to keep cool, but urging them to stand together, as that was the only way in which they could carry their point of eight hours' work and ten hours' pay. It was demonstrated to the satisfaction of the aforesaid speakers, and evidently to the majority of the men, that they could not fail in their demand and that the railroads would have to yield. Presently someone wanted to know why all the Chicago & Alton freight handlers were not present, and, as no one could answer the question, the entire gathering resolved itself into a committee of the whole and proceeded to that company's freight-houses to investigate. The men were discovered at work, but they speedily gave way to the pressure brought to bear upon them, and quit work in a body, thus closing both the in and out freight-houses.

About 9 o'clock an organized band of about 300 striking freight-handlers from other roads, accompanied by a mob of sympathizers, invaded the freight-yards of the Wabash Road, at the corner of Twelfth street and Third avenue. They ordered the men to fall into line and march off with them, but the latter refused, and the striking mob was driven from the yards. The Wabash hands then resumed work, but inside of three-quarters of an hour the striking mob returned considerably reinforced, pulled down the doors of the freight-houses, and compelled the eighty-five Wabash freight-handlers to quit work and fall into line. Notices were posted around the yards giving warning that as the Wabash Road is under a receiver appointed by the United States Courts all persons committing any trespasses, causing any damages, or interfering with the receiver's management of the property and business of the company would be in contempt of the United States Courts. In spite of this warning the strikers invaded the company's yard and interfered with the conduct and management of the company's business by carrying off its employés. No arrests were made, for no policemen were present, but if the names of the leaders can be discovered they will be proceeded against. The authorities of the Wabash Road made application to Judge Gresham for the appointment of fifteen Deputy Marshals to look after the company's property, and meantime have secured the services of ten policemen from Chief Ebersold. Mr. Winans, the local freight agent, expects his men will all return to work Monday morning, as they had no grievances or complaints about their wages or hours. In spite of the absence of the freight-handlers freight was received all day, the services of the clerks being called into requisition. All perishable freight, also, was delivered by the watchmen and other extra men about the yards.

After leaving the Wabash houses the strikers made an effort to form in line, but, failing, directed their steps to the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Company's freight-house without regard to marching order. Their visit was anticipated, however, for when they arrived they found the doors of the freight-house closed and the men outside awaiting them. An invitation to the latter to still further augment the size of the now thoroughly disorganized crowd of frantically-shouting men was accepted. The leaders at this juncture apparently realized the necessity for at least the semblance of order, and an attempt was thereupon made to form the 600 or 700 men into line, although it was only partially successful.

Up to this time the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad freight-handlers were without representation among the strikers, a fact that led to a visit to that company's freight-houses. When the crowd arrived outward appearances indicated that no men were at work, as all the doors were closed and no freight was being received. The leaders, however, were too well posted to be deceived in this way, and one of them commenced tapping upon a door. Almost instantly it was thrown open from the inside, doubtless by a man in collusion with the strikers, and within a few seconds about 700 strikers were on the inside, persuading the men at work to quit at once and join the ranks of those who were wanting shorter hours of labor at present wages. There was a disposition on the part of the men at work to continue, as they had lost an entire week while the switchmen were out. A war of words ensued, and for a few minutes matters looked intensely exciting. A detail of police made its appearance about the time the men concluded to quit work, so that very little was to be done. A great cheer signified that the strikers had again carried their point, and that another road had closed the doors of its freight-house. About twenty men were left at work to clean up some perishable freight, but they promised to join the others as soon as they were through.

The Louisville, New Albany & Chicago freight-house was visited next, and as soon as the strikers made their appearance the doors were closed and the handling of freight put a stop to. The Chicago & Atlantic, the Chicago & Grand Trunk, and the Chicago & Eastern Illinois men all went out somewhat later, and apparently without previous direction by the strikers. The behavior of the strikers thus far was nothing better than that of a howling mob, each addition to their numbers increasing their enthusiasm, the latter finally growing into excitement. For a few minutes it looked as if a riot was on the point of breaking out in the Lake Shore freight-house, but happily it was tided over. At the Wabash freight-house there was a disposition to tear down the doors, but all demonstration of this kind was averted.

After the lower chain of freight-houses had been visited and all the freight-handlers except those employed by the Illinois Central had joined the strikers, another effort was made to form the men into line. A little more success was met with this time, but it was a sorry-looking procession. It was apparently without a head, had a straggling tail, displayed no banners, and marched without music. The on-lookers were invited to swell the ranks, and, as the 1,500 men marched and countermarched, everyone who had a voice was engaged in the effort to raise it above his neighbor's. After marching for a few moments the main body determined not to go to the Central's freight-house, but chose a committee to see the men who were working. The latter told the committee they had sent in a petition to the company and would wait an answer, which would be returned Monday, and in the meantime didn't want to be disturbed. The committee then left.

The Meeting in the Afternoon.

While no actual violence was attempted there was nevertheless every indication that the slightest provocation would have precipitated trouble. The men were unorganized and excited, and not in condition to heed the good advice of their leaders. The mob spirit was manifested, but nothing occurred to lash it into resentment. The men continued perambulating until the dinner hour, when all of them mysteriously disappeared. Towards 3 o'clock in the afternoon some of those who marched in the morning, together with representatives of the freight-handlers from every road in the city, began assembling at No. 54 West Lake street. It was for the purpose of holding a meeting to consider the best plan for consolidating or perfecting a permanent organization of the freight-handlers to enforce the demands made upon the railroads, as well as to take some steps towards being admitted to the Knights of Labor. Nearly 1,000 men tried to gain admittance to the hall, but scarcely more than one-third of this number succeeded.
The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad freight-handlers to the number of about 200, who quit work at 10 o'clock in the morning, attended the meeting in a body. Very little actual business was transacted, but it was finally decided to hold a meeting at 3 o'clock today, to be attended by a committee of nine from each freight house in the city. The only action taken with reference to the strike itself was the unanimous passage of a resolution to fight it out to the end and to hold a mass-meeting of the freight-handlers tomorrow on the Lake-Front.

The Illinois Central freight-handlers continue at work pending the receipt of an answer to the petition presented by them to the company. This answer will not be received before tomorrow, and some of the strikers said yesterday afternoon that if the answer wasn't satisfactory and the men didn't quit work that all of those who were out would go down and pull them out.

The Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago and the Chicago & Northwestern freight-handlers all quit at noon yesterday, the pressure from the strikers being too great for them to resist longer. The Baltimore & Ohio freight-handlers have made no demand upon their company as yet, and from present appearances will continue at work without molestation by the men who are now out. This practically leaves the city with only one Eastern and one Western outlet or inlet for freight, with indications pointing to the latter being closed tomorrow.

The seventy freight-handlers at the south branch station of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway presented a petition yesterday afternoon to the local freight agent asking for eight hours' work and ten hours' pay. The answer was received one hour later from the Superintendent, and was an unequivocal refusal to comply with the demand. The men then turned in and cleaned up all the perishable freight, and at 6 o'clock quit work with the understanding that none of them would resume Monday, and that they would remain out until the company complied with their demands.

Inquiry was made of the several local freight agents as to whether shippers had been notified that no freight would be received and concerning the probable action to be taken by the companies. Some few admitted that their shippers had been notified, while others said nothing had been done and that they were simply awaiting developments. The Wabash people were being crowded with telephonic inquiries as to whether they were receiving freight or not, while in other cases the wires were burdened with messages asking for information touching the general outlook and the prospects for a settlement of the trouble. None of the agents could tell anything about it, and as none of them would admit that there was a general understanding among the roads as to how they would treat the strikers or attempt to supply their places with new men they were not satisfactory subjects for interviews.

Trouble has also appeared at the Rock Island car shops in the Town of Lake. Over 1,000 men employed in the various departments at the shops have circulated petitions in which they ask that the unskilled laborers be increased 20 per cent in wages and the skilled men be increased 15 per cent. The men work nine hours and announce themselves satisfied with that portion of the agreement. A committee of two from each department has been appointed to present the petitions. It was the intention to present the petitions yesterday, but Master-Mechanic Twombly being away in Iowa it was decided not to do anything until he returned. He was expected last evening, but may not return until Monday. The petition will be presented to Mr. Twombly and will then be sent to the officials of the road.