The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-15
A Compromise is Reached and the
Trouble Ended.
Both Sides Make Concessions, But
the Strikers Gain.
The Settlement Entirely Honorable
to All Parties Interested.
The Strikers Succeeded in Getting q
Raise of Wages and Better
Assignment of Hours
OF Work

CncHGo, ILL.,, Oct. li.-The great street
car strike, after duration OF nine DAYS,
was ended completely this evening on a
basis honorable TO both sides. The ques-
ton OF wages was compromised. An adj
vance was secured, but the scale is nate
rally lower than what had been in
sisted upon 10y the strikers up to the very
last. They get only about onc.third Of
the increase asked Tor On the other
hand, all the reforms demanded by The
men in the system Of working hours arc
conceded, and oil the strikers are to be
re.employed. The men hired by the COM
pany since the strike began will also be re-
tanned. Minor questions ut issue will be
settled by arbitration, the sole arbitrator
10 bo Lyman j. Cage, president OF tho
First National bank, who il the confident
OF both the strikers and President lcrkes.
The 'sct car" system, which the men
claimed prevented them from getting fair
amount OF sleep at any timo and kept them
constantly In the harness, making only a
small share Of partial endowment practica-
bile, has been abolished. The working
day is 10 be- ten consecutive hours, with
pay upon an hourly scale. Traffic on
every street car line OF the North Side
will bc resumed tomorrow morning,
lifting the embargo completely, tho
West Side ears having run today by an
extension OF Saturdays truce. Agreement
was reached at u meeting which lasted
nearly six houn. Those present wcre
Mayor Roche, committees of the strikers
headed by Master Workman Chris
tie, aud President lcrkcs with tho
two attorneys OF the company. The
conference was held In the general offices
OF the street car syndicate, and proceed
ings began with the strikers asking, as
preliminary to the compromise, the dis
change ut the new men. This WIS met by
flat refusal, An animated discussion en-
sued ON this point, aud when the number
Of men 30 be- retained was stated both
sides showed evidence OF n desire Ia con-
cillalc. Mr.. lcrkcs then agreed to talo
back his old men altogether, retaining tho
new men az CNtuu Then came the tug.
Mr. lcfkCs had dcclard that be- would
never consent to an hourly scale ui WAGES
or an increase in pay. IL NaA now do
mnudcd thnt hc yield both. Argument at
THIS stage scctucd.ntcrminahlc. figurcs
oi compromise were offered aud
rejected. Tho men ~ last announced
that they would ucccdo 10 q horizontal
raise nf pcr cent Mr.. lcrkcs said no
would give I per cent The mayor hero
entered the breach and IN an address Of
considerable passion warned Mr. lorkos
ol the dangers ut q stand on small matters.
lie spoke, be- said, as the rcprcp.cniatiye
IT the public. Mr. Norkcs Offered o per
cent The men refused to stay 1ho
mayor now, laughngly, moycda settlement
ol the Flill existing trouble. Neither sidc
accepted the idea, though Il evidently put
both into better humur. Alter further
parlcy Mr.. Ncrkcs ended the dispulc Ivy
suddenly proiIcring the per cent. addi-
tonnl The agreement was Immediately
clinchcd II had been placed in writing
ns matters went along and after referring
the details to arbitration, WIS promptly
signed by Mayor Roche, the men and
President lpfkrs