Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-07
CHIEF BROWNS HAND.
BE at Last Secures a Conference for
the Traction Strikers.
THE ROAD is UNDER OBLIGATIONS.
A Tie-Up of Freight Trains on the Little
Sawmill Run Railway.
TIN ROOFERS TO ASK FOR MORE WAGES

A conference has at last been arranged
between the knights of Labor and the Off
cials of the Pittsburg Traction Compeny.
From the present indications settlement of
the gripmen's strike is probable and the
strikers will, at their ball tonight dance
with lighter hearts than they have had for
nearly six weeks. After many days of dis
appointment trying to secure hearing with
the officials of the traction company, they
have secured the promise of the president of
the road that their case will be considered at
meeting of the board of directors In this
city either next Tuesday or Tuesday week.
Yesterday morning President Elkins re-
ceived visit from j. o. Brown, Chief OF
the Department of Public Safety, and
Clarence Burleigh, Esq, assistant city So
licitor. The two city officials have inter-
ested themselves in the matter and say they
will use their influence to enable the employees
to secure their rights Chief Brown told Pres
ident ElkinS number of things he was prob
ably aware of and asked the President to give
the men hearing even il he did not want to
re-employ them. Chief Brown said:
BROWNS POINTED TALK.
'Your company has received probably more
favors than any street railway company ever
allowed to operate in this city. You we're given
the use of the best street in Pittsburg, and in
many other ways have received tavors from the
city. The road is practically owned by outside
capital, and In coming in here, you asked for
certain privileges and rights. In giving these,
Councils undoubtedly expected that you would
appreciate the privileges and conduct your bus
mess accordingly. Among other things one
ciproclty, would be the proper treatment of our
citizens in your employ.
THE men who are now out on strike are
honest citizens OF Pittsburg, and request that
you give them a hearing. We do not ask that
you take them back into your employ. but
petition that you in all fairness hear what they
have to say. it will do no harm to grant them
an interview, and by holding a conference it
may smooth over the bitter feeling now exist
ing between the company and your old men.
They have conducted themselves as peaceable
citizens, and there was no apparent reason for
their discharge. do not know the details of
the case, and am not familiar with the trouble.
have been asked as the head of the Depart
ment of Public Safety to use what influence
have to patch up the trouble, and this is the
reason why am here"
NOTHING AGAINST THEM.
Mr.. Burleigh also talked in the same strain,
and asked what report they could make to the
strikers committee. Mr.. Elkins said they had
nothing against the strikers, and if there was
any trouble the officials of the company would
be glad to try and fix it up. He knew the COM
pany had been granted certain privileges IN the
city, and, of course, they appreciated what had
been given them. He said the Board of Direct
ors of the company would meet in this city next
week or the week following, and ther would re-
ceive any committee that waited on them. The
date of the meeting has not yet been fixed, but
it will be held either next Tuesday or Tuesday
week
Several of the strikers were seen in Oakland
yesterday afternoon. They were, Of course,
jubilant at the prospect of a conference. The
few spoken to did not anticipate that the 20
men now out on strike would be benefited to
any great extent, on account of the way the
company has acted toward their organization.
The strikers have been trying to arrange a
conference with the officials of the road for
weeks. They have been put on from time to
time and when they thought they bad a chance
for an interview with President Elkins they
found the latter had gone to Philadelphia
Some of them wanted to make up purse and
send committee after him, hoping that they
could secure an interview with P. A. B. Widener
almost given up every thought of a conference
when they got Chief Brown and his able legal
counsel interested.
From the indications there will be large
crowd at the strikers ball at Imperial Hall.
The dancing will continue until or o'clock
tomorrow morning. This will be done to give
other street car men a chance to enjoy the fes-
tivities after they are through their runs. The
strikers will reap handsome sum from the
ball.