People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 May 1894 — THE STRIKE ENDS. [ARTICLE]

THE STRIKE ENDS.

Great Northern Trouble* Are Settled by Arbitration. St. Paul, Minn., .May 2.—After being tied up for eighteen days almost completely from end to end, the Great Northern railway system will now resume work, the great strike being declared off Tuesday night It is practically a victory for the American Railway union and President Debs, although the committee from the commercial bodies of the two cities was largely responsible for the result The governor had tried mediation, suggesting arbitration, but his action did not meet with success and two other similar attempts to bring about arbitration failed. The union leaders claimed that their demands were just and did not admit of arbitration, but they finally said they were willing to have the matter submitted to the citizens’ committee and would be governed by their decision. Various conferences were held by that committee with President Hill and with the labor leaders. Mr. Ilill was in favor of arbitration all along, and agreed to any system of arbitration if the men would resume work. Finally the committee got them to meet Mr. Hill Tuesday afternoon and the result is that the strike has been declared off. The conference went over all details thoroughly and Mr. Hill made great concessions to the men. The strikers gained most of their demands, while the company secured a settlement , through arbitration, as President Hill desired. Tha 4,500 miles of track will be opened for business at once by over 5,000 employes. -I The following is the decision of the arbitrators: “iVhereas, At a joint meeting held this day between the management or the Great Northern railway, its employes and this committee of arbitration, at least 90 per cent of the difference in wages in controversy were amicably settled between the company and its em ployes, now, after hearing the statement submitted by the parties in interest, we find as a result of our deliberations that 75 per cent of the reduction in wages made since August, 1893, of all other classes of men whose claims were submitted to us should be restored.” There was great rejoicing at Grand Forks, N. D., when news of the settlement of the strike reached there, and the men at once returned to work. General Manager C. W. Case, of tha Great Northern railway, has resigned his position because of complications arising out of some misunderstandings in connection with the beginning of the strike on that road. It is reported that General Superintendent Bryan has also resigned, but this report cannot be confirmed.