St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-10-26
THE EARLIER SITUATION.

Ever since last June, when the street
car employees rebelled against being
compelled to pay for damages which
might occur to the cars by accident,
runaway teams, etc., while in service.
the relations between the company and
its employees have been Strained. That
demand was so unjust that public senti-
ment was almost unanimous against the
company, and after few hours tie-up
it was very properly rescinded. But the
contest left its sting on both sides, which
has ranked ever since. The company
felt the humiliation OF defeat. and. the
men foresaw that their victory was
liable to lead to more stubborn con-
test on other lines.
That contest is now at hand, and the
strong probability is that when these
lines are being read the street car
transportation both in ST. Paul and
Minneapolis will be sadly disarranged,
and perhaps almost entirely suspended.
As the correspondence appended
shows. it was the original intention of
the men to strike Sunday if their de-
mand for union recognition was refused,
but they evidently expected there
might be some opportunity for negotia-
tions leading to a compromise. The
company having, without ceremony.
refused 10 consider their demands, the
best information obtainable at this writ
ing is that all of the union employees
will refuse to work this morning, and
that the car service OF the Twin Cities
will be substantially imperative today.
In Mr.. Lowry's appeal to the public.
hereto appended, he does not indicate
that any attempt has been or will be
made to harmoniZe matters with the
present employees, and the pres
ent outlook is stubborn
fight, with the public greatly
inconvenienced and business much
interfered with and retarded. The COM
pany declines to state what arrange
ments it has made to fill the places of
those who do not go to work this
morning, but the kilograms from
Chicago in yesterdays GLOBE indi-
cate that men are to be imported
who have had some experience rather
than rely on the large number out Of
work in the Twin Cities. As the orig
inal notice of the men fixed Sunday as
the time for the tie-up, the company
may not have their new supply ready,
and that is why it is probable the men
will spring their coup d'etat by decIin-
ing to start the cars today.
The secrecy maintained on both sides
leaves good deal to conjecture, but if
you have to walk this morning you will
understand that the strike is on-three
days ahead of time.
The contest seems TO be substantially
shorn of all question of wages, but is
to be fought out on demand for union
recognition. Mayor Eustis. of Min
neapolis, succeeded in averting the
issue last June, but the evil
day was only postponed. Unfortunately
Mayor Eustis' recent accident prevents
his being active as a peacemaker, and
the municipal head OF st. Paul does not
possess the caliber necessary to cut
any figure in the premises.
While both sides will suffer from the
contest, the public will be the greatest
sufferer, and taxpayers may some
times wonder just why the streets
were given away without requiring diff
ferences between the private corpora
ton now owning the streets and its
employees to be settled by an arbitration
board provided by law.
The appended document tells the
story of the issue up TO date.
LOWRY's GARD 10 PUBLIC.