The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-23
PHILADELPHIA Was QUIET
No Cars Were Operated by the Trac-
tiOn Company Yesterday.
PEACE CONFERENCE IN SESSION
Traction Officials Refuse to Recognize
Representatives Of the Amaleamatcd
Association Business Has Been
Killed by Strike Trouble Ahead.

Philadelphia, Dec. 22-For the first
time since last Tuesday when the strike
of the motormen and conductors of the
Union Traction company began peace
and quiet today reigned in the streets
of Philadelphia. This was due to the
decision Of the Traction company to
make no attempt to run any OF it's cars
today. This decision was adhered to.
Since Tuesday the police force of the
city has been on duty almost continu-
ously and the lull In hostilities today
afforded the men a much needed rest.
The strikers held a long meeting this
afternoon behind closed doors and the
probable result Of this meeting was seen
tonight and a committee representing
the strikers and officials of the Union
Traction company held q long confer
ence at the offices Of the company at
Eighth and Dauphin streets. At mid
night the result of this conference is
still in doubt.
The st,ikers were represented on
their committee by President Mahon,
OF the Amalgamated association OF
street railway employees; Chairman
Lutz, of the strikers executive commit
tee: George Chance. Of the Typogra PHI
ical union. and George Grifith, of the
Christian League. When this commit
tee presented itself at the Offices of the
company the traction officials refused
to recognize Mr.. Mahon and Mr. Lutz
and these two walked the streets out
side, while Mr.. Griffith and Mr.. Chance
conferred with the railway people. A
proposition was laid before the traction
officials and this was met by a counter
proposition. A long discussion followed
and at 1880 the strikers committee re-
turned to the strikers headquarters for
further instructions.
1t Is the earnest hope of the majority
OF the citizens Of Philadelphia that a
compromise of some sort shall be
reached at once, as the strike has al
ready cost the city Indirectly hundreds
OF thousands of dollars. Aside from the
direct expenses of the strike the holi-
day trade has been practically killed
and the merchants of this city are
clamoring for an end.
Welsh WOuld Not Arbitratc.
John Lowber Welsh, president of the
Union Traction company, who has been
reported as being the man who has
stood in the way Of all attempts at ar
bitratiOn through his absolute refusal
to recognize the Amalgamated associa-
ton Of street reailway employees, to-
night issued a statement to the public
giving his version Of the trouble and
claiming that there was no dissatis-
faction among his employees until labor
agitatOrs stirred them uD to strike
Mr.. Welsh practically says in his state
ment that his company will never re-
cognize the Amalgamated association
and that this may be the rock upOn
which tOnights negotiations for a set
tlement may split upon. If settlement
Is not reached tonight the company
purposes to operate its Market and
N ND T
branches tomorrow at all hazards.
In anticipation of further trouble IN.
morrow the mayor tonight swore in 500
more special policemen and these will
give him force Of 5000 men al his COM
mand. Mayor Warwick said today: "As
matters stand today my duty as chief
executive officer is to preserve the
peace and order of this city and I VIII
do this with all the force at my COM
mand, and. II necessary. I will bring to
my assistance all the force that can be
brought into requisition under the law,
be II state or national. Life and prop
erty shall be protected by the strong
arm of the law. Iawlessness is anarchy
and that will not be permitted under
any circumstances"
II a settlement is not reached tonight
greater trouble may be expected tomOr-
row. The spirit of bitterness against
the traction company has increased and
the importation of men from other
cities has intensified this feeling.
The committee representing the strik-
ers were in conference with the officials
Of the company and who left the COM
pany's offices for the strikers head
quarters to consult with the strikers
executive committee. left the headquar-
ters shortly after o'clock for the COM
pany's offices. They stated to the men
in waiting at headquarters that they
might az well 90 home as there would
be no settlement Of the question until
some time during the day as they would
not be able to submit their proposition
looking to a settlement of the strike to
the company's officers until some time
later this morning
Left with Manager Dsetem.
President welsh Of the Union Traction