The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-15
BIG STREET CAR TIE UP.
THE DRIVERS AND COND UCTORS or
A WASHINGTON LINE STRIKE.
A. Result of n Reduction In Wages aud
for shorter Hours-A Compro-
mise Effected.

WASHINGTON, Dec. l4.-Washlngton
has big street railroad strike on its
hands. The road affected is the Metro
politan Street Railroad Company, which
traverses the best residential part OF the
city, and communicates with the Capitol.
The strike took place about Z. NJ, to-
day at the time Of the heaviest traffic
when thousands of Government employees
were leaving the various exec lttve de-
partments for their homes. II was
brought about by a notification given the
drivers and conductors last night that
their wages would be cut from SOB per
day to Sits. Further than this, the men
have a grievance with regard to the num-
Der of hours they work. Twelve hours
is supposed to constitute a days service,
but the men claim that they are compell-
ed to work thirteen and fourteen hours
without relief or intermission, or the prV-
lege OF leaving the car even for ive min
utes for meals, or for any other purpose
CAUSE OF THE REDUCTION.
The striking employees have the fun sym
pathy OF Washington Some years ago
Congress enacted law providing that
this and other companies dispense with
horses and provide some other motive
power. The other chief railroad COM
piled with the provisions, but the Metro
politan company, on various preteXts, Sc
cured an extension Of time. senator
Hale and others roundly denounced the
company I'm this, and Congress made 1t
obligatory on the company TO change It's
motive power within few months. The
expense entailed By this change is one
OF the reasons given by the company Tor
taking the cost out Of the wages Of its
employees.
At O'cock all the streets traversed by
the road were blOckaded with driverless
cars. The president of the company
came to the scene ana attempted TO get
the cars going. The police We're brought
into play, and one or two cars were START
ed by their aid. After they had been
moved, the crowd became somewhat dis
orderly. and charged around the leading
car until the police used main force TO
clear the streets patrol wagon was
called out and Lrove through the streets
10 keep a clearing.
MANY CARS DERAILED.
Two staiwart-looking men rushed up
TO the front car, placed their shouldersa
10 the rear platform and lifted il or the
the track, then disappearing in the crowd.
This seemed 10 be Il signal for more such
work All the way down the line cars
were lifted from the track and placed at
various angles. until the climax was
reached at Thirteenth and + streets,
where one car was hauled directly across
the street. The crowds We're all with
the strike $. and when President Phillips
appeared along the tracks he was greet
ed with boots and jeers.
The road remained blocked for several
hours, when, finding that the men could
not be prevailed upon 20 continue their
trips. the cars were returned 10 the
barns.
COMPROMISE EFFECTED.
Late tonight a conference was held
between the strikers and railroad officers
and an agreement was reached. The men
compromised on $l.75 per day, Of twelve
hours All the strikers will be taken
hack. The line will resume its operations
to-rn,rrov, tnorptug AZ uguai.