The Northern Pacific Offers Strikers a Last Chance—With Strings Attached

General Manager Kendrick, of the Northern Pacific Railroad, has outlined the policy of the company in relation to the reinstatement of strikers, in a bulletin issued to all officers of the road which was received in this city yesterday. This bulletin shows it to be the intention to give those men engaged in the strike, who have not been guilty of any lawlessness and who have not been leaders in inciting other men to strike, a last chance to secure re-employment. Such men as re-enter the company's service now will take rank after the men newly employed. The bulletin reads as follows:

"St. Paul, July 11, 1894.

"On June 26 the American Railway Union precipitated a general strike upon this railroad because of the discharge of certain men for failing to perform their natural and legitimate duties incident to the switching and handling of trains with Pullman cars attached.

"The entire system has been crippled sixteen days by the strike and is not yet in a position to fulfill its entire duty as a carrier of the United States mails and interstate commerce. In order to perform its business it has been necessary to employ men to take the places of those who voluntarily relinquished their positions and to guarantee continued employment during faithful service to new employees.

"From the inception of the difficulty the former employees have been called upon for service in their respective positions, and a majority of them have refused, thus severing their connections with this road. Under the uniform and recognized custom regarding railroad service the positions filled must therefore be considered as being occupied permanently. Former employees are now seeking reinstatement in large numbers. It is the belief of the management that there are many men formerly in the employ of the road who were coerced into striking, or who were led to do so through a lack of proper appreciation of the circumstances and conditions, and who have taken no part in any riotous demonstrations, destruction of property or interference with employees who desired to and did enter upon or continue to perform the duties incident to the operation of the road, and who have both the will and the ability to render efficient and loyal service. Therefore notice is hereby given that until 12 o'clock noon, July 15, 1894, no new employee will be assigned to duty and applications will be received from such former employees as desire to re-enter the service, subject to the conditions and qualifications hereinafter stated. Application should be made to the superintendents, master mechanics, foremen and other officers and agents who usually and customarily employ men. Men re-entering the service will take rank and have rights in the positions now vacant in same relations to each other that existed before they severed their connections with the road. Men who have not been called or who have not evaded calls for service will be considered as still in the employ of the road, and will rank and have rights as on June 26, 1894. From and after 12 o'clock noon of Sunday next the assignment of new men to positions will continue, and seniority rights of such appointees will date from the time of their assignment to duty. Men who have fomented disturbance, who have participated in violence or in destruction of railroad property; who have counseled disobedience to the rules of this road, who have interfered with and sought to prevent men from performing service for the road, or, in other words, agitators, will not be acceptable and will not be re-employed or employed under any circumstances. The management promises to accord to the various labor organizations full recognition in the same manner and to the same extent in the future as in the past.

"J. W. Kendrick, General Manager."

Interest in the local strike situation was heightened yesterday by the announcement that President Debs had declared the strike off. For a time there was great commotion among the strikers and President Blondo, of the local American Railway Union, was besieged by anxious and excited workingmen who demanded authentic advices. Mr. Blondo placed no credence in the report and the following dispatch, received at 10:18 yesterday morning, was of great interest:

"Chicago, July 11, 1894. To T. S. Blondo, Seattle: Have not yet information relative to arbitration board. Indications favor settlement tomorrow. Stand firm. There is absolutely no reason for weakness. Pay no attention to the newspapers on anything. Loyal men will be protected. General situation is good. E. V. Debs."

The dispatch did not entirely allay the fears of the strikers, and they continued to exhibit signs of nervousness all day. The leaders endeavored to encourage them, and assured them that in their vocabulary there was no such word as "fail," at least in the present fight.

Twenty-five deputy marshals, appointed ten days ago to guard the railroad property in this city and aid in the successful operation of trains, were discharged yesterday by Deputy Marshal Quilter. Their dismissal was unexpected, and was quite as great a surprise to the deputies as to the strikers. Only 15 deputies were retained, and they are still on duty at various points about the railroad property in this city. When asked why the deputies were dismissed, Deputy Marshal Quilter said that their services were no longer required, that no further trouble was feared, and that the regular troops afforded ample protection should any acts of lawlessness be attempted.

The only coal mines in the state not affected by the present strike are those of the Oregon Improvement Company and the Black Diamond. The mines at Gilman, Carbonado, Wilkeson, Eureka, Kangley and Navy have been shut down. At Carbonado the merchants have declined to trust the miners for provisions, and as a result the people are going to Tacoma in wagons to buy what they need.

Word was received yesterday by J. W. Casey, traveling passenger and freight agent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, and M. P. Benton, traveling freight and passenger agent of the Burlington route, that all trains were running regularly and complete traffic had been resumed on those roads.