A. We made every preparation to start, with the exception of coupling up the train. I examined the train as I was going into the yard. I thought the men were rather long in getting the engine out. I started up, and on going to the train men's room met two of my brakemen, and asked the cause of the delay. They told me they didn't intend to go out. I asked the reason. They said they had either quit or struck--I don't recollect. I asked what their object was in striking. They said they didn't intend to run on double-headers--that they were not making any more than a living at that time, and that by running double-headers, it would cause some of them to be dismissed or suspended. That they didn't know who it would be, and as they had the advantage at that time, they would make the best use of it they could. Q. Those were your brakemen? A. Yes. Q. What were their names? A. One was named John Vensel and the other I cannot give his first name. In giving in his time, I always gave it as M. Martin. Q. What time had you this conversation with them? A. I judge about nine o'clock. Q. They said that some of them would be dismissed? A. Yes. Q. Did you have any further conversation with them? A. I did. Q. What about? A. I tried to advise them not to strike, and showed them the folly of it. I told them that the times were hard at present and that freight was very slack, and that the company was trying to economize and that their chances were just as good as mine. I advised them to stay. They claimed "no," that they had determined to quit, and were going to do it or had done it. I notified the dispatcher then that the men had quit, and asked what I was to do. He told me to remain, and that he would provide men for me. He went around and made an effort to get men but could not get them. I then asked permission to go to dinner, and I went, and came back about twelve or one. There was no change in the affair at all, everything remained just as it had been. Q. Where did these men go when they refused to go out on the train? A. In the yard. Q. They did not go home? A. No; they remained in the yard up to the time I left, and I saw them there in the afternoon. Q. Were there any other men about at that time? A. Yes; men were continually coming in off the road. Q. How many men were there when you left to go to dinner? A. I should judge about eighteen or twenty men at that time. Q. Did you have any conversation with any other men? A. With my flagman. Q. What did he say? A. He thought as the rest did, that now was the time to strike or quit, and that they all had concluded to do it, and that all my conversation with him would not change his ideas a particle. Q. What men were coming in? A. The men off the regular freight trains kept coming in there during the day. Q. They joined the other men? A. Yes; and swelled the crowd. Q. Did you talk with those men to find out whether they had arranged for this strike previously?