Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-12-18

Philadelphia, Pa, December H.
Philadelphia is still all but at the
mercy of gang of hoodlums, and the
Traction strike is not yet twenty-four
hours old. Tonight not a street car Of
the Union Traction Company is run
ming and that company controls every
line in the city with the exception of
TWO comparatively short cross-town
lines.
The police are absolutely unable to
control the mob violence OF to-day.
From early morning until dusk as each
branch line made desperate efforts to
start. howling moDs surrounded each
car. stoned and hOOted the motOrman
and conductor. smashed the windows,
cut the trolley ropes and wreaked all
possible destruction. Then the attempt
was abandoned.
The strikers took little if any part in
the work of destruction. This was in
the hands of the rowdy element. Many
persons were injured by flying missiles
and there is fear that when complete
reports have been received they will
include fatalities Thousands OF dol
lars worth of valuable property was
destroyed. Compared to the events of
the day, the streets here tonight are
quiet, although filled with surging
crowds
Five hundred extra policemen were
sworn in by Mayor Warwick tonight,
and these. with the regular force OF 3
100. will make an attempt to quell the
rioters tomorrow. They have orders
from Mayor Warwick to carry their
batons unsheathed. Should this fail
the Governor will be appealed to to or
der out the militia. The city's execu-
tive declared tonight in unmistakable
terms that the strike is no longer
contest between a railway company and
its employees. but a battle between the
city and violence, and the city will win
if it takes the United States army.
The situation is the gravest the city
has ever been called upon TO encoun-
ter. Tonight the staff officers of the
National Guard of Pennsylvania are in
their armOries uniformed and armed in
case of need. Three proelamations
were issued by Mayor Warwick this
afternoon. First ne appealed 10 all
good citizens to assist the authorities in
maintaining order and TO that end to
refrain from gathering in crowds on
the streets. Secondly, he ordered the
summary closing Of all liquor saloons,
and thirdly he asked all women and
children to stay at home.
The war itself remains unchanged.
The traction leaders refuse to listen 10
any suggestion from the other side, and
indeed no effort is being made in that
direction The strikers are firm and
determined to fight It to the bitter end.
Three mass meetings were held tonight
in various parts Of the city. They have
almost universal sympathy, not only
from conservative citizens who while
deprecating violence, declare that the
strikers have right on their side, but
from labor unioins throughout the city.
J. J. Sullivan, president OF the Elec-
trio Traction. one of the branch lines,
was recognized by a mob at Fourth and
Market streets this afternoon, and the
clothes were almost torn from his back
before policemen rescued him.
Separate letters Were sent to the May
or this afternoon by Mr.. Welsh, Mr..
Sullivan and William II. Shelmerdine,
president of the Peoples line, declaring
that the city and county will be held
responsible for the value of the prop
erty destroyed to-day.
President w. d. MahOn, of the Ma
tiOnal Amalgamated Association of
Street Railway Employees, who is con-
trolling the strike made a statement 20
the public tonight. He declared that
the strikers were in no way to blame for
to-day's disturbances; that the disorder
and destruction to property was the
work of persons not connected with
them. The committee decided also to
again caution the men against violence
and to request them to use their best
endeavors to protect the company's
property. The company, ne added, was
alone responsible for the trouble by re-
fus.ng to listen either to the employees
or the Citizens Committee.
Il is impossible to learn tonight
whether or not an attempt to start any
cars Will be made Tomorrow
On the dozen divisions of the COM
p3ny to-day, an aggregate of about
fifJy-siX cars were sent out. The total
number in The service Of the company
IS $500.
The entire road covers about 500
miles and over 5000 men are en-
ployed. Tonight, about 5000 of these
are out. There are all sorts of rumors.
One is that the electricians of the COM
pany will join the ranks of the mal-con-
tents. Another that armies of railway
workers are bound for this city from
Brooklyn, Baltimore, Indianapolis and
other points, either to assist or take
the places Of the strikers.
Over a hundred arrests were made
to-day and nearly all the prisoners were
held for a hearing tomorrow. One
youth, not a striker, was held in $4,000
bail. f0r cutting The rope on mail CT
He Will be a government prisoner.
Large details of police are on duty at
every car stable and at points along the
principal thoroughfares.
Not only riding. but walking, was next
to impossible on Chestnut street TO-
day.
THE WHOLE POPULATION
seemed to be on this and neighboring
thorOughfares. and in the way peculiar
to the public seemed 10 enjoy the eX-
citement when Il was out Of reach OF
fving stones. For several hours the
street was practically at the mercy Of
the mob. Holiday shoppers sought side
streets and some merchants boarded
I'D their windows. About two o'clock
the Traction officials attempted to oper-
ate the Chestnut street line. The cars
reached a point east of Broad and from
that s-reer 10 Eight street, a distance OF
six blocks about twelve cars were